New Taigress

Shan Culture - Traditions

The dances that we like to perform

The people of every race in the world have their own drum or musical instruments, culture and traditional dance. Every race applies a certain use of their instruments with their dances. In our Shan race there are many different cultures, each with their own form of dancing. The long drum has been in our Shan culture for a very long time. This drum is not like the others, it is very pleasant to listen to. Any Shan if they heard this sound wherever they are, they want to see, listen and dance with this.

Long Drum

There are several different styles in our Shan traditional dances. Such as the art of fighting dances, fencing dances, Toe dances (yak dances), Kyingalar dances (kind of bird dances), Shan kettle-drum dances, Cha-Cha-Mong (dancing round the long drum) and other dances. All of Shan traditional dances are dancing with our long drum, gong and symbol. Toe and Kyingalar dances and Cha-Cha-Mong dances are most popular in these dances.

Tai Fighters

Toe dance (yak dance) looks like a yak, which is made by a strip of bamboo and covered by the cloth. There are different colours. The dance requires two performers to be front and rear legs. The front performer has to stand up and holds the head of Toe by his hand. The back performer has to stoop all the time and follow the front performer to be in harmony.

Toe (Yak)

There are two different dances of Kyingalar (male bird) and Kyingare (female bird). Kyingalar dance looks like a peacock. The body of Kyingalar is human and a wing is put at the waist. The dancer dances merrily step by step.

Kyingalar

pair Kyingalar & Kyingare

Cha-Cha-Mong (dancing round the long drum) is a very simple dance. This kind of dance is dancing around the long drum. There are only three steps, forwards two steps and back one step in time with the drum. This dancing is not only enjoyable but also gets friendship and everybody can dance together. So dancing round the long drum is the dance of our Shan people.

drum dance Dancing around the long drum

In fact, it is not only a performance, but also a symbol of our culture. Actually, Toe and Kyingalar dances have danced at the only of vital role in Shan community and Thadingyut festival (the end of Buddhist lend). But nowadays, these dances can be seen at every Shan traditional festivals. Because wherever we live in our homeland or second home we have to preserve our traditions to keep them alive.

From Light For Freedom Group