Some of the major
dances of Mizoram are Cheraw, Khuallam, Chheih Hla (Chheih lam) and
Sawlakia. Besides these, various dances like Chai, Rallu Lam,
Sarlamkai and Par lam are also performed. These dances are performed
on certain festivals, marriages or any other occasions.
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Cheraw |
Cheraw is the most
colourful and distinctive dance of the Mizos. This dance was
brought by the forefathers of Mizos when they left their homes
in far-east Asia. In earlier days, the dance was performed to
ensure a safe passage for the departed souls of mothers who died
at childbirth, so that she may enter the abode safely. But
nowadays, Cheraw dance is performed on any occasion. Cheraw is a
dance of sanctification and redemption performed with great
care, precision and elegance.
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In
this dance, long bamboo sticks are used, so it is also
known as the Bamboo Dance. The dancers step
alternatively in and out from between and across a pair
of horizontal bamboos, held against the ground by people
sitting face to face on either side, in a graceful
manner. They tap the bamboos in rhythmic beats. The
bamboos, placed horizontally, are supported by two
bases, one at each end. The bamboos, when clapped,
produce a sound which forms the rhythm of the dance. The
patterns and stepping of the dance have many vibrations.
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Khuallam |
In Mizo language, Khual means a guest and lam means dance. So,
Khuallam is the dance of the guest. The Mizos, in the
pre-Christian days, believed that the soul, after death went
either to 'Pialral' or paradise, or 'Mitthi Khua', a land of
sorrow and misery. To have a place in paradise, one had to prove
one's mettle either in war or in hunting or by being a man of
distinction in society. To claim a distinguished place in society,
one had to perform various ceremonies which included offering
community feasts and dances. These ceremonies performed together,
were known as 'Khuangchawi'. While performing Khuangchawi one was
obliged to invite relatives from nearby villages. So, the guests
entered the arena of the Khuangchawi. The dance is performed by
men dressed in Puandum, to the tune of gongs and drums. |
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Chheih Lam |
The Chheih Lam
dance is performed over a round of rice beer. This dance is
performed on any occasion, usually in the evenings. It
symbolizes the end of a day’s work on the fields. The lyrics in
triplets are normally fresh and on the spot compositions,
representing their heroic deeds and escapades and also praising
the honoured guests. It is a dance that embodies the spirit of
joy and exhilaration. The Chheih lam dance is performed on the
Chheih hla song. The song is sung to the beats of a drum or
bamboo tube or clapping of hands. People squat on the floor in a
circle while a dancer stands in the middle reciting a song with
various movements of limbs and body. An expert Chheih dancer
performs his part in such a manner that the people around him
leave their seats and join the dance.
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Sawlakia |
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The Sawlakia dance
was performed mainly by the people of the Maras and Pawi
communities of Mizoram. Like Rallu lam, Sawlakia was also
performed in earlier times to celebrate a victory in war. The
dance is marked with five principal movements, and recapture the
actions of a hero at war. Men and women stand in profile, while
the hero, holding a sword and a shield, dances in the middle on
the gong beats. |
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Chai |
Chai is a festival dance. It is a community dance where men and
women stand one after another in a circle, and hold each other on
the shoulder and the nape. The dancers dance and swing their feet
to the tune of the song, sung in chorus by all of them, while a
drummer and gongman beat their instruments used in the dance. The
Chai dance presents a grand show, but is not performed on the
stage. In olden days, the Chai dancers used to consume rice-beer
continuously while dancing, so they did not know when to stop. |
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Rallu Lam |
Rallu Lam is not a dance, but is rather a celebration or a rite in
honour of a victorious warrior. When a warrior comes back after a
successful campaign, he is given a warm and colourful welcome by
the village Chief. The celebration consists of a re-enactment of
the warrior's heroic exploits. The mode of celebration varies from
village to village. |
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Sarlamkia |
Sarlamkai is one of the most impressive community dances of Mizos
and a variation of Sawlakia dance. The two dances are almost same.
But, the only difference is in their dress and tempo. No song is
sung, only gongs or cymbals or drums are used. Nowadays, Sarlamkai
has been taken up by most of the schools in Mizoram for cultural
activities. |
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Par Lam |
The Par lam is a new dance and has become a part of the Mizo
culture. In the Par lam dance, the girls dressed in colourful
dresses, with flowers tucked in their hair, dance to the tune of
songs sung by themselves. The principal movement in the dance
involves the waving of hands. A couple of boys provide music by
playing guitars. |
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