CHERAW or BAMBOO DANCE
Cheraw, also known as Bamboo Dance is the dance of Mizoram, one of the seven sisters states in North-East India. It is the most colorful and distinctive dance of the Mizos which is characterized by the use of bamboo staves kept across and horizontal on the ground where the male dancers move the bamboo staves in rhythmic beats while the female dancers performed by stepping in and out of the bamboo blocks. It is one of the oldest dances of Mizoram and has become an integral part of almost every festival of Mizoram.
In the earlier days, the dance was performed to ensure a safe passage for the mother who died at childbirth so that she may enter the abode safely. But nowadays, it is performed on any occasion. Cheraw Dance is a dance of sanctification and redemption performed with great care, precision and elegance.
It is believed that the Cheraw Dance has originated way back in the 1st century. Possibly the forefathers of Mizos brought it with them when they left their homes in far East-Asia. In this dance, the bamboos are clapped together by the male dancers on a particular beat. The female dancers having a perfect timing, dance gracefully by stepping in and out of the cross and horizontally laid bamboo staves which are supported by two bases. Also the bamboos when clapped produced a sound which form the rhythm of the dance, indicating the timing of the dance as well.
As we can see in the picture, during the Cheraw Dance, the common costumes worn by the female dancers are the traditional dresses like Kawrchei (top), Puanchei (lower) and Vakiria (headgear) while the male dancers usually wear Pawndum (lower) and white tops or just dance shirtless. All these vubrant colors of the costumes also brighten up the surrounding environment too.
It seems that the various movements of the dance are inspired by the nature. Some of the movements resemble the swaying of tress and some others resemble the flying of birds. It is truly a fact that the Cheraw Dance is definitely the most enchanting form of Mizoram culture.
On 12th March 2010, the largest bamboo dance (Cheraw) was achieved by 10736 dancers during an event organised by the Government of Mizoram in Aizawl, Mizoram, India which was entered in the Guinness Book of World Records. This was organised not only to make a record but also to boost tourism in this picturesque state.
In the earlier days, the dance was performed to ensure a safe passage for the mother who died at childbirth so that she may enter the abode safely. But nowadays, it is performed on any occasion. Cheraw Dance is a dance of sanctification and redemption performed with great care, precision and elegance.
It is believed that the Cheraw Dance has originated way back in the 1st century. Possibly the forefathers of Mizos brought it with them when they left their homes in far East-Asia. In this dance, the bamboos are clapped together by the male dancers on a particular beat. The female dancers having a perfect timing, dance gracefully by stepping in and out of the cross and horizontally laid bamboo staves which are supported by two bases. Also the bamboos when clapped produced a sound which form the rhythm of the dance, indicating the timing of the dance as well.
As we can see in the picture, during the Cheraw Dance, the common costumes worn by the female dancers are the traditional dresses like Kawrchei (top), Puanchei (lower) and Vakiria (headgear) while the male dancers usually wear Pawndum (lower) and white tops or just dance shirtless. All these vubrant colors of the costumes also brighten up the surrounding environment too.
It seems that the various movements of the dance are inspired by the nature. Some of the movements resemble the swaying of tress and some others resemble the flying of birds. It is truly a fact that the Cheraw Dance is definitely the most enchanting form of Mizoram culture.
On 12th March 2010, the largest bamboo dance (Cheraw) was achieved by 10736 dancers during an event organised by the Government of Mizoram in Aizawl, Mizoram, India which was entered in the Guinness Book of World Records. This was organised not only to make a record but also to boost tourism in this picturesque state.
