DANCE FORMS OF NAGALAND

Contents

·         Introduction

·         Popular Dance Forms of Naga Tribes

·         Music

·         Songs

Introduction

Dance comes naturally to the members of the Naga tribes. The Naga dances are full of vitality and vigour. The Nagas always dance in a group and the dance is restricted exclusively to the men. The dancers usually wield weapons such as spear, dao, sword and dance in accordance to the tone and rhythm of the music. The dance of the Zeliang tribe is extremely beautiful and they are the only community to allow women to participate in the dance. Their costumes are very colourful and complement the dance performance. Most of the dances start with a slow pace and steadily the tempo gains momentum.

Popular Dance Forms of Naga Tribes

Some of the most popular dance forms of Naga tribes are as follows:

• Nruirolians- Also known as the Cock dance, the dancing pattern resembles the gait of a cock.  
• Gethinglim- Also known as the Cricket dance, Gethinglim is a dance form in which the hands are moved to and fro, just like the limb movements of a cricket.
• Temangnetin- Also known as the fly dance, Temangnetin dance resembles the movements of a fly.
• Hetateulee- Also known as the Bear dance, Hetateulee is performed when an enemy is defeated. The dance movements resemble the movements of a bear.   

Music

Music is also a very essential aspect for the Nagas. They are an essential component of any form of celebration and festivity. The tribal songs of Nagaland usually narrate an act of heroism; glorify a tradition or an important historical event.

The most popular musical instruments accompanying Naga music are as follows:

• Theku (a type of string instrument)
• Flute
• Drum
• Cymbals
• Trumpet
• Guitar

Songs

The most popular tribal songs of Nagaland are as follows:

• Heliamleu or Dancing Songs - The themes are usually romantic
• Hereileu or War Songs - Narrated by old people, about the glorious tradition and historical events
• Neuleu or Legendry songs - Composed and narrated by the old men, describing the episodes from the legends
• Hekialeu or songs about self - Composed and narrated by old men, describing their eventful life.