Vakiria - is a female headress made of bamboo and decorated with feathers, beetles wings and other colorful objects, from the 1960s it evolved into the present form.The common costumes worn by the performers during the Cheraw dance include: Later practice of Cheraw is accompanied by accordion, mandolin and guitar played in non traditional clothes. The dancers steps in and out to the beats of the bamboos whilst moving their arms in a swinging motion choreographed aesthetically with ease and grace. It indicates the timing of the dance as well.
The bamboos, when clapped, produce a sound which forms the rhythm of the dance. The bamboos, placed horizontally, are supported by two bases, one at each end. The dancers move by stepping alternatively in and out from between and across a pair of horizontal bamboos, held against the ground by people sitting face to face on either side. The females who have a perfect sense of timing, dance gracefully by stepping in and out of the crossed and horizontally laid bamboo staves. Aptly supported by two bases, the bamboos are clapped not together on a particular beat by the male dancers. There is no denying the fact that Cheraw Dance is surely a most enchanting form of Mizoram culture. While some expressions of Cheraw Dance resemble the swaying of trees some others indicate the flying of birds as well as the harvesting of ripe paddy. More often than not the various movements made by the Cheraw dancers are inspired by the nature.
In fact this dance is performed on every occasion by the Mizo of Mizoram. However, the traditional beliefs have been diluted and the horizon of Cheraw Dance has expanded considerably. In the ancient time, Cheraw dance was performed in rituals as believed, to provide solace to the soul of a deceased mother who had passed on leaving her newborn child on earth. Long bamboo staves are used for this dance, therefore many people call it "Bamboo Dance". It is believed that the Cheraw dance originated as early as the 1st century AD. Recognized as one of the oldest dances of Mizoram, the Cheraw dance has become an integral part of almost every festival of Mizoram. While the male dancers move these bamboo staves in rhythmic beats, the female dancers perform by stepping in and out of the bamboo blocks. The Cheraw dance is characterized by the use of bamboo staves, which are kept in cross and horizontal forms on the ground. A Guinness World Record was made in 2010, when a large number of cheraw dancers danced together at the same time. Similar dances are found in the Far East and in the Philippines.In the Philippines they have a similar dance called Tinikling that also uses bamboo sticks.
It is the most famous and beautiful dance in Mizoram, and is the center of attraction during festive occasions. The male performers then clap the bamboos rhythmically while groups of female dancers dance in intricate steps between the beating bamboos. Chapchar Kut festival is celebrated during March after completion of their most arduous task of Jhum operation i.e., jungle-clearing (clearing of the remnants of burning).Ĭheraw dance is a traditional cultural dance performed in Mizoram, India, consisting of mostly six to eight people holding pairs of bamboo staves on another horizontally placed bamboo on the ground.
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