The Kabui Naga dance

Lallunglu Kamei *

The Kabuis or Rongmeis, one of the Zeliangrong brothers of the western hills are the most primitive groups of the Indian tribe and they develop a deep taste for dance and music. The Kabui Naga dance, known popularly throughout India, accompanied with drum beatings enhances the liveliness and intrinsic interest of its audiences and sway their hearts as the dancers move. 'Laam' meaning dance in Rongmei dialect depicts the true individuality of the Rongmeis.

There are whole lots different kinds of Kabui Naga dances performed at specific occasions on a strict basis. Instances may be stated as during the traditional festivals (Ngai Laam), at celebrating creation of community utility (Poumei Laam) and ritualistic dance on the occasion feast of merit (Ballu Laam).

Ballu Laam, of the three is the most important as this has to get hold of the exact choreography, rhythm, songs etc. This dance, however, is regarded as the dance of the gods so it has to be performed with perfect submission and devotion.

Different traditional festival dances mentioning a few are

• Gaan Ngai Laam,
• Tamchan Laam,
• Gaanpi Kadimei Laam,
• Khangbon Kadimei Laam,
• Karapei Kadimei Laam,
• Tun Ngai Laam, etc

performed at different specific times of the year.

Gaan Ngai, for instance, the biggest festival of the Kabuis celebrated in the month of January by Manipur valley Kabuis and usually in December by hill Kabuis, is also marked by different kinds of dances. These dances are performed as a mark of promotion from a lower to a higher rank in the hierarchical social order as those of Gaanpi Kadimei and Khangbon Kadimei Laam.

And as for Karapei Kadimei Laam, it is performed to welcome an old woman into the women society, 'Karapei' meaning old woman in Kabui dialect. Dances are also performed as an act of social service as a cleanliness drive during the rainy season like the 'Tun Ngai Laam'.

These dances are performed in a varied ways, some only by unmarried women, some only by married women but most of them are performed by a mixture of both boys and girls.

Dances such as 'Mun Poumei Laam', 'Khong Poumei Laam', 'Chang Poumei Laam', 'Tariang Pangbian Poumei Laam', etc are also specific dances performed as acts of presenting flowers locally called 'Mun' to boys and girls and also as an act of inauguration of a new drum locally called 'Khong'. These dances are specially demonstrated with hand movements depicting the main action and purpose.

Last but not the least, the 'Ballu Laam', the dance of the gods also has several categories of dances.

• The 'Hoi Laam',
• the 'Zeihsung Laam',
• the 'Zouhmon Patmei Laam',
• the 'Goipi Thengmei Laam',
• the 'Banjai Laam',
• the 'Baan Laam', etc

are all parts of the Ballu Laam.

These individual dances are performed in groups by males alone, some by females alone and some by both the sex. The Zeihsung Laam, a dance performed by males alone and Zouhmon Patmei Laam, by females alone in a row with decorated gourd pointed forward 'Zouhmon' meaning rice beer.

'Goipi Thengmei Laam' also performed by males alone where each male dancer approach towards the cattle head 'Goipi' which is swung in a pole high above and whoever snatch and brings it down is declared victorious.

As in the 'Banjai Laam', both the male as well as the female dancers take part joining hands together. Each dance suggests a different meaning along with its constitution and steps.

The most significant feature of the Ballu Laam is that the dances are to be performed overnight without stoppage till the next morning, following the right feet and hand movements but the steps differ from song to song for various dances. The Kabuis consider it a blessing to be a part of these dances.

Kabui Naga dance is revolved around the supervision of the local social institution like Peikai, Khangchu, Luchu and Mathenmei Kaibang which are the houses of the village elders, the males, the females and the women society respectively.

These customs are according to the age long tradition and all these dances are led by dance leaders, the 'Lamrenpou'. The dance usually begins with an introductory dance called 'Ban Karaimei' and concludes with a farewell dance called the 'Thian Sonmei' followed by the traditional 'Hoi'.

Kabui Naga Dance reflects a unique character of the Kabuis and this alone outshines the other tribes of Manipur. And it is around this culture that they stand united till today and show their true worth as Kabuis.

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* Lallunglu Kamei wrote this article for The Sangai Expres . This article was webcasted on February 07, 2009.

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