Around 10,000 Bodo dancers will perform the traditional Bagurumba dance at Sarusajai, Guwahati, during the visit of Narendra Modi on January 17, aiming to create a Guinness World Record.

What is Bagurumba?

• Bagurumba, often called the “Butterfly Dance”, is a traditional folk dance of the Bodo community of Assam, the dance is inspired by and dedicated to nature.
  
• It is performed mainly by Bodo women specially during Bwisagu festival and symbolises freedom, harmony with nature, joy and life.
  
• The dance is known for soft, rhythmic movements that resemble the fluttering of butterflies.
  

Costume and symbolism

• Dancers wear traditional attire such as Dokhona, Jwmgra (shoulder scarf), and Aronai (traditional muffler).
  
• Dokhona is a single-piece woven garment; the name reflects its six-corner design.
  
• Floral motifs like Hajw or Pahar Agor reflect the close link between Bodo culture and nature.
  

Music and instruments

Bagurumba is accompanied by indigenous instruments, including:

• Kham (GI tag) – traditional drum made of wood and animal skin
  
• Sifung (GI tag)– bamboo flute
  
• Serja (GI tag) – bowed string instrument
  
• Jotha (GI tag), Jabsring, Gongwna (GI tag), Tharkha – percussion and rhythm instruments
  

More than 400 master trainers, hundreds of instrumentalists, and singers have been involved in rehearsals.

Exam Hook – Prelims 

Q. Consider the following statements about Bagurumba dance:

1. It is a traditional dance performed mainly by Bodo women.
   
2. The dance imitates the movement of butterflies and symbolises harmony with nature.
   
3. It is accompanied by instruments like kham and sifung.
   

Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Correct answer: (d)

One-line takeaway:
Bagurumba is not just a dance—it is a graceful expression of Bodo identity, nature worship and cultural continuity.

SOURCE