Santhali dance
AI-drafted · awaiting admin review
The group dances of the Santhal people, with women in long linked lines moving gracefully to the deep beat of the tamak and tumdak drums.
TribalWhere: Jharkhand, especially the Santhal Parganas; also West Bengal and OdishaOccasion: Baha (spring flower festival), Sohrai (harvest festival), weddings and village gatherings
| Performed by | Women dance in lines; men play the drums and flutes and sometimes dance in front |
|---|---|
| Costume | Women wear sarees, often in checked patterns, with flowers in their hair; men wear dhotis and turbans |
| Music and instruments | Tamak (large kettle drum), tumdak (two-sided drum), flute and songs in Santali |
How it is performed
- Women stand in a long line or semicircle, linking arms behind each other’s backs.
- The men with drums and flutes stand facing them and start the rhythm.
- The line of women bends forward and moves sideways with small, even steps, rising and falling like a wave.
- The men move towards and away from the women’s line as they play, and the songs change with the occasion.
Significance
Dance and music are central to Santhal social life and festivals. The dances mark the seasons and the important moments of family life.