Tribal Dances of North East India display its rich culture and traditions. Most of the dances are either correlated to agriculture, Buddhism or the beginning of a New Year. These dances also present a magnificent occasion for the people belonging to different tribes to acquaintance. North East India is acknowledged for its interesting culture and miscellaneous dance forms. The states of north eastern part of India including Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh have prosperous assortment in culture as well.
Different Tribal Dances of North East India
There are several tribal dance forms that reflect the rich heritage of northeast India. Following are the different Tribal Dances of North East India:
Laho Dance: The "Pnar" tribe of Meghalaya takes part in "Laho" dance with the colourful attire. Two men stand in both side of a woman and they link each other"s arms to present in particular steps. There is a comedian who can suddenly do entertaining performance with the dance to entertain the audience.
Chang Lo Dance: The "Chang" tribe of Nagaland perform the "chang lo" dance form. It is often called "sua lua" and presented throughout the three days of "Poanglem" festival. Male dancers put on a warrior costume of "naga" tribe presenting war ways of earliest Nagaland. Female dancers wear stunning and colourful costume in contrast.
Nongkrem Dance: `Nongkrem` is a significant dance of Meghalaya. The "Khasi" tribe of Meghalaya celebrates the ripening of paddy for threshing by dances and songs.
Wangala Dance: Wangala dance of "Garo" tribe is very much popular. "Garo" tribe is the second largest tribe of Meghalaya. Wangala dance is the harvest dance by "Garo" tribal people.
Dance of the Lotha Naga: The "Lotha Naga" is one of the main tribes of Nagaland. They are renowned for their bright dances and folk songs.
Khiamniungan Dance: "Khiamniungan" is one of the minor tribes found mostly in the Tuensang district of Nagaland. "Khiamniungan" Dance is vibrant and colourful.
Jamhang Tsouthong Dance: The "Jamhang Tsouthong" tribal dance is a dance of "Khiamniungan" tribe of Nagaland. It is also one of the major tribal dances of north east India.
Wancho Dance: This is also a festival tribal dance performed by the "Wancho" tribal people of Arunachal Pradesh.
Aji Lamu Dance: The "Aji Lamu" is a tribal dance of "Monpa" tribe of Arunachal Pradesh.
This dance form is delightful regionally, nationally and internationally and is extremely acclaimed in the country.
Chalo Dance: The "Chalo" is a tribal dance form of the "Nocte" tribe of Arunachal Pradesh. The "Chalo" dance is the dance form which is exceedingly appreciated and highly praised.
Hiirii Khaniing Dance: The Hiirii Khaniing dance of "Apatani" tribe and it is one of the major tribal dances of Arunachal Pradesh.
Ponung Dance: It is the tribal dance of the "Adi" tribe who are famous for their rich cultural way of living. Ponung dance is a tribal dance of Arunachal Pradesh.
Chawnglaizawn Dance: The "Pawi" tribal of Mizoram presents the special dance form of Chawnglaizawn Dance. The Chawnglaizawn dance is presented on an exceptional event. When a wife dies the husband performs the dance of Chawnglaizawn in Mizoram.
Zangtalam Dance: The Zangtalam dance is presented by the dancers of "Paite" tribe of Mizoram. Both men and women of the community join in the dance. This traditional dance form is very musical and elegant. The dancers wear colourful traditional dresses while performing this dance.
Hozagiri Dance: Hozagiri Dance is the dance form of the Reang community of Tripura. The dancers stand on a clay pitcher with a bottle on the head and a lighted lamp on it, when the Reang belle dance twisting musically the lower part of the body, the dance bewilders the viewers.
Bizu Dance: This dance form of Tripura is a feature of the "Chakma" tribe. The dance is magnificently organized with the rhythm playing of “Khenggarang†and dhukuk sorts of flutes.
Hai-Hak Dance: It is a dance of "Halam" community of Tripura. Rhythms of the dance replicate the tradition hereditary from the past.
Kabui Dance: It is a popular form of a dance of the "Hill" tribes. It is a very colourful dance performed by young girls and boys. While dancing the boys hold big Naga "Daos" meaning knives while the girl dancers accompany the boys. The females decorate themselves with heavy ornaments with their tribal peculiarities. The Kabui dance is performed with the accompaniment of a big drum which gives a regular and broad beating of time.