FOLK DANCES OF SIKKIM

 Sikkim has an exquisite culture which is expressed towards any visitors as well as other people in the form of dances. And the cultural heritage of Sikkim is expressed in its traditional folk dances. There is a number of folk dances that are performed in the many monasteries during their celebrations.The three ethnic communities, Lepcha, Bhutia and Nepalis constitute the folk dances and songs which are an ingrained part of Sikkimese culture. This music and folk dances relate to the beauty of the natural surroundings, depicting the harvest season and are performed for good luck and prosperity. Some of the popular music and folk dances are described below-

1.Chu faat dance

This dance is specifically performed on the 15th day of the 7th month of the Buddhist calendar of North. It is presented to pay respect the five peaks as Mt Nursing, Mt kabru,Mt pandim,Mt Kanchenjunga, and Mt Simbrum which are known as the protector of five natural resources such as medicine , salt , minerals ,food grains and sacred books .

2.Tendong Lho Rum Faat

Tendong Lho Rumfaat is a festival of the Lepcha people of north-east India. The festival occurs usually in the month of August. According to Lepcha belief, their ancestors went atop the Tendong Mountain to escape from 40 days and 40 nights of continuous rain.

3.Zo-mal-lok

Zo-Mal-Lok is a well-known folk dance of Lepchas, performed to signify the sowing, reaping, and harvesting of paddy.  This merrymaking spree is enhanced by the participation of both young and old, and every family.

4.Chutkay Dance

Chutkay dance  is performed by a group of male and female dancers. It is a romantic dance form that enlivens the ambience with joys of life and feeling of happiness, which is shared during the harvesting season as well as on other joyous occasions.

5.Yak Chham

Yak Chaam dance is performed by the Bhutia community to honor the Yak. There are many families which are dependent on the Yak for their survival for using Yak’s wools in their daily life. And that is why there is a special dance that celebrates the Yak. This traditional dance depicts the relationship between the herdsman and the Yak.

6.Ta-shi-yang-ku

Tashi Yangku is believed to bring good destiny to the land. Bhutia community believes that there are several Gods as well as Goddess who can control the natural phenomenon like floods, landslides, droughts, snowfalls etc. The Tashi Yangku dance is meant to alleviate the Gods for continuing prosperity and peace in the region.

THANK YOU

Kristie Thakur