JHUMOIR DANCE: A TRADITIONAL FOLK DANCE OF ASSAM

  • Jhumur Dance is a traditional folk dance of Assam’s Adivasi tea tribes.
  • Originated from Jharkhand’s Chotanagpur region, brought by the tea garden community.
  • Performed by the Sadan ethnolinguistic group, it is an integral part of harvest festivals, weddings, and community gatherings.
  • Performance and Style:
    • Circular Formation: Performed by both men and women.
    • Rhythmic Footwork: Energetic steps synchronized with lively music.
    • Instruments: Accompanied by Madal, Dhol, Taal, and Flute.
  • Cultural Significance:
    • Reflects the unity, pride, and struggles of Assam’s tea garden communities.
    • Songs narrate stories of migration, exploitation, and social struggles, highlighting the resilience of the tea tribes.

Assam’s Tea Tribe

  • Also known as the Tea Garden Communities, comprising workers and their descendants.
  • Originated from Central India (Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal) during the 19th century.
  • Many were forcibly brought under exploitative conditions by the British to work in tea plantations.
  • Demographics:
    • Constitutes 17% of Assam’s population.
    • Influences around 40 out of 126 Assembly seats, playing a crucial role in Assam’s political landscape.
  • Cultural Importance: A vital part of Assam’s tea production and cultural heritage.

Key Facts About Tea

  • Origin of Tea in India:
    • Early 19th century: Discovered by the British through the Singpo tribals of Assam.
    • Commercialized tea cultivation under British rule.
  • Tea Plant Characteristics:
    • Family:
    • Species:
      • Camellia sinensis (China variety).
      • Camellia assamica (Assam variety).
    • Growth: Evergreen shrub, can grow up to 30 feet if unpruned.
    • Climate: Thrives in 16-32°C, 150 cm rainfall, and 80% humidity.
    • Soil Requirements: Slightly acidic, well-drained, porous subsoil for water percolation.
    • Caffeine Content: Fresh leaves contain ~4% caffeine.
  • Tea Varieties with GI Tags:
    • Darjeeling Tea (India’s first GI-tagged product).
    • Assam Orthodox Tea, Nilgiri Orthodox Tea, Kangra Tea.
  • India’s Tea Industry:
    • Tea Estates: 39,700 across India.
    • Employment: Over 1 million workers.
    • Global Position:
      • 2nd largest tea producer globally after China.
      • 4th largest exporter of tea, with a 2023-24 export value of USD 781.79 million.
      • Top Export Markets: Iraq, UAE, Russia, US, UK, Germany.
    • Domestic Consumption: India consumes 80% of its tea production.
    • Small Tea Growers (STGs): Contribute 52% of total production, with 3 lakh growers.
  • Regional Production Trends:
    • North India (83% of production): Assam (Assam Valley, Cachar), West Bengal (Dooars, Terai, Darjeeling).
    • South India (17% of production): Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka.
  • Tea Board of India (TBI):
    • Established in 1954 under the Tea Act, 1953.
    • Functions under the Ministry of Commerce.
    • Headquarters: Kolkata (with overseas offices in London, Dubai, Moscow).
    • Structure: 31 members, including the Chairman, reconstituted every three years.

Leave a Reply