Bagurumba
AI-drafted · awaiting admin review
The graceful dance of the Bodo women of Assam, often called the butterfly dance for its soft, fluttering movements.
TribalWhere: AssamOccasion: Bwisagu, the Bodo spring festival and new year in April, and other celebrations
| Performed by | Bodo women and girls, in a group; men play the instruments |
|---|---|
| Costume | Bright dokhona wrapped around the body, a jwmgra (shawl) and the aronai scarf |
| Music and instruments | Kham (long drum), sifung (long bamboo flute), serja (bowed string instrument), jotha (cymbals) and gongwna (bamboo jaw harp) |
How it is performed
- The dancers stand in a line or circle while the musicians start a slow rhythm.
- They move with small, gentle steps, keeping the knees soft and the body upright.
- They hold the ends of their jwmgra and spread their arms, so the cloth moves like the wings of a butterfly or bird.
- The group forms patterns, lines and circles, with the pace rising slowly through the dance.
Significance
Bagurumba is closely tied to Bodo identity and to nature: its movements are said to imitate butterflies, birds, leaves and flowing water.