Lebang Boomani
AI-drafted · awaiting admin review
A Tripuri harvest dance that recalls catching the lebang insect, with men beating bamboo clappers and women dancing in rhythm.
FolkWhere: TripuraOccasion: After sowing on the jhum fields; now also at festivals and on stage
| Performed by | Tripuri young women dancing, with young men playing bamboo clappers |
|---|---|
| Costume | Colourful risa and rignai with beads and silver jewellery |
| Music and instruments | Split-bamboo clappers and a bamboo flute |
How it is performed
- Young men beat two pieces of bamboo together in a sharp, steady rhythm.
- Young women dance across the ground, moving as if chasing and catching insects.
- The rhythm speeds up as the dance goes on, and the dancers follow with quicker steps.
Significance
According to tradition, lebang insects came to feed on the seeds sown on the hill slopes, and villagers made noise with bamboo to attract and catch them. The dance celebrates this and the joy of the farming season.