Santhal dance, main attraction of Dashain fairs in Jhapa

By Bishnu Pokharel,Damak, Oct. 17: A Santhal fair has continuously been organised at Mangalbare in  Ward No 5 of Kamal Rural Municipality, Jhapa, on the occasion of the Dashain festival for the last 44 years.  

Hukum Singh Rai, Mayor of the Kamal Rural Municipality, said that the Dashain fair was also orgnaised on the occasion of Dashain this year, and the main attraction of the festival, as usual, was the Santhal dance. 

According to him, the fair has been organised in the same venue for the last 44 years and various Santhal groups and clubs from all over Jhapa district have been participating in the dance competition.

This year too, the spectators and the Santhal dance groups participated enthusiastically, he said. 

The local Sagun Youth Club has been coordinating the fair. 

Devi Prasad Angdambe, president of the Club, said that the local government has also been providing support.

According to him, the Dashain fair and Santhal dance have been taking place continuously since 1980. “Ten to 12 Santhal groups participate in the dance competition every year,” he said.

The Santhal dance, known as the most ancient and original dance of Nepal, is said to be a part of the ancestral tradition of the Santhal people, a marginalised community living in Jhapa, Morang and Sunsari districts of Koshi Province.

Since the beginning of Dashain on the day of Ghatasthapana, the Santhals take out the original musical instruments like Madal, Dhol and others from their houses and visit neighbours by dancing and asking for rice and beaten rice. They also visit the Dashain fairs in groups. 

In Kamal Rural Municipality of Jhapa, the Dashain fair and Santhal cultural programms are held in five different places. People of all ages come to perform the Santhal dance wearing their traditional attire and other colourful dresses. 

With peacock feathers on the head and turbans of mirrors and earrings, they dance collectively in the same rhythm and tune with musical instruments.

As the Santhals dance to the same rhythm keeping the national flag of Nepal on theie head and wearing similar Kachhad and kurta, their dance is unique and attractive.