Dances Of Nagaland

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 shields 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 name. 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.