Karma (Gond and Baiga)
AI-drafted · awaiting admin review
A circle-and-line dance of the Gond, Baiga and other tribes of the Mandla and Dindori hills, performed in honour of the karma tree and the harvest.
TribalWhere: Madhya Pradesh (Mandla, Dindori, Shahdol, Anuppur and Balaghat)Occasion: Karma festival after the rains and other seasonal celebrations
| Performed by | Men and women of the Gond, Baiga and other tribal communities |
|---|---|
| Costume | Women in white or coloured sarees with beads and silver jewellery; men with turbans and peacock feathers |
| Music and instruments | Mandar drum, timki, flute and the voices of the dancers |
How it is performed
- A branch of the karma tree is brought and set up in the village dancing ground.
- Men and women stand in two lines, often with arms linked at the waist.
- The lines move forward and back and sway in a circle, bending low and rising with the drum beat.
- One group sings a line and the other answers, and the dance continues for hours.
Significance
Karma is a prayer for good fortune and a good harvest. It is also danced by tribes in neighbouring States, but each community has its own songs and steps.