Folk Dances [Tripura]

• Garia

The life of Tripuris revolve around Jhum cultivation. When the sowing of seeds at a plot is over by Mid April, people pray for harvest. The celebrations continues for 7 days, they seek to amuse their deity with cultural songs and cultural dance forms.

• Hai-Hak

The Halam community practices Jhum cultivation. At the end of every harvest season the Malsum brings Goddess Laxmi for worshiping. They perform Hai-Hak dance that shows various rhythm & reflects Inherited culture of distant past heritage.

• Wangala

After harvest, ‘Wangala’ or 1st rice eating ceremony is performed in every household. The Sangnakma, who is the head of communities visits every house and cuts a pumpkin as a part of worship. Pumpkins are sacrificed on this occasion. After that the women dance to the beat of ‘Dama’ and ‘Aaduri’ made of buffalo horn. The dance projects a rehearsal for war.

• Bijhu

A dance form of Chakma community. Bijhu or ‘Chaitra Sankranti’ denotes the end of a year. Chakmas bid farewell to the previous year. The dance is elegantly orchestrated with a perfect rhythm which plays ‘Kheng-garang’, ‘Dhukuk’ and flute. Chakma women usually wear flowers on their hair along with nice metal ornaments.

• Lusai

Lusai girls are well dressed in colorful attire. They perform dances whenever any visitor pay visits to their house. A colorful dance form, where young girls of the entire community participate. Their dress compensates the need for any ornaments.