Dhan Nach () or ''Yalang'' (
Limbu: ; ) is a traditional
Limbu folk dance, which originated in the
Limbuwan
Limbuwan is an area of the Himalayan region historically made up of 10 Limbu people, Limbu kingdoms, now part of eastern Nepal. Limbuwan means "abode of the Limbus" or "Land of the Limbus".
In modern times, a political movement in Nepal has deve ...
region of
Nepal
Nepal (; ne, नेपाल ), formerly the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal ( ne,
सङ्घीय लोकतान्त्रिक गणतन्त्र नेपाल ), is a landlocked country in South Asia. It is mai ...
. It is performed by people from Limbu (Yakthung) communities, native to
Eastern Nepal
The Eastern Development Region ( Nepali: पुर्वाञ्चल विकास क्षेत्र, ''Purwānchal Bikās Kshetra'') was one of Nepal's five development regions. It is also known as Kirata region. It was located at th ...
as well as
Darjeeling
Darjeeling (, , ) is a town and municipality in the northernmost region of the Indian state of West Bengal. Located in the Eastern Himalayas, it has an average elevation of . To the west of Darjeeling lies the easternmost province of Nepal, ...
,
Kalimpong
Kalimpong (Hindi: कलिम्पोंग) is a town and the headquarters of an eponymous district in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is located at an average elevation of . The town is the headquarters of the Kalimpong district. The re ...
and
Sikkim
Sikkim (; ) is a state in Northeastern India. It borders the Tibet Autonomous Region of China in the north and northeast, Bhutan in the east, Province No. 1 of Nepal in the west and West Bengal in the south. Sikkim is also close to the Siligur ...
regions of
India
India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the so ...
. The dance is accompanied by a folk song known as ''
Palam
Palam (phonetically Pālam) is a major residential colony located in South West Delhi. The Indira Gandhi International Airport, formerly known as ''Palam Airport'', the main airport of National Capital Region is situated here. It is one of 70 Vidh ...
''.
Etymology
''Dhan Nach'' in Nepali translates to paddy dance (''Dhan'' translates to paddy, ''nach'' translates to dance). The dance is also commonly known as ''Yalang.'' It is known by multiple names in Limbu communities according to their languages. In Chhathare Limbu language, it is known as ''Chalakma''. In Panthare Limbu language, it is known as ''Yalakma''. In every language, the name of the dance translates to paddy dance.
Origin mythology
According to local legend, there was a drought in a village and people were dying of starvation. Then ''Makcharepu'' (Limbu: ; ), a bird brought some seeds of ''Khaiya'' type of paddy and gave it to the villager to cultivate it. The villager did so and received a fruitful harvest. But the birds started eating most of the harvest. The villagers tried to shoo the bird away but the birds demanded the harvest since they were the ones who brought the seed. The villagers were unable to refute to that claim and agreed. The birds would directly eat the rice as soon as it was thrashed. So, the people started to loudly shout " ''Ha... Ha... Ha..''." to scare away the birds, which later became the rhythmic ''Palam'' song. While singing Palam, the people would hold hand dance over the paddy harvest which would separate the husk away from the rice. After which, the people started performing ''Dhan Nach'' every year during the month of
Mangsir
Mangsir ( ne, मङ्गसिर or मङ्सिर or मार्ग ) is the eighth month in the Bikram Samwat, the official Nepali calendar. This month coincides with the mid-November to mid-December of the Gregorian calendar.
Importa ...
.
Tradition
The dance is performed during multiple occasions such as marriage, festivals such as
Udhauli
Udhauli (उधौली) is a festival of the Kirat communities of Kirati people specially celebrated by Sunuwar, Limbu, Yakkha, Khambu Rai etc. of Nepal India and around the world by Kirati People and it is celebrated every year marking the ...
, carnivals and celebrations. It can be performed in pairs or in groups. It is performed by men and women without any blood relations holding hands and dancing either in a straight line or a circulus.
Historically, the dance was performed for seven days and seven nights.
In recent days, the dance is on the verge of extinction with young people's lack of participation. However, various cultural organizations are raising awareness for preservation and promotion of this dance form.
In popular media
In 2021, a short film titled ''Kheda'' was released to raise awareness about the dance form.
See also
* ''
Lakhey
Lākhey (Nepal Bhasa: लाखे or , lā-khé) (alternative spellings Lākhe, Lākhay, ) is the dance of a demon in the carnival of God.
Durbar Square, a historic plaza in Kathmandu, Nepal, facing ancient palaces and adorned by Hindu templ ...
''
* ''
Sangini
Sangini (Nepali: संगिनी) is a particular type of song and dance perform by the Nepali womenfolk during the occasion of a religious festival Tihar and Teej. It originated in the hilly regions of Nepal and is performed by Nepali women ...
''
* ''
Maruni
''Maruni'' is a Nepalese folk dance of the Magar community. Alongside Nepal, it is popular in Nepalese diasporic communities of India (Darjeeling, Assam, Sikkim), Bhutan and Myanmar. It is one of the oldest and most famous dance of the Nepalese c ...
''
References
{{Reflist
Dance in Nepal
Nepalese folk dances
Limbu culture
Culture of Sikkim
Culture of Province No. 1