Sammi
(Shahmukhi: سمّی) is a traditional dance form originating from the tribal communities of
Punjab
Punjab (; Punjabi: پنجاب ; ਪੰਜਾਬ ; ; also romanised as ''Panjāb'' or ''Panj-Āb'') is a geopolitical, cultural, and historical region in South Asia, specifically in the northern part of the Indian subcontinent, comprising ...
.
The dance is popular in the
Sandalbar
The Sandal Bar ( pa, ) is a region between the rivers Chenab and Ravi in Punjab, Pakistan. It is located in the southern part of Rechna Doab. It spreads over almost in width (west to east) and in length (north to south). "Bar", in the local l ...
area of
Punjab, Pakistan
Punjab (; , ) is one of the four provinces of Pakistan. Located in central-eastern region of the country, Punjab is the second-largest province of Pakistan by land area and the largest province by population. It shares land borders with the ...
.
Costume
The dancers are dressed in bright colored
kurta
A ''kurta'' is a loose collarless shirt or tunic worn in many regions of South Asia, (subscription required) Quote: "A loose shirt or tunic worn by men and women." Quote: "Kurta: a loose shirt without a collar, worn by women and men from South ...
s and full flowing skirts called
lehenga The ''lehenga'', ''lehnga'' or ''langa'' (also known as a ''ghagra'' or ''gagra'', ''chaniya'', ''pavadai'', or ''lacha'') is a form of ankle-length skirt from the Indian subcontinent. Different patterns and styles of traditional embroidery are used ...
s. A peculiar silver hair ornament is associated with this dance.
Performance
Like
Giddha
Giddha ( pa, گدها, ਗਿੱਧਾ, ) is a popular folk dance of women in the Punjab region. The dance is often considered derived from the ancient dance known as the ring dance and is just as energetic as bhangra; at the same time it mana ...
it is danced in a circle. The dancers stand in a ring and swing their hands bringing them up from the sides, right in front. The refrain of the most popular Sammi song is "Sammi Meri waar..".
See also
*
Punjabi dance
Punjabi dances are an array of folk and religious dances of the Punjabi people indigenous to the Punjab region, straddling the border of India and Pakistan. The style of Punjabi dances ranges from very high energy to slow and reserved, and there ...
*
Giddha
Giddha ( pa, گدها, ਗਿੱਧਾ, ) is a popular folk dance of women in the Punjab region. The dance is often considered derived from the ancient dance known as the ring dance and is just as energetic as bhangra; at the same time it mana ...
– Punjabi Female dance.
*
Bhangra – Punjabi Male dance.
References
Further reading
:Schreffler, Gibb. 2012.
Desperately Seeking Sammi: Re-inventing Women’s Dance in Punjab. ''Sikh Formations'' 8(2).
{{Pakistani wedding
Punjabi culture
Folk dances of Punjab