Dance & Music in Nagaland

Dance and music are essential parts of Nagaland’s culture. Most of the dances are performed in groups. The most artistic dance of the state is the “Zeliang” dance. Strangely it is the monopoly of men, except in Zeliang tribe where women join with their men folk in dancing. Most of the dances are performed by clapping and chanting of some formulae. The beauty of the dances is raised by the colourful costumes.

Music is also accompanied with the dance. The themes of the music and songs are many. They may glorify a tradition, praise a specific act of heroism, narrate an important event of the recent past or relate to a love story. The most popular songs of the tribes are : Heliamleu or dancing songs, Hereileu or war songs, Neuleu or legendry songs Hekialeu or songs about self.