Jhumur of the tea gardens
AI-drafted · awaiting admin review
A lively group dance of the tea garden communities of Assam, with women in a line and men playing the madal drum.
FolkWhere: AssamOccasion: Festivals such as Karam and Tusu, weddings and harvest celebrations
| Performed by | Women and men of the tea garden and Adivasi communities |
|---|---|
| Costume | Women wear sarees, often in white or red, tied in a simple local style; men wear dhoti and a gamosa or scarf |
| Music and instruments | Madal and dhol drums, flute and cymbals, with songs in Sadri and other community languages |
How it is performed
- Women stand in a row or semicircle, arms linked around each other’s waists.
- They step forward and back together in a swaying rhythm, bending gently at the knees.
- Men play the madal and other instruments, sometimes dancing in front of the women’s line.
- The group sings songs of work, love and nature as the steps repeat and speed up.
Significance
Jhumur was brought to Assam by communities who came to work in the tea gardens in the 19th century. It is now part of Assam’s shared cultural life.