‘Bamboo Dance’ set to enter Guinness World Record

Aizawl, February 19 (morungexpress): India’s North East state, Mizoram will be attempting to set a new Guinness World Record on ‘Largest Bamboo Dance’ locally known as ‘Cheraw’ on March 12, 2010. Around 11, 500 participants in unique colourful tribal costumes from all walks of life within and outside the state will perform this mega event exactly at 2:00 p.m. making it the ‘Largest Bamboo dance’ ensemble.

The Assam Rifles Ground not being big enough to hold so many performers at one time, dancers will attempt the world record on the main roads of Aizawl covering a stretch of 3 kilometres, which is expected to make it not only the ‘largest’ but also the ‘longest Bamboo dance’ in the world. The event is being organised by the government of Mizoram.

The ‘Bamboo dance’ is the most colourful and distinctive dance of the Mizos requiring special skills and a nimble mind to perform. The dance is believed to have originated way back in the 1st century A.D., while the Mizos were somewhere in the Yunan Province of China, before migrating to the Chin Hills in the 13th Century A.D., and eventually to the present Mizoram state of India. Some tribes living in South East Asia have similar dance forms in one style or the other with different names.

The world record attempt will coincide with the celebration of the state’s biggest festival ‘Chapchar Kut’, on March 11, 2010 at Assam Rifles Ground, Aizawl. The state’s popular festival engages people of all ages, young and old, men and women dressed in their colourful costumes and distinctive head gears and unique beads, assemble and perform indigenous games, folk dances, singing traditional songs accompanied by beating of drums, gongs and cymbals. Handloom and handicraft of tribal arts are displayed for sale which goes together with luscious traditional cuisine. Modern music competition is sometimes held at this event.

It is important to note that Meghalaya, India’s popular North East tourist destination had recently set a Guinness World Record for the Largest Guitar ensemble.

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