Karma dance
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A dance performed around a branch of the Karam tree during the Karma festival, when sisters pray for the well-being of their brothers and for good crops.
TribalWhere: JharkhandOccasion: Karma festival in the month of Bhado (August–September)
| Performed by | Young women and men of the Oraon, Munda and many other tribal and Sadan communities |
|---|---|
| Costume | Women in white sarees with red borders and flowers; men in dhotis with turbans or feathers |
| Music and instruments | Mandar, nagara and flute, with Karma songs |
How it is performed
- Young men bring a branch of the Karam tree from the forest and plant it in the village akhra (dancing ground).
- After the women’s fast and worship, the story of Karma and Dharma is told.
- Dancers form rows or a circle around the branch, holding each other by the waist.
- They move with rhythmic forward and backward steps, singing Karma songs through the night.
- The next morning the branch is taken in procession and placed in a river or field.
Significance
Karma celebrates nature, youth and the bond between brothers and sisters, and prays for a good harvest.