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'Zeliang' is a tribal folk dance of which state?
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Answer: Option C — Nagaland
Detailed Solution
The correct answer is Nagaland. The Zeliang dance is a traditional dance of the Zeliang tribe of Nagaland. The Zeliangs live mainly in the Peren district, in the south-western part of the state, as well as in parts of Manipur and Assam. They are made up of two main groups, the Zeme and the Liangmai, and their name comes from a combination of these two names.
The Zeliang dance is performed by young men and women during festivals and community celebrations. The dancers wear colourful traditional costumes, including woven shawls with distinctive patterns, beaded necklaces, ornaments made of shells and brass, and headgear decorated with feathers. They dance in groups, often in lines or circles, with rhythmic, energetic steps and movements, while singing traditional songs. The dance is known for its graceful coordination between the men and women. The Zeliangs celebrate festivals linked with the agricultural year, such as Hega (also called Mileinyi), a festival of purification and renewal marked by rituals, feasts, songs and dances.
Nagaland has more than 15 major recognised tribes, each with its own culture and dances. Important dances of the state include Chang Lo and Changai (Chang tribe), Sadal Kekai (Kuki tribe), Rengma (Rengma tribe), Leshalaptu, Aaluyattu and the many war dances of the Angami, Ao, Konyak and other tribes. The Hornbill Festival, held every year from 1 to 10 December at the Kisama Heritage Village near Kohima, brings all the tribes of Nagaland together.
About the other options:
- Mizoram is known for Cheraw, Khuallam and Chheih Lam.
- Tripura is known for Hojagiri, Garia and Mamita.
- Sikkim is known for Chu Faat, Maruni and Tashi Sabdo.
- None of these is associated with the Zeliang dance.
💡 Exam tip
Link the Zeliang tribe with the Peren district of Nagaland and the Zeliang dance. Many Naga dances are named after the tribes that perform them, such as Zeliang and Rengma.💬 Discussions on this question
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Indian Dance Forms — Preparation
This question tests your understanding of Indian Dance Forms, a key topic in the General Knowledge section. The detailed solution above uses a step-by-step approach to show the reasoning, and where available, a shortcut that helps you solve similar questions in under 90 seconds during the actual exam.
Indian dance forms are one of the most frequently tested areas of static GK. This topic covers the eight classical dances recognised by the Sangeet Natak Akademi (Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Kathakali, Kuchipudi, Odissi, Manipuri, Mohiniyattam and Sattriya), the folk and tribal dances of every state, and related terms such as mudra, abhinaya, lasya and tandava. Most questions ask which state a dance belongs to, which community performs it, or which feature identifies a classical style. Learn the classical dances with their state and one signature feature each, such as the face make-up of Kathakali or the brass plate of Kuchipudi. For folk dances, group them state by state, since exams often list three or four dances and ask for the common state. Watch for dances shared by more than one state, such as Chhau, which has three styles. Practise the Indian dance forms questions below, written in the style of the general awareness sections of exams such as SSC, banking, railways, CUET GAT, MAH CET and CLAT. Each question comes with a detailed explanation that adds related facts, so every question helps you revise more than one point.