History & Traditions
Among all the dances the best and the most attractive dance in Assam is the Bagurumba dance. This is mainly a formation dance performed with slow steps and outstretched hands. A group of girls dressed in most colourful dokhna, jwmgra and aronai costumes usually perform this dance with the accompaniment of traditional musical instruments of Bodos. This dance is common in the Bodo inhabited areas of Kokrajhar, Bongaigaon, Nalbari, Darrang and Sonitpur districts. This dance is also called as the Bardwisikhla dance.
The dance is the usually performed during Bwishagu festival of the Bodos in the Bishuba Sankranti or in Mid-April. The Bwishagu festival begins with a worship of the cows and then the young people bow down to their parents and other elders in the house. After this the Bathou is worshipped by offering the deity chicken and zou i.e rice beer. The musical instruments like Serja, Sifung and Tharkha also accompany the dance. With these instruments, Kham, a long drum made of wood and goatskin and Gongona, a musical instrument of a curved horn is also used. The festival is celebrated with pleasure in all areas of Bodo community. This festival ends with a community prayer at Garjasali.
The Bodos traditionally dance the Bagurumba. It is practised and performed usually by young village girls and also evident in schools and colleges dominated by the Boro community. This dance is accompanied by the Bagurumba song which goes like this
Bagurumba, Hai Bagurumba
Bagurumba, Hai aio Bagurumba
jat nonga bwla khun nonga bwla
thab brum homnanwi bamnanwi lagwmwn kha
hwi lwgw lagwmwn kha...
Musical instruments
Among many different musical instruments, the Bodos use:
Siphung: This is a long bamboo flute having five holes rather than six as the north Indian Bansuri would have and is also much longer than it, producing a much lower tone.
Serja: A violin-like instrument. It has a round body and the scroll is bent forward.
Tharkha: A block of bamboo split into two halves for clapping.
kham: A long drum made of wood and goat skin.
Khawang: A pair of round metallic plates, tied by a rope, a smaller version of that being used in namghar.
Quick Info Table: Bagurumba Dance – Bodo Folk Tradition of Assam
| Name | Details |
|---|---|
| Dance Name | Bagurumba (also known as Bardwisikhla Dance) |
| Cultural Origin | Bodo Tribe, Assam, India |
| Occasion | Performed during Bwishagu Festival (mid-April, Bishuba Sankranti) |
| Dance Type | Folk and formation dance performed by women |
| Performers | Young Bodo women wearing traditional attire |
| Attire | Dokhna, Jwmgra, and Aronai |
| Major Instruments | Siphung (bamboo flute), Serja (string instrument), Tharkha (bamboo clapper), Kham (drum), Khawang (metal plates) |
| Dance Theme | Harmony with nature, joy, community spirit, and cultural pride |
| Alternate Name | Bardwisikhla Dance |
| Festival Connection | Linked with cow worship, Bathou worship, and family blessings during Bwishagu |
| Popular Regions | Kokrajhar, Bongaigaon, Nalbari, Darrang, Sonitpur |
| Cultural Significance | Symbol of Bodo identity, unity, and respect for nature |
| Tourist Attraction | Featured in cultural festivals, school events, and Assam tourism fairs |
| Best Time to Witness | April during the Bwishagu celebrations across Bodo villages |
FAQs with Short Answers
1. What is Bagurumba dance?
Bagurumba is a traditional folk dance of the Bodo tribe in Assam, performed mainly by women during the Bwishagu festival.
2. Who performs the Bagurumba dance?
The Bagurumba dance is performed by young Bodo women wearing traditional attire like dokhna, jwmgra, and aronai.
3. During which festival is Bagurumba performed?
It is performed during Bwishagu, a spring festival of the Bodos celebrated around mid-April (Bishuba Sankranti).
4. What is the meaning of Bagurumba?
Bagurumba symbolizes the harmony between humans and nature, often called the “Butterfly Dance” for its graceful movements.
5. What musical instruments accompany Bagurumba?
Instruments like Siphung, Serja, Tharkha, Kham, and Khawang accompany the dance.
6. What is the traditional dress for Bagurumba?
Performers wear colorful Dokhna, Jwmgra, and Aronai, traditional Bodo garments representing their cultural identity.
7. Where is the Bagurumba dance performed?
It is common in Bodo-dominated districts like Kokrajhar, Bongaigaon, Nalbari, Darrang, and Sonitpur in Assam.
8. What is the other name of Bagurumba dance?
Bagurumba is also known as the Bardwisikhla Dance, referring to the Bodo goddess of wind and rain.
9. What is the significance of Bagurumba?
It reflects the Bodo people's love for nature, unity, and joy during agricultural renewal.
10. What type of dance is Bagurumba?
It is a formation and rhythmic folk dance characterized by slow, graceful hand movements and synchronized steps.
