On Tribal Pride Day, artists from the northeastern states will show a glimpse of their culture
Wangla-Rungla, Ret-Kinong, Geh Padam A Na-Nyi E and Solakiya tribal dances will be presented
Raipur 13 November 2024: In the grand event of two-day Tribal Pride Day at the Science College Ground in the capital Raipur, artists from the northeastern states along with different states of the country will also show a glimpse of their culture. Artists from five states of Northeast India, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim have reached Raipur to perform in the program organized on 14-15 November. The artists were welcomed with garlands and tilak at Raipur railway station. These artists from the northeastern states will spread the various colors of their culture by presenting folk dances like Wangla-Rungla, Ret-Kinong, Geh Padam A Na-Nyi E, Solakiya.
Garo tribals perform Wangla-Rungla dance after harvesting, thank the deity Missy Saljong. A team of 20 members from Meghalaya has come to Raipur to perform on Tribal Pride Day. This team will present the Wangla-Rungla folk dance performed by the Garo tribe after harvesting. Its artists have come from North Curve Hills, about 200 km from Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya. Mr. Mansen Momin, who is leading the team, said that Wangla is a popular festival of the Garo tribe. This tribe is dependent on agricultural economy. They perform this dance to thank Missy Saljong, the god of fertility, after harvesting. They thank God for providing the crop, worship him and pray by dancing and singing and offer the new crop as bhog. No agricultural product is used before thanking the deity Missy Saljong.
Both men and women participate in the Wangla-Rungla tribal folk dance. Male dancers dance with their traditional drum called Dama. In Wangla-Rungla folk dance, the leader of the dancers is called Grikgipa or Toregipa. In this, women move their hands to the tune of music, while men dance by playing their traditional drum.Solkiya is a dance to celebrate victory over enemies, the dance is performed with vocal music like chanting
The folk dance team that reached Raipur from Aizawl, the capital of Mizoram, will perform the Solkiya dance here. Its 20-member team includes 11 men and nine women. This dance is mainly performed by the Mara tribe of Mizoram. ‘Solkiya’ means the severed head of the enemy. Solkiya dance was originally performed to celebrate victory over enemies. Especially on the occasion when the enemy’s head was brought home as a trophy by the winner. But now it is performed by men and women of Mizo communities on all important occasions.
Mr. Jothmazam, who led the team of artists from Mizoram, said that the Solakiya dance was originated by the Piwi and Lakher communities. The vocal music that accompanies this folk dance is closer to chanting than singing. The rhythm music is provided by a pair of gongs, one bigger than the other, called darkhuang. Several pairs of cymbals are also played to enhance the music.Shri Jothmazam said about the Mara tribe that performs this dance, it is a Kuki tribe that lives in the Lushai Hills of Mizoram and the Chin Hills of Myanmar. They are also known by the names Lakher, Shendu, Maring, Zu, Tlosai and Khongzai.
