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The villagers also organize devil's dance known as Chham.
It may be mentioned that in Spiti, men and
women would have dance together for every occasion of festival or marriages. The Lamas,
however, do not participate in these dances. There is a community of professional dancers
called Betas who go round and hold various types of dances. They are poor economically and
low in caste - hierarchy. Some of their dances are for social reasons while a few others
are religious.
Folk and Ritual Dances in Tribal Area
One of the conspicuous features of the
tribal life in Trans-Himalayan region with unflinching Buddhist faith, is its colorful
dances which may conveniently be seen divided into two groups. One is a folk dance with
many types varying according to the type of assemblage, steps, rhythm and beat. The second
is a ritual masked dance in monasteries called chham dance.
Folk dance is as natural to the tribals of this
borderland as speech to human beings. As generally goes with the tribals their melodies
are marked by limited range of tunes in simple keys. Sinigng, dancing and drinking all go
together. The incessant repetition, rather than variety, is what is favored by all the
singers and dancers. The audience is seldom apart from what forms a group of singers and
dancers. However, the musicians constitute a different class who takes their seat
distinctly to give accompaniment to the singing and dancing crowd.
The myths, legends, folktales, ballads and
riddles that mirror musings, beliefs and traditions of the tribal people come to light. It
is either a harvest time or any other festive occasion that the myths and legends are
recited. In the winter season when they sit around a warming fire, the old men and women
tell folktales and riddles. In Lahaul the people used to burn with great economy and care
wood of willow, poplar, birch and juniper, the only few species that are scantily seen
growing there.
The Spiti Valley is more or less devoid of this
gift of the nature too. The Spitians have some bushes stacked on the roof-tops of their
houses. Of late, the Lahaulas have taken to stoves fitted with pipes, which serve, as
outlet for smoke. Some Spitians have also now taken to this technique of cooking and
warming.
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