28, May 2025
Zeliangrong Folk Dances: The Cultural Symbolism and Ethnic Identity
Author(s): Ilungbale
Authors Affiliations:
Assistant Professor, Peren Government College, Peren, India
DOIs:10.2015/IJIRMF/202505029 | Paper ID: IJIRMF202505029Abstract
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Abstract: Folk dances are vital expressions of a community’s cultural identity, encapsulating its history, traditional values and customs, and relationship with nature. Among the Zeliangrong Nagas of Northeast India, these dances serve as living narratives that portray myths, social customs, and communal values. Tribal folk dances display a significant role in community bonding, fostering unity and a sense of understanding and belonging. This paper is an attempt to explore the cultural richness embedded in the Zeliangrong folk dances through detailed analysis of three major forms: the tribute dance, the Hecha Lim (Python Dance), and the banyan-hornbill dance. Each dance combines symbolic movements with poetic lyrics and rhythms, reflecting admiration for individuals, romanticism, and the harmonious interplay between humans and the natural world. The tribute dance celebrates exemplary individuals through metaphors of hospitality and benevolence, while the Hecha Lim reveals youthful romance through the sinuous, coiling gestures of the python. In contrast, the banyan tree dance uses nature imagery to emphasize feminine grace and communal joy. These dances, performed during festivals and social gatherings, are not only entertainment but also vehicles for moral teaching, oral history, and ecological reverence. This study highlights how Zeliangrong folk dances maintain continuity of tradition while fostering collective identity, showcasing the deep interconnection between people, culture, and the environment.
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Key Words:Â Zeliangrong folk dance, ethnic identity, oral tradition, Python dance, tribute song, community bonding, symbolism, cultural heritage, nature, romance.
Ilungbale(2025); Zeliangrong Folk Dances: The Cultural Symbolism and Ethnic Identity, International Journal for Innovative Research in Multidisciplinary Field, ISSN(O): 2455-0620, Vol-11, Issue-5, Pp.186-189.     Available on –  https://www.ijirmf.com/