Shad Suk Mynsiem
AI-drafted · awaiting admin review
The ‘dance of joyful hearts’ of the Khasi people, a spring thanksgiving dance in which women and men dance in two circles.
FolkWhere: Meghalaya (Khasi Hills; the main event is at Weiking ground, Shillong)Occasion: Spring, usually in April, as thanksgiving for the harvest and prayer for the new sowing
| Performed by | Unmarried young women, with men of the community dancing around them |
|---|---|
| Costume | Women wear rich silk dresses (jainsem), gold or silver crowns and heavy jewellery; men wear dhotis, jackets and turbans and carry a sword and a whisk |
| Music and instruments | Drums (ksing) and the tangmuri, a Khasi pipe |
How it is performed
- Women dance in the inner circle with slow, gliding steps, eyes lowered and arms by their side.
- Men dance in the outer circle with livelier steps, waving the whisk and holding the sword, as if guarding the women.
- The drummers and pipers set the rhythm, which changes through the day.
- Dancing continues for about three days.
Significance
The dance shows the respect for women in matrilineal Khasi society and the role of men as protectors. It is one of the most important events of the Khasi calendar.