Traditional dance of the Andamanese peoples
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Dances of the Great Andamanese and Onge peoples, in which a singer keeps time by striking a wooden sounding board with the foot while the dancers stamp and leap around.
TribalWhere: Andaman and Nicobar Islands (Andaman group)Occasion: Community gatherings, feasts and ceremonies
| Performed by | Men and women of the community |
|---|---|
| Costume | Traditional ornaments of bark fibre, leaves and shells, and body painting with clay |
| Music and instruments | Songs, hand-clapping and the beat of the sounding board |
How it is performed
- A singer stands by a sounding board laid on the ground and strikes it with the heel to make a deep beat.
- He sings a song, and the women, often seated nearby, clap in time and join the chorus.
- The dancers move around the singer, bending forward and stamping and leaping in rhythm.
- The dance can continue for many hours during a gathering.
Significance
Accounts from the late 19th and early 20th centuries describe these dances as a central part of Andamanese social life. These communities live in protected areas, and their customs are their own; they are not performed for tourists.
Sources