Chheihlam

Understand

Where Chheihlam comes from

Chheihlam is the men's social-chorus-and-dance of the Mizo community, performed at the village gatherings and at the community festivals of the Mizo people. The form is performed by a central participant (the lead singer) singing the traditional Mizo song-cycle and the men of the community responding in coordinated steps in a circle. The dance is one of the principal social-dance forms of the Mizo people and is associated with the community-life and the regional songs of the Mizo. The Chheihlam is regularly performed at the cultural programmes of the state and at the regional Mizo community festivals.

How it's practiced

Chheihlam is performed by a group of men of the Mizo community in a circle at the central courtyard of the village or at the open ground of the festival. A central participant (the lead singer) sings the traditional Mizo song-cycle and the men of the community respond in coordinated steps in time to the song. The dance is gentle, with the men performing the small stepping rhythm of the Mizo tradition. Music is the darbu (gong) and the small cymbals, occasionally the khuang. Costume is the everyday Mizo dress — the puandum and the small regional cap. Performances are at the courtyard and at the cultural programmes of the state.