One of the seven northeastern states
of India, Assam encompasses several ethnic communities. Folk dances can be
found in various tribes of Assam. Here is a list of the top 5 most popular folk dance forms of Assam.
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- Bihu
 |
| Image: © Abhijit Dehingia/IG |
Bihu comes from Assam in northeastern India.
Bihu is an indigenous folk dance. It is usually practiced during the Bihu
festival. Traditionally the dance is performed by both men and women, and the
movements are characterized by quick steps and rapid hand movements. It is
often traced to pre-historic times with references like “Sculptures considered
to belong to the 9th century and depicting a type of dance which
looks like that of the Bihu have been found near Tezpur in the Darrang district.
- Bagurumba
 |
| Image: hinduperformingart/IG |
Bagurumba is a traditional folk dance of the
Bodo people. This dance is from the state of Assam in northeastern India. It is
usually performed by young girls as they spread and wave stroke both their
hands with the Aronai (dupatta) in it, and it looks like a colorful butterfly
flying around. Bagurumba is characterized by smoothness and unfolding in a slow
process with outstretched hand movements.
The dance is an amalgamation of rhythm and vivacity finding reflection
in the cadence and melody of the music. The dancers swing and twist, bend and
unbend, at times and give the impression of a cheerful fluttering butterfly.
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- Jhumur
 |
| Image: Ankita Chatterjee |
Jhumur is a traditional folk dance form of the Indian state of Assam of the Tea tribes’ community. It is performed by both
men and women. The male dancers wear long white traditional dresses and keep
the rhythm musical instruments, generally Dhol and Taal (two metallic discs).
The female mostly performs the dancing part, movements of each other’s waist, moving hands and both legs forward and backward.
- Bhortal
 |
| Image: sattriyadancer – Meenakshi |
Bhortal is one of the most
popular folk dances of Assam. It is performed in a group. Six or seven male
dancers generally present the Bhortal dance, which can also be performed in large groups. The dance movements are characterized such that they can
produce some very colorful patterns.
- Baidima
 |
| A beautiful Dimasa girl is dancing the Baidima dance |
Baidima is a cultural folk dance of the Dimasa
community. It is performed by both males and females during the Busu Dima, an
annual harvest festival. Baidima is characterized by smooth and graceful
movements. To clap three times, the hands are used to move up and down once at
the waist.
