Mizoram has an ancient and incredibly rich
tradition with dances which reflect the
amalgamation of centuries of cross-cultural
inputs. The indigenous festivals of this
beautiful state mirror it's diverse heritage
during the celebration of the seasonal cycle
of sowing and harvesting.
'Kut' is the Mizo word for
'Festival'. Since Mizos are agriculturist in
occupation, all the festivals are closely
associated with agricultural activities. The
major festivals of the Mizos are
Chapchar
Kut(March),
Mim Kut &
Pawl Kut (November/December) and
Thalfavang
Kut
(November).
Various indigenous musical instruments used
during these festivities as accompaniments
such as the "tingtang" (Guitar), a string
instrument and the "Phenglawng" ( a flute).
The revivalist movement of old traditions has
been the reappearance of love songs and
lullabies originating from the time of the
great migrations from Burma.
Chapchar
Kut
»
At the end of February, when winter starts
receding, the Mizos prepare the land for fresh
planting. There are few days of relaxation
before the serious business of sowing starts
and that is when the Chapchar Kut festival is
celebrated with gaiety and fervour. A spring
festival, this is the most important festival
and the only one regularly observed during the
first week of March in Mizoram.
On this day people of all ages, young and old,
men and women dressed in their colorful
costumes and distinctive head gears and
jewelries, assemble and perform various folk
dances, singing traditional songs accompanied
by beating of drums, gongs and cymbals.
They dance in joyous celebration of life, each
team displaying the best of its region. These
are generally group dances with a lot of
bonhomie and courting woven into them. Some
dances are strictly martial danced by strong
virile warriors with their weapons and
trophies.
One dance perennially popular is the Cheraw or
the "bamboo dance" so called as long bamboo
staves are used for this dance. This is the
most colourful and distinctive dance of the
Mizos requiring skill and an alert mind to
perform.
The other main dances performed during
Chapchar Kut are Khuallam, Chheihlam, Chai and
Sarlamkai.
"Khual lam" is an auspicious dance performed
by a group of dancers celebrating new
beginnings. It is also a welcome dance for
guests during community festivities. To attain
a position of distinction, a Mizo had to go
through a series of ceremonies and perform
many feats of heroic deeds. These ceremonies
are always accompanied by a feast and to this
feast, friends from nearby villages are
invited - hence, Khuallam is the dance for the
visitors or guests.
The "Chheih lam" is another community dance
performed by both men and women. The war dance
"Solakia", a prerogative of the male
population of the community, is accompanied by
rhythmic beating of the drums.
Exhibition and sale of indigenous Handloom and
Handicraft products and other tourist
attractions like flower show, food festival,
musical competition and different traditional
games are also organized during the Chapchar
Kut festival.
Mim
Kut & Pawl Kut
»
These festivals are celebrated in the last
week of November or the first week of December
(part of the tourist season) to celebrate the
completion of the harvesting season. The
entire community joins in the celebration with
great enthusiasm, joy and feasting.
Traditional folk dances, songs and games are
performed during the festival.
Thalfavang
Kut »
Mizoram celebrates the festival of
Thalfavang Kut every November. This festival
is celebrated after the completion of weeding
of the land in preparation for the forthcoming
harvesting season. This festival also depicts
the cultural heritage and the traditional
games of the Mizo. It has given the community
an opportunity to come together and renew old
bonds and ties.
Christmas
»
Since the majority of the population is
Christian, Christmas is one of the most
important events of the Mizos. This festival
is usually celebrated from 24th December to
26th December. Christmas Eve is celebrated on
the 24th followed by celebrations in the
church on the 25th of December. On the last
day a great feast is organized where everyone
from children to adults take part with great
fervor and festivities. |
