Wancho Dance

The Wancho dance of Arunachal Pradesh, a typical dance form of the territory, is performed during festivals and other religious ceremonies. In Arunachal Pradesh, the Wancho dance is performed in the Longkhau village during the Ozele festival.

During Ozele festival, the Wancho dance in Arunachal Pradesh is performed by the people of the Wancho tribe between 9 pm. and 11 pm. outside the house of the village chief. A characteristic feature of the Wancho dance at Arunachal Pradesh is that although men and women take part in the dance form unanimously; yet, only unmarried women, or the women who are still to join the household of their husband are allowed to participate in the dance form.

While the dance performance, girls stand in one circle. The girls stand opposite to the menfolk, holding each other's hand. The male dancer stand diagonally opposite to the girls and dance holding sword in one hand and putting the other hand on the shoulder of their partners.

The Wancho dance of Arunachal Pradesh is accompanied by songs sung by the male performers, who start singing while taking short step with their right foot towards the right. The male performers then flex their knees with a forward swing of their sword; again they bend their left foot to their right. The sequence follows as they dance to the tune of the song.

Moreover, the Wancho dance in Arunachal Pradesh calls for a lot of adornments before the dance. The male performers deck themselves with cane baskets that hangs behind them. The baskets are adorned with many indigenous decoratives.

Besides, they wear anklets of straw and girdles and a band of cowries on their shank. They also wear woolen threads or ear plugs on their ears, head dresses made of bamboo and necklaces of coins in order to deck themselves up for the festival.

Last Updated on 03 January 2011