Naga Folk Song-Dance (Lim/Aoleng)

Understand

Where Naga Folk Song-Dance (Lim/Aoleng) comes from

The Naga folk song-dance is the communal song-and-dance tradition of the Naga tribes of Nagaland, performed at the village festivals and at the cultural celebrations. The dance is associated with the folk-cycle of the Naga community (the Monyu of the Ao, the Kechi of the Sema and the related cycles of the other tribes). The form is one of the most distinctive regional traditions of the Northeast and is regularly performed at the cultural programmes of the state and at the Hornbill Festival.

How it's practiced

The Naga folk song-dance is performed by men and women of the community in a circle (or in two facing rows) at the central courtyard of the village. The central singer (or the lead singer) sings the regional Monyu (the folk-ballad) and the men and women of the community perform in coordinated steps to the song. Music is the bamboo mouth-organ, the log-drum and the small cymbals of the Naga tradition. Costume is the traditional Naga dress — the lungi and the colourful headdress. Performances are at the village festival and at the cultural programmes of the state.