The Folk Dances of the Rabhas

          Rabha is a prominent tribe in Assam and is recognized as a scheduled tribe by the constitution of India. We find their presence extensively in Assam, Meghalaya, west Bengal, Manipur, and Tripura and in Nepal too. According to the map drawn by the linguistic survey of India they inhabit places from Phulbari of Garo Hills district in Meghalaya stretching unto Rani of south Kamrup district in Assam.

          Folk dances are a special feature of the scheduled tribes which is related to their daily life. Here, we are going to look at a comprehensive and brief description about the folk dances of the Rabhas and their significance.

1. The Farkranti dance: The word `Farkranti` is synonymous with funeral/ death ceremony. There is a story behind this folk dance. Once, all male Rabhas went to war. But many of them were killed and the possibility of their clans disappearing seemed inevitable as there were not many alive. Finding no way out the wives started searching for their husbands who were missing in the war. Without any experience or training in the art of war fare, the wives went to fight but in the process they lost their way to the battlefield. Then, interestingly their husbands’ souls came to show them the way in the form of birds-Manchelengka, Tandalengka and Badadika. They followed the birds and found the dead bodies of their husbands` lying in a cave holding each other. As a sign of reverence to the souls, they performed ‘Farkranti’ and promised to protect their clan.In this folk dance female dancers take sword and shield while male dancers dance with Manchelengka, the emblem of the Rabhas, in their hands. To keep the rhythm they sing as follows—

 ``Fencha Nang Nemkay, Rabhani Nuki Janam Rakhu

   Panfang Chan Janam tarikhu, fariban chay chano

   To hanghi Janam tarikhu, kaytang thatkay chano

   Machu michi Janam tarikhu, kaytang hal bayno

   Chong kangku Janam tarikhu, to bijan chano``

(Meaning- Born in a noble family; would not born as grass, wood etc., otherwise you would be burnt by fire; do not born as poultry, men will  eat; do not born as cow or ox, men will plough and do not born as insects, birds will eat).

2. The Hamjhar dance: The Rabhas have an agrarian culture. Majority of the Rabhas have been living in the hills. In shifting cultivation they work together sharing a common song and music. It helps them to finish the work easily. Hence in this folk dance, they take agricultural implements. It also known as ‘Girkay’ dance. They sing as follows-

 ``Eyan chingi charpak, eyan chingi charpak

   Patharini maynari, eyan chingi charpak

   Pata hayni payanari, eyan chingi charpak,

   Hiri hiri khichin rampa, Chak tamote renga

   Chikur chikur nuke kakay,

   Chingi khapak khichina mao

   Chingi khapay khichina``

(Meaning- Sweet wind blows over our bodies, we feel cool, we are son of farmers, our soul is in the farm.)

3. The Bahurangi dance: A story is behind this dance. Once, there were two sisters named Bahu and Rangi. They lost their parents before they attained maturity. They stared begging by singing and dancing. This came to be known as the Bahurangi dance. Now to perform this dance, after finishing their works the female Rabhas meet at a place and dance tighter to the tunes on interestingly an Assamese song. The song goes like this-

``Lau pat dhapa dhapa, mitha nalage

  Sona hena betitak jangai nalage``

(Meaning- Sweet guard with wide leaves, lack of sweet; our daughter is gold, we do not need a son-in-law).

4. The Sathar dance: It is like the `Bihu` dance performed by the Assamese youths. The Rabha youths perform this dance and choose their companion for future life. A Sathar song is goes like-

``Aato temo aato babayno

   Mane ribachare, mane ribacha

   Narang peke, Sathar temo chale

 Mane ribachare, mane ribhacha (harchai harchai)``

(Meaning- How will I talk with you, I have forgotten everything and also forgot all the songs).

5. The Dhabai dance: This is a dance performed by the Rabhas before they go to fight against their enemies.

Through this dance they get self-confidence and brave to fight. Thus in this dance they take war weapons during performance.

6. The Khokchi dance: It is a dangerous dance performed by the Rabhas related to the `Khokchi` pooja. To satisfy the goddess `Khokchi` they perform this dance around the fire.  This is known as `Chuchari puja`. It is also known as ‘Agnipooja’. The song that accompanies the dance is follows-

 ``Agarani chana de- a aya

   Brahmani chana de-a aya

   Nangi purbani acharbani ray

   Chingi pali prharitang 

   Nangi chalam chingi ray``

(Meaning- Mother Fire, according to tradition we have bathed in the water mixed with Tulsi and we pray to you with full faith).

          Another dangerous dance of `Khokchi puja` is `Deodhani` dance. It is performed on ato of a heap of wood.

7. The Hachang dance:  This dance is related to the `Hachang puja`. It is usually performed after finishing agricultural activities (September-October). This is a dance invoking the blessing of God for themselves and their poultry.

8. The Pangba dance: `Pangba` is another god of the Rabhas. According to folklore when this god attacks, the man is punished by rheumatism. Thus to satisfy the God they perform this form of dance.

9. The Shiva Darmang dance: The Rabhas are grateful to the `Shiva` because, he creates them. They perform this dance to satisfy Him.

10. The Na-bana dance: `Na-bana` means fish catching or fishing. The Rabhas usually go for community fishing, singing a common song and with synchronized actins. In this dance the dancers take fishing equipments to perform.

11. The Hanaghora dance: The `Hanaghora` dance is performed by the `Hana` Rabhas only to satisfy the god `Langa-bura`(Shiva). The ghora (horse) is made of cane and bamboo and the horns are substituted by horns of dead goat. A man takes this horse and dances with songs-

``Aamar ghora nachiche, tel khujiche``

(Meaning- our horse is dancing and wants oil).

12. The Ojapali dance: The `Ojapali` dance is related to the `Maraipuja`. This dance is performed to satisfy the goddess Padmawati, daughter of the god Shiva. She is also known as `Barmani` or ` `Bisha Hari`. In this dance there is an `Oja` (main dancer) and the `palies`(companion of the oja) followed him.

          In contemporary times, some of these folk dances of the Rabhas have been performed on different stages and videos are also available. This may be a good idea to conserve these valuable dances from the possibility of its extinction.

       

(This article was published in ‘Insight’ in 2008, by North-East Students’ Forum, University of Hyderabad)