| Dance
Dancing is natural to the Naga tribes. It is full of vigour and
vitality. Strangely it is the monopoly of men, except in Zeliang tribe
where women join with their men folk in dancing. There is nothing like
individual performance. Naga dancing is always in a group. It is
difficult to generalize, but roughly it could be said that the artists
first slowly enter the arena or stage, make a circle or any other geometrical
formation and gradually work up tempo with the stamping of feet, interspersed
with clapping and chanting of some formula. The spear, dao or the shield
are swung to the rhythm of the dance. After the climax is reached, the
tempo is brought down again and there is a satisfying finale. The beauty
of the dances is heightened by the colourful costumes. The zeliang dance
is particularly artistic.
The Zemis of North Cachar hills are very fond of dances.
There are a number of dances and each with a different na me.
They are named after the manner in which hands and feet are executed to
resemble the movements of a bird or an insect or an animal. For example,
Nruirolians known as 'cock dance' is the dance which resembles the
trait of a cock, Gethinglim or 'cricket dance' is a dance in which
hands are moved to and fro. Some what resembling the movement of the insect Temangnetin or
the 'fly dance'; Hetateulee or the 'bear dance', which was usually done
by men when defeating enemies. All these dances are performed with the
accompaniment of songs and music. Drums and cymbals are beaten at regular
intervals while the singers array themselves on one side or form a circle
so as to allow space for the dancers in the centre. Songs which are generally
and commonly sung by both young and old alike may be classified as follows. |
