Shapawng Yawng Manau Poi — A Tribal Dance in Arunachal Pradesh
One of the most fascinating things about India’s largest state in the North East, Arunachal Pradesh (AP), is its diversity. There are 26 major tribes and more than 100 sub tribes in this State, each with its own language, dresses, culture and traditions.
On my trip to east AP, I was fortunate enough to visit members of several tribes, thanks to my wonderful hosts, and also participate in some cultural events of the tribes.
The most memorable was the Shapawng Yawng Manau Poi, the annual festival of the Singpho tribe.
The Singpho tribe has its roots in Myanmar (Burma) and China, where the festival is also celebrated.
This day long affair is very significant for the tribe, as the community dance performed by all members, is in honour of Shapawng Yawng, the forefather of the Singphos.
It was an absolute joy for me to see all the Singphos, young, old, men and women, dressed in their traditional finery, dancing to the tune of the ‘live’ band.
The female members of the tribe wear Choi/Pipa tops and Singket wrapper (Skirt), Manmaokring (hat), Phugak around the neck, Ningwat waist wrapper and Bathang in lower legs.
The Singpho men generally wear a woven check patterned lungi (Khaithung) of black and green colour, lined with red, yellow and white yarn and shirt (Samtong), bag (Khak), and a turban (Khuphok).
My host was from the Tangsa tribe, but is married to a Singpho and I was very lucky because she let me wear her traditional finery! I had to be very careful as the Phugak is usually made of solid silver.
I also enjoyed dancing through the day. The step is easy to follow and the music is so foot tapping, that one can’t just stand by and watch.
The festival is held in mid February each year.
Enjoy this video that I shot as I watched in bewilderment that this is a part of India, and very few in the mainland even know about it!
The gathered members of the Singpho tribe dance like this from morning to evening with just an hour long break for lunch (for the band, mostly).
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