The North-Eastern State of India , Arunachal Pradesh houses several tribes that have distinctive cultures and one can get a glimpse of this diversity from the various dance forms that exist. These dance forms range from colorful performances, martial arts to religious dance dramas of the Buddhists. Although, almost all dances are performed by both male and female, there are a few dance forms where women are restricted from participation and are performed solely by the males. The folk dances of Arunachal Pradesh are performed mainly during the festive season and during important religious ceremonies; however, these dances are also performed occasionally for recreation. Popular folk dances of Arunachal Pradesh are: Wancho Dances: Wancho dance is a popular dance form of Arunachal Pradesh, which is performed by the Wancho Tribes. This dance form is performed during festivals and ceremonies. During the Ozele festival, a major festival of Wancho tribe celebrated during the month of February and March after sowing of millet has ended and continues for four days. This dance is performed inside the house of head of the community between 9PM to 11PM and is performed by mainly the male folks; however, only unmarried girls and married women who have not gone to the husband’s house after marriage can participate. The performers are dressed in their traditional attire and are adorned with ornaments. The male dancers carry a sword on their right hand and have cane baskets ornamented with vivid straw tassels and either tushes of wild boars or skulls of monkey, drooping from the waistline. Buiya Dance: Buiya Dance is a folk dance of Digaru Mishmi tribe, which is performed during the festive occasions. This dance form is performed mainly during Tanuya, Duiya and Tazampu festivals, where both men and women take part. Performed solely for entertainment, Buiya Dance is performed during the festivals that are celebrated for good health and prosperity of the performer and his family. Besides during festivals, this form of folk dance is also performed after a feast by the family to entertain the compatriots for helping them in harvesting a new field. It is preformed in the aisle that runs alongside the house. There is no special costume for performing Buiya Dance, but male dancers generally wear a loincloth, a sleeveless jacket, a turban and ear-rings and females wear long skirts and blouses. Khampti Dance: Khampti Dance is a dance performed by the Khampti tribes of Arunachal Pradesh. Khamptis basically follow Buddhism and this dance form is similar to the religious dance dramas of the Buddhists. Through dance drama, Khamtis unfurl mythical stories that deliver a moral. Khampti dance is mainly performed during religious festivals such as Khamsang, Potwah and Sankian, which is the most entertaining part of the festival. In this dance form, women do not take part in the performance and every role is played by the male members of the group. Ponung Dance: Ponung is the folk dance of the Adi tribe of Arunachal Pradesh. This is a special dance form, where only female members of the community take part. It is performed on the festivals that are celebrated before harvesting, which is intended for the welfare of the community and for good harvest. This dance is performed by forming a circle and the leader known as Miri, usually a man sings mythical songs and the female dancers dance and sing on the rhythm of it. Chalo: It is the folk dance of Nocte Tribe, which is one of the prominent tribes of Arunachal Pradesh. Chalo is a popular dance of the state and it is performed during the Loku festival, which is celebrated with zest for three days. Grand feast is organized during this festival, which is followed by Chalo dance. It is performed all throughout the night and enlivens the environment with its rhythm. It is one of the most acclaimed folk dances of Arunachal Pradesh.
