Fairs and Festivals of Tripura

Fairs and Festivals of Tripura portray the culture of the Himalayan State. Nestling amidst the snowcapped ranges it is captivating to follow the tribal culture, their means of lively hood and entertainment. The fairs and festivals of Tripura are celebrated which have their origins in their pagan religion. The people of Tripura thank nature God for its bountiful benevolence by offering prayers and holding fairs. The multi cultural mix in Tripura has a strong influence in the culture of the land. Tripura is inhabited by the Bengalis who celebrate Durga Puja whereas the spectacular boat race held at Melaghar and Gandacherra is celebrated in the month of August. The dance forms of the various tribes of Tripura constitute the Tripura dance culture. The community comprises of the Tripuri community, the Reang Community, the Chakma community, Halam (Malsum) Community, Lushai community and Garo tribes. Each of these tribes wears exotic dresses when they perform their ethnic dances.

'Garia' Dance

The Tripuris living in the mountains take to Jhum cultivation. Associated to farming they pay allegiance to the 'Garia' God for bounteous harvest. After sowing the seeds the Tripuris celebrate by offering prayers and dancing to the tunes of the folk songs in the middle of the month of April.

Lebang Boomani Dance

After the sowing of the seed and the Garia festival Tripuris rest for a period. It is during this time when many colorful insects known as the 'Lebang' visit these hill slopes. The youths join in merrymaking. The rhythmic sound produced by the two bamboo chips attracts the insects and are caught by the women folk. It is well known form of dance in Tripura where the Tripuris use musical instruments like khamb made of bamboo, flute, Sarinda, lebang made of bamboo and bamboo cymbal.

Hozagiri Dance

Hozagiri Dance, one of the popular dance forms of Reang Community involves the rhythmic movement of the lower part of the body where as there is a minimal movement of the upper torso and the hands. The young woman in the group stands on earthen pitchers with a bottle on hand and a lighted lamp on it.

Bizu Dance

'Chaitra-Sankranti' is celebrated as valedictions to the Bengali Calendar year. The Chakma community performs Bizu dance. They dance to pay farewell to the year and welcome a new year. 'Khenggarang' and 'Dhukuk' (flutes) are played as an accompaniment to the dance form.

Hai-Hak Dance

The Halam tribe of Tripura is also agro based and Jhum cultivation is their primary occupation. After the harvesting season the Malsum tribe of the Halam community praises Goddess Laxmi. This is the time they perform the Hai-Hak dance.

Wangala Dance

Wangala dance is related to the Garo community's rice eating ceremony. Like most of the religious communities of the globe it is always customary of the community to offer the first morsel of a new harvest to the God, a way to thank him for the bountiful harvest. The Garos celebrate by offering prayers and the head of the community, Sangnakma, visits every house and sacrifices a pumpkin as a part of the ritual. Women dance to the beats of 'Dama' and 'Aaduri' made out of buffalo horn.

Welcome Dance

Lusai community performs a welcome dance to welcome their guests. The Lusai girls in colorful dresses dance to make the visitors feel at ease and important.

Cheraw Dance

The Darlong community performs the Cheraw dance. It is a dance that has its roots in the belief of after life. The community believes in life after death and so even pregnant women dance to the tunes of bamboo sticks wishing to dwell in heaven in peace.

Way (Lamp) Dance

The Lamp dance is performed to worship Lord Buddha. The Mog community performs the festival in a full moon day in the month of Ashwin. Boys and girls stand in rows with lamps in their hands to worship Lord Buddha. There after they perform dances with the lamps within the temple premises.

Fairs and Festivals of Tripura portray their multi-cultural mix. Log on to northeastindia.com to know about Fairs and Festivals of Tripura.