Jhijhiya
AI-drafted · awaiting admin review
A Mithila dance by women who balance clay pots with lit lamps on their heads during Navratri, praying to protect the village from evil.
DevotionalWhere: Bihar (Mithila region)Occasion: Navratri / Durga Puja, especially at night
| Performed by | Young women and girls in a group |
|---|---|
| Costume | Colourful sarees; each dancer carries a perforated clay pot with a lamp inside on her head |
| Music and instruments | Devotional folk songs to the goddess, sung by the group |
How it is performed
- Each dancer places a clay pot, pierced with many small holes and holding a lit lamp, on her head.
- The women form a circle and move around, keeping the pot balanced without using their hands.
- They sing songs to the goddess asking her to protect the village from black magic and evil.
- The light shining through the holes in the pots makes a pattern of points in the dark.
Significance
Jhijhiya is a dance of faith and community protection. It shows the strength of women’s folk traditions in Mithila.