Lepcha Folk Dances
:: Lepcha Folk Dances ::
Through this romantic dance, story of a young boy and a girl in
love is conveyed. A group of boys ask a group of girls for their hands for the
purpose of marriage and in turn promise them with rich gifts and ornaments. The
girls, however, turn down the offer and ask them to approach their parents,
instead. This colourful dance is performed with the support of melodious Lepcha
songs and musical instruments such as Sanga (drum), Yangjey (string instrument),
Cymbal, Yarka, Flute and Tungbuk.
:: Zo-Mal-Lok ::
This famous folk dance of Lepcha community shows normal
activities such as sowing, reaping and harvesting of paddy. The old people and
young folk alike join hands to sing, dance and indulge in merry making. The
graceful movements of male and female dancers become more noticeable with the
background of pleasant sounds of seasonal birds. Musical instruments used to
support the dance are Tungbuk, Flute, Cymbal, Drum, etc.
:: Chu-Faat ::
Literal meaning of Chu is Snowy Range, while that of Faat is Worship. This group
folk dance is performed in the honour of Mount Khangchendzonga, the guardian
deity of the Sikkimese people. The dancers while carrying butter lamps and green
bamboo leaves perform a ritualistic dance by singing devotional songs.
:: Tendong Lo Rum Faat ::
It is based on a famous Lepcha folk lore often retold to the new
generation of Lepchas in the form of lyrical poetry. According to the legend,
this group dance is performed to save people from the onslaught of mighty,
mountainous rivers, First, the Lepchas living on the Tendong Hill in South
Sikkim are reported to have offered prayers to the God through this dance. They
desired the almighty to save them from the disaster of rising water. As per
folklore, God came as a bird and began sprinkling sacred millet beer on water.
Soon, the level of water subsided and people heaved a sigh of relief.
:: Kinchum-Chu-Bomsa ::
This famous folk dance vividly describes the natural beauty of Sikkim, or
Ney-Mayel-Lyang (a heavenly, hidden paradise) called so, by the Lepchas. The
snow covered mountain peaks, green captivating meadows, enchanting valleys,
thick vegetation, rivers and water falls, holy lakes and serene monasteries
sanctify this land. The young Lepcha boys and girls show their attachment with
the land by performing the dance in their colourful attire.
Folk Dances
Lepcha Folk Dances | Bhutia Folk Dances | Nepali Folk Dances