Garia Dance : The life and culture
of Tripuris revolve around Jhum(shifting) cultivation. When the sowing of seeds
at a plot of land selected for Jhum is over by middle of April, they pray to
the God 'Garia' for a happy harvest. The celebrations attached to the Garia
Puja continue for seven days when they seek to entertain their beloved deity
with song and dance.
Lebang Boomani Dance : After the Garia festival is over, the Tripuris
have a time to rest awaiting the monsoon. During this period, folks of charming
colorful insects called 'Lebang' use to visit hill slopes in search of seeds
sewn on it. The annual visit of the insects renders the tribal youths to indulge
in merry-making. While the men-folk make a peculiar rhythmic sound with the
help of two bamboo chips in their hand, the women folk run tottering the hill
slopes to catch hold of these insects called 'Lebang'. The rhythm of the sound
made by the bamboo chips attracts the insects from their hiding places and the
women in-groups catch them. With the change of time jhuming on hill slopes are
gradually diminishing. But the cultural life that developed centering round
the jhum delved deep into the society. It still exists in the state's hills
and dales as a reminiscence of the life, which the tribal of today cherish in
memory, and preserve as treasure. In both the dances Tripuris use the musical
instruments like Khamb made of Bamboo, Flute, Sarinda, Lebang made of bamboo
and bamboo cymbal. Tripuri women generally put on indigenous ornaments like
chain made of silver with coin, Bangle made of silver, ear and nose rings made
of bronze. They prefer flower as ornaments.
Hozagiri Dance : While the theme of the dance remains almost to be the
same as of other tribes, the dance form of the Reang community is quite different
from others. The movement of hands or even the upper part of the body is somewhat
restricted, whereas the movement beginning from their waist down to their feet
creates a wonderful wave. Standing on an earthen pitcher with a bottle on the
head and a lighted lamp on it, when the Reang belle dance twisting rhythmically
the lower part of the body, the dance bewilders the onlookers. The Reangs also
use the musical Instruments like Khamb, Flute made of bamboo and bamboo cymbal.
The Reang women prefer to put on black Pachra and Rea. Reang women put on coins
ring, which generally covers their entire upper region. They also put on rings
made of coin in their ears. They are fond of fragrant flowers as ornaments to
metal things.
Bizu Dance : This popular form of dance is characteristic of the Chakma
community. Bizu means 'Chaitra-Sankranti'. 'Chaitra-Sankranti' denotes end of
Bengali calendar year. It is during this period when the Chakmas sing and dance
to bid good-bye to the year just being ended and welcome the new year. The dance
is beautifully orchestrated with the rhythm playing of what is known as 'Khenggarang'
and 'Dhukuk' sorts of flutes. The Chakma women are fond of flower, which they
often use in their hair. They also use metal ornaments.
Hai-Hak Dance : Like other tribal community of this State the social
and economic life of the Halam community also revolve around jhum cultivation.
At the end of the harvesting season the Malsum traditionally adore Goddess Laxmi.
They enjoy this festive occasion for their famous Hai-Hak dance. It is also
a community dance with exquisite beauty. Rhythms of the dance reflect the tradition
inherited from distant past.
Wangala Dance : After the happy harvest 'Wangala'(1-st rice eating ceremony)
is performed in every houses. The Sangnakma, head of the communities visits
every house and cuts a pumpkin as a part of worship. This pumpkin is sacrificed
on this occasion. After that the women dance to the beat of 'Dama' and 'Aaduri'
made of buffalo horn. The dance projects the rehearsal for war.
Welcome Dance : The Lusai girls are well dressed. They generally wear
their colorful cloth. They performed welcome dance whenever any visitor pay
visits to their house. This is very colorful dance where young girls of the
entire community take part. Their dress is so colorful that the ornaments are
not very much required except fragrant flowers.
Cheraw Dance : The Darlong reposes faith in after life. They believe
that man is destined to go to Haven after death. Incidentally, they think that
if a pregnant woman dies, she feels it very difficult, with all her physical
strains, to track the long journey to Heaven. Hence at the last stage of her
pregnancy - in fact just at the time or immediately prior to delivery all her
relatives perform this 'Cheraw' dance in-group throughout day and night so as
to instill confidence in the mind of that woman. They are firm in their belief
that even if the woman dies at this juncture. It will be possible for her to
go Heaven with the courage and confidence together with joy gained through the
sound of bamboo as the rhythm of the dance produced till her death.
Way (Lamp) Festival : The people of Mog community observe austerity from
the full moon of Bengali month of Ashad down to the full moon Bengali month
of Ashwin. Generally no auspicious occasion of Ashad down to the full moon of
Bengali month of Ashwin. Generally no auspicious occasion like marriage is celebrated
during the period. Even the married women do not go to their parents' house
during this time. 'Way' festival is celebrated on the day of full moon of the
Bengali month of Ashwin. Lamps dedicated to the Lord Buddha are launched on
this day. The young boys and girls stand in rows with lamps in hand to worship
the Lord Buddha. The youngsters indulge in merriment through songs and dances
in the premises of Buddha temple. The traditional dance of the Mog community
is known as 'Way Dance' or 'Lamp Dance'.
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