Garba
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A circular devotional dance around a lamp or an image of the Goddess, danced through the nine nights of Navratri.
FolkWhere: GujaratOccasion: Navratri (September–October), and also weddings and community celebrationsUNESCO heritage 2023
| Performed by | Women and men of all ages, in circles; traditionally women |
|---|---|
| Costume | Women in embroidered chaniya choli with mirror work and odhni; men in kediyu and dhoti or chorno |
| Music and instruments | Garba songs in praise of Amba and other forms of the Goddess, with dhol, cymbals and singing; today often with a band |
How it is performed
- A garbo, a clay pot with holes and a lamp inside, or an image of the Goddess, is placed at the centre.
- Dancers form concentric circles and move anticlockwise around it.
- They clap in rhythm and take simple bending and turning steps in counts of two, three or more claps.
- The tempo starts slow and grows faster through the night.
Significance
The lamp in the pot stands for life and the divine energy of the Goddess. Garba brings whole neighbourhoods together, and it was inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2023.