Solakia

The Panvi and Lakher tribal communities, living in Chhimtuipui district of Mizoram perform Solakia dance. Both boys and girls participate in the dance and are guided by the leader who plays a gong to the beats of the rhythm. The stepping pattern is simple but very elegant. With the swaying movement of the body, the dancers swing their right legs towards the left delicately bending it at the knee. They take back the right leg and come forward in three rhythmic steps. Then they gracefully bend the knee and go back with three backward steps. The dancers wear their traditional ceremonial costume including a colorful headgear. Each leading dancer holds a spear and a shield followed by a dancer who brandishes a sword and slings a gun from the shoulder like a tribal hero. Accompanying percussion music is provided by long cylindrical drums, a set of gongs and cymbals.