Karbi Youth Festival is an annual festival celebrated by the Karbi People living in East and West Karbi Anglong district and other districts in the Northeast Indian state of Assam, with occasional participation from other tribes and states of Northeastern India. It is considered the oldest ethnic festival in India. It is organised by Karbi Cultural Society (KCS). It is locally known as "Karbi Riso-Nimso Rong Aje".
In 1974, the first edition of the festival was held at Diphu Club, Diphu. Its aim were to preserve the dying culture and traditional attires and folk songs and dances of Karbi tribal. The event was formed by a group of people led by Roy Inghi, with Late Janasing Terang, Lunse Timung, Lawrence Teron, and others. In 1977, Karbi Cultural Society (KCS) was formed in response to management of the festival, and as an entity to preserve, look after the cultural and traditions of Karbis.
Historically, the festival was celebrated in and around the district of Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong. Moving from one place to another place, each year, to rise awareness for preservation of tribal culture and traditions. There was no specific month and date, nor periodic. It was held twice in the year 1985, January and December (eleven months apart), and none in the year 1977 (thirteen months apart). Since 1994, the event has permanently shifted to Taralangso, Diphu.
Since 1994, Taralangso, also called Karbi People Hall (KPH), has been hosting the annual events of Karbi Youth Festival (from 20th edition). The location now has an Cultural museum, 4 Open stages platform, Indoor stage hall, Artisan village, 3 Helipad, Inspection Bungalow (IB), Guest House, Eco-Park, a Garden, and 2 playground, beside 3 pond, parking space, KCS office, and quarters.
The main event is held/celebrated on 15âÂÂ19 February of every year in Karbi Peoples Hall (KPH), Taralangso situated in Diphu town in Karbi Anglong district of the Indian state of Assam.
Concurrently, various traditional songs, dances competitions take place at four open stages during the length of the festival.
Smaller festivals called Zonal Karbi Youth Festival (ZKYF) are celebrated in their respective regions, during late autumn, pre-harvesting season of rice, before coming together for main cultural events cum yearly festival at Taralangso, Diphu. The winner of each zone get to compete in the yearly main event. Zonal festivals was conceived around the time when the main festival was permanently settled at now Taralangso. Recently, these festivals are held alongside Durga Puja to minimise local holidays. , it has completed its edition.