Mizo Bamboo Dance
The bamboo dance performed in Mizoram is called so as bamboo is used in this dance both for making music as well as for the steps of the dance. The dancer moves by stepping alternatively in and out from between and across a pair of horizontal bamboos, held against the ground by people sitting face to face on either sides. While two persons sit on either end holding the bamboo and tapping it open and close in rhythmic beats, a row of dancers move between and out of the bamboo. The bamboos placed horizontally, are supported by two bases, one at each end. When clapped, they produce a sharp sound which forms the rhythm of the dance and also indicates the timing of the dance. The dancer steps in and out to the beats of the bamboos. The patterns and steppings of the dance have many variations. Sometimes the steps are made in imitation of the movements of birds and sometimes the swaying of trees.
Source: www.mizotourism.nic.in
Contributed by: Prarthana, CEE Ahmedabad