SIKKIM

 Hey friends this is a sequence of 'Sikkim-A land of diverse culture'.......

The multiracial state of Sikkim welcomes national and international recognition of its indigenous heritage and traditions. There are several ethnic communities, each of which has its own language, culture , heritage, customs and dance styles. Gaiety parties and festivals provide a plethora of opportunities to experience Sikkim's traditional folklore and dance. Sikkim is known for a varied range of folk dances influenced by the history and culture.

LEPCHA FOLK DANCE

 Zo-Mal-Lok- Lepchas are considered to be one of the oldest tribes in the world and are the original inhabitants of Sikkim, including Bhutias. They have their own history, customs, religious values, as well as their own language, which has been preserved until today. Zo-Mal-Lok is a well-known folk dance performed by Lepchas to represent the sowing, harvesting, and harvesting of paddy. This cheerful celebration is strengthened by the involvement of both young and old, and of every family.

Chu Faat- Chu Faat is another important folk dance performed in honor of Mount Kanchenjunga, including four neighboring peaks of Mt. Kabru, Mt. Pandim, Mt. Narshing, and Mt. Simbrum. These five big peaks are believed to be the storehouse of five secret treasures, such as Minerals, Medicine, Food Grains, Salt, and Sacred Books. Dancers carrying green bamboo leaves and butter lamps perform this ceremonial dance with religious songs. It is done on the 15th day of the 7th month of the Northern Buddhist calendar every year

Kar Gnok Lok- Kar Gnok Lok literally means "Swan Dance." It is a significant folk dance of Lepcha, which means the migration of a group of migratory swans from the hottest regions to The Himalayan region from February-March and from the cold to the warm plains from October-November. The seasonal migration of these swans directs the Lepchas with the perfect time for the sowing and harvesting of crops.

Mon Dryak Loks- Lepchas are considered to be expert hunters, but they never kill birds and animals for pleasure. They adopt a ritualistic approach for hunting. Mon Dryak Loks means the hunting method of the Lepchas, with their ritualistic style of carrying their arms, i.e. bows and arrows

Mun Hait Lok- Mun Hait Lok is a ritualistic Lepcha folk dance performed with devotional hymns. This dance signifies the "Witch Doctor" or the "Mun" performing an age-old ritualistic dance.

 BHUTIA FOLK DANCE

Tashi Sabdo- Tashi Sabdo is a cultural dance reflecting the custom of offering "khadas" or, on special occasions, scarves. This dance is done by young girls and guys carrying snow white scarves in their hands. The white color symbolizes peace, purity, and prosperity.

 NEPALI FOLK DANCE

Maruni- Sikkim's popular Maruni dance is associated with the Diwali festival, Tihar for Nepalese, which is also commonly performed on occasions of great happiness such as marriage.  Tihar signifies the return of Rama from the 14 years of exile.   The Maruni Dance performers dress up themselves in luxurious jewelry and richly decorated costumes during the festival and go to perform the dance from one house to the other. Maruni dance is often performed assisted by the "Naumati Baja" orchestra of nine instruments.

Tamang Selo- Tamang Selo is the traditional style of dance that belongs to the Nepalese community of Tamangs. The rhythmic musical instrument called Damphu is used to perform the dance. Thus, Tamang Selo is also recognized as the "Damphu Dance," performed with fun and enthusiasm, quick movement, and the rhythmic beat of the Damphu, making it highly extraordinary and fascinating.  Tamang Selo is performed during occasions of gaiety such as marriage, village fairs, birth, etc.

 Dhaan Naach- Dhaan means "raw and harvested paddy grain." Dhaan Naach is a Sikkim folk dance performed by the Nepalese community to celebrate the harvest, i.e. paddy. It is one of the oldest preserved traditional and cultural heritage, followed by the agricultural community, which witnesses the active involvement of both young and old.

Sorathi- Gurung Folk Dance of Sikkim- Once upon a time, one of the Gurung kings had 1,600 queens, but each of them struggled to make a throne heir. The King, in sheer desperation, began to snatch all the precious ornaments from his queens, and then sold them for his lustful pleasures. The grieved queens were powerless, and this dance performance reflected the sad expression and miserable state of the queens.

Chyabrung- Limbu or Subba Folk Dance- hyabrung is the traditional instrument of Limbus music. Traditional dancers tie Chyabrung around their neck and beat the drum with an open palm and a stick on the other. This generates two separate sounds, it is performed only with the rhythmic sound of the instruments. In this dance style, Limbus represented the graceful movements of birds and animals.

TIBETAN FOLK DANCE

Yak Chaam- Yak Cham is performed to honor the Yak, as it is the only animal on which a man is fully dependent at a higher altitude for survival. This dance signifies Yak and illustrates the simple and modest way of life of the herdsmen of the mountains.

Singhi Chaam- Also called the Snow Lion Dance, Singhi Cham represents the Kanchenjunga's five sacred peaks that look like the legendary Snow Lion. The significant cultural emblem of the state is these mountains, so it is clearly depicted in the performance of Singhi Chaam.

SIKKIMESE FOLK DANCE

 Lu Khangthamo- Lu Khangthamo is performed to thank all the gods of the three worlds — heaven, hell, and earth. This age-old traditional dance is performed by both young and old people, dressed in their traditional costumes and ornaments.

 Gha To Kito- Gha To Kito is a song cum dance that illustrates all about the treasures of Sikkim, such as the Snow clad Himalayan ranges, Mount Kanchenjunga, primulas and rhododendrons, sacred shrines, caves, and minerals.

 MASK DANCE

 Enchey Chaam- The Sikkim Mask Dance offers an extravagance that is perhaps nowhere to be witnessed in the world. Performed by the monks in the courtyard of the monastery, mask dance is an integral part of religious festivals and celebrations. These dances display elegance and flawless footwork, lamas with brightly painted masks and robes, ceremonial swords swing and jump with the beat of the drums, horn trumpets, and the singing of the monks.

Rumtek Chaam- Among the Sikkim mask dances is the most important religious mask dance. In particular, it is carried out in the month of June, according to the Tibetan calendar. It means the 8 manifestations of Guru Rimpoche

Kagyed Dance- This dance symbolizes the defeat of evil forces and infuses hope for peace and prosperity in every home in Sikkim. The dancers are mainly monks who are accompanied by mantras and ritualistic music. Performed around December, the solemn aspect of the dance is infused with the comic relief of clowns.

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Mehak Chugh