Riju Dune

To welcome the Podi-Barji, the Gallongs perform the Riju Dune dance. Both men and women participate in the dance. The dancers stand in three rows holding each other’s hands. The leader of the dance is called Miri. He sings and brandishes his sword called Dao which produces a tinkling sound since iron rings are loosely incorporated in the sword. The dancers repeat the line sung by the Miri and swinging their hands go forward and backward. There are four movements in the dance and each movement begins with a new stanza of the song tendered by the Miri. The female dancers wear a typical costume called Jese-Kore, which is a white lungi like skirt with a black border at the bottom and a black band with design in the middle. The costume also includes a red blouse. They wear necklaces made of colored beads and very large size earrings. The male dancers wear white loin cloth and a black sleeveless jacket called Labuk. No musical instrument other than the Dao is used.