INDIGENOUS CULTURE AND TRIBES OF NORTH-EAST

North East comprises of seven states, often called the Seven Sister States (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Tripura). The state of Sikkim is also considered to be a part of North East. The Siliguri Corridor in West Bengal, with a width of 21 to 40 km connects the North East with rest of Indian heartland and separates Sikkim from the seven sister states.

FESTIVALS IN NORTH-EAST:

1. Bihu, Assam-

This is an Assamese New Year's event. Bohag Bihu, as it is known locally, is one of Assam's most important celebrations. Rongali Bihu or Bohag, Kongali Bihu or Kaati, and Bhogali Bihu or Maagh are popular three times a year. The festival runs from April 14th and lasts for seven days. The bulls are both fed and bathed on the first day. People dress up and give each other Gamosas on the day of the major celebration. This is when the tribe's children perform Bihu Dancing.

2. Garia puja, Tripura:

The Garia puja is usually celebrated on the last day of April (chaitra). It is continued for seven days with pomp and glory and is the most admired carnival in the Tripura. A bamboo pole that symbolizes the lord Garia, the compassionate deity of livestock and household is worshipped with garlands.

3. Yaosang, Manipur:

Celebrated for five days commencing from the full moon day of Phalguan. Yaosang is the premier festival of Manipur. The Thabal chongba- a kind of Manipuri fold dance, where boys and girls hold hands together and sing and dance in a circle is particularly associated with this festival.

Traditional dance and music of North-East:

1. Assam:

Bihu is the most popular folk dance of Assam. Bihu dances are performed by young boys and girls during the Bihu festivities which represent youthful passion, reproductive urge and joy. It is characterized by brisk dance steps and rapid hand movement. Dancers wear traditional colorful Assamese clothing.

2. Manipur:

Music of Manipur encompasses different types of songs such as religious, classical, love and folk. Dhob and Napi Pala are the famous forms of music in Manipur. The most famous dance forms of Manipur are: Khamba Thoibi Dance: This dance form is performed by a male and a female in the honor of sylvan deity.

3. Tripura:

The Bizu Dance is a distinctive dance of the Chakma community. Bizu means Chaitra Sankranti or the end of the Bengali calendar year. Through the Bizu Dance, the members of this community bid goodbye to the year that has just ended and usher in the New Year. The dance is beautifully orchestrated to the rhythm of typical folk instruments of Tripura like Dhol (Drum) Baajhi (Flute), Hengrang (a musical instrument made from bamboo) and Dhuduk (an instrument similar to the Hengrang.