The Meghalaya dance is one of the basic elements of Meghalayan culture. In Meghalaya, celebrations would seem impossible without music and dance. The Meghalayan culture heavily emphasizes dancing at events like weddings, anniversaries, and birthday celebrations. Some of their music frequently incorporates sounds from the natural world, like waterfalls, bird calls, insects buzzing, and more. The pre-Christian Khasi religion, Niam Khasi, is monotheistic in character. There are no set houses of worship like churches, temples, or mosques. According to Niam Khasi, God is present in each and every component of nature. Here in this below article, we’ve mentioned all the important Folk Dances of Meghalaya with Pictures that will help you to know the Meghalaya culture a little more.
Important Folk Dances of Meghalaya
As Meghalaya is renowned for its cultures and dance forms, You can check the most important Folk Dances of Meghalaya below.
| Dance Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Lahoo Dance | The Lahoo Dance is a traditional dance form performed by the Garo tribe of Meghalaya. It is a vigorous and rhythmic dance performed during festivals and celebrations. |
| Dorsegata Dance | Dorsegata Dance is a popular folk dance of the Khasi tribe in Meghalaya. It is performed by a group of male dancers who showcase their agility and strength through intricate footwork and acrobatic movements. The dancers wear traditional attire and feathers. |
| Nongkrem Dance | Nongkrem Dance, also known as Ka Pomblang Nongkrem, is a significant traditional dance of the Khasi community in Meghalaya. It is performed during the Nongkrem festival, which is a thanksgiving ceremony to the goddess Ka Blei Synshar for a bountiful harvest. |
| Wangala Dance | The Wangala Dance, also called the Hundred Drums Dance, is a lively folk dance performed by the Garo tribe in Meghalaya. It is an integral part of the Wangala Festival, a thanksgiving ceremony to honor the Sun-God of fertility and prosperity. |
| Dance of Meghalaya | The Dance of Meghalaya refers to the rich variety of traditional and folk dances performed by the different tribes inhabiting the state. These dances showcase the cultural diversity and heritage of Meghalaya. |
Folk Dances of Meghalaya with Pictures
Meghalaya arts, dance forms, and music represent their modesty and beautiful culture which makes us remembers why they are renowned. Here below you can check the several Folk Dances of Meghalaya with Pictures.
Shad Suk Mynsiem
An annual spring dance known as Shad Suk Mynsiem honours the harvest and planting season. It is performed to honour the seasons of agriculture. The dancers are young girls and boys dressed in vibrant outfits and jewellery, and they are accompanied by “Tangmuri” flutes and drums, the queen of all musical instruments. Only virgin, unmarried girls are permitted to do this dance, nevertheless. In the Khasi highlands during the spring season, there is a colourful Thanksgiving celebration.
Wangala Dance
In simple terms, the Wangala celebration includes the Wangala dance. The Garos celebrate this important holiday in the autumn, following the harvest season. Ceremonies to please the god “Patigipa Rarngipa” are part of this event and are held in all communities. Dancing and celebration round out the festival’s four days and nights. The “Dance of a Hundred Drums” performed by the warring parties on the last day is a stunning spectacle and the event’s centrepiece.
Lahoo Dance
The Behdienkhlam festival includes the Laho dance as a component. Both men and women perform the Lahoo dance for amusement. Both men and women actively participate in this dancing form while wearing colourful clothing. This dance type is performed by a girl joining arms with two boys on either side. It is noteworthy that a man with a natural ability for acting does the dance while reciting the couplets in place of using a musical instrument.
Dorsegata Dance
The Dоrsegata dance festival is alsо a dance in which the wоmen try tо take the turbans оff their male partners during the dance. If the wоmen succeed in dоing sо, laughter fоllоws.
Nongkrem Dance
This dance, commonly referred to as “Ka Pamblang Nongkrem,” is the most significant of the “Khasis.” It is essentially a Thanksgiving to God and is observed in the autumnal season.
Folk Dances of Meghalaya FAQs
The popular folk dances of Meghalaya include the Nongkrem Dance, Wangala Dance, Shad Suk Mynsiem, Doregata Dance, and Laho Dance.
The Nongkrem Dance is a traditional folk dance of the Khasi tribe in Meghalaya. It is performed during the Nongkrem Festival, which is a harvest festival celebrated in the month of November.
The Wangala Dance, also known as the Hundred Drum Dance, is a popular folk dance of the Garo tribe in Meghalaya. It is performed during the Wangala Festival, which is a harvest festival celebrated by the Garo community.
The Shad Suk Mynsiem is a traditional dance of the Khasi tribe in Meghalaya. It is performed during the Shad Sukmysiem Festival, which is a springtime festival celebrated by the Khasi community.
The Laho Dance is a folk dance of the Jaintia tribe in Meghalaya. It is performed during the Behdienkhlam Festival, which is a popular festival celebrated by the Jaintia community. The dance is performed by men who jump and dance on bamboo stilts, showcasing their agility and strength.