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The folk dance of any place tells us about its cultural values and traditions. The folk dance of a place is taught to the younger generation of that place to keep its history and culture alive.
Various types of dance forms are performed in Mizoram. The common dance forms of Mizoram are Chailam, Cheraw, Khuallam, Bamboo dance, and many more. Every dance form has its unique style and is performed at different times of the year during different festivals. Some of the dance forms are performed by both males and females. The most unique dance form of Mizoram is the Bamboo dance or the Cheraw Dance.
Major Folk Dances of Mizoram
Cheraw Dance – This dance form is also known as the bamboo dance and is one of the oldest dance forms of Mizoram. In this, 6 to 8 males hold a pair of bamboo sticks in their hands horizontally on bamboos placed on the ground. The males then clap the bamboos in a rhythm for the females to step on the space between the beating bamboos. The costume for the Cheraw Dance form includes Vakiria, Kawrchei, Puanchei, Khumbu, and Mizo shawl.
Khuallam Dance – This dance form is performed during the festival of Khuangchawi and is also referred to as a community dance. The word Khula means guest and Lam means dance. In this dance form guests from neighbouring villages are invited to perform. The most interesting part of this dance is that it is performed only on the sound of Darby and no other song is played. The costume for this dance form is Puandum, which is handwoven.
Chaim Dance – This dance form is performed by the tribal community of Mizoram. It is performed during the Chapchar Kut festival in Mizoram. It is performed both by males and females. The males and females stand alternatively in a circle. The females hold the waist of the males and the males hold the shoulders of the females. They dance to the tunes of drums and Mithun horns. The musician and the instruments occupy the centre of the circle formed by the performers. The Chaim dance form is further divided into 4 different types Chailam I, Chailam II, Chailam III, and Chailam IV. The female performers wear vibrant colored traditional dresses along with jewellery.
Chhieh Lam Dance – This dance form shows us the rich culture of the elite class of Mizoram. The term Chhieh means exclamation of joy and lam means dance. It is also a community dance. In this dance form, people sit in a circle on their heels while a dancer is positioned in the middle of the circle. The dancer in the middle recites a song with movements of its body parts like the limb. The song Chhieh Hla is used during this dance form. Chheih Hla is a simple song , it has only a single stanza with 3 lines. The dancers were costumes in vibrant colours, paired with jewellery.
Chawnglaizawn Dance – It is performed by the Pawi community. This dance form is performed in 2 different conditions. One condition is that the husband dances to this on the death of his wife, accompanied his friends and relatives to mourn the death of his wife. Another condition is when a hunter returns with a triumphant hunt. The girls and boys dance to the beats of drums.
Tlanglam Dance – This dance form is performed by both men and women to the music of Puma. It is a group dance. The performers wear colourful vibrant dresses and headgear.
Zangtalam Dance – It is a community dance form performed by the Paihte tribe. The performers dance and sing simultaneously to the beats of drums. Generally, male dancers stand in front of the female dancers in a straight line. The female dancers wear colourful dresses with necklaces and earrings.
Conclusion
Various types of dance forms are performed in Mizoram. The common dance forms of Mizoram are Chailam, Cheraw, Khuallam, and many more. Every dance form has its unique style and is performed at different times of the year during different festivals. The people of Mizoram celebrate their festivals through dancing and singing with the whole community.
Few dance forms are performed by both men and women. Some dance forms like Chailam are further divided into 4 different types – Chailam I, Chailam II, Chailam III, and Chailam IV. Cheraw is one of the oldest and most famous dance forms also known as the Bamboo dance. It is performed on bamboo sticks held by the males and crossed on the ground. The females jump in and out of the bamboo sticks in a rhythmic manner.
