Jhumur Dance

The year 2025 marks celebration for Assam as it commemorates the 200th anniversary of its tea industry. On February 24, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the Jhumoir Binandini 2025 event in Guwahati. This event is touted as the largest jhumur dance performance in history, featuring 8,600 dancers. The occasion will also see the presence of 60 international diplomats, denoting the global importance of Assam’s tea culture.

About the Tea Garden Community

• The term “tea tribe” refers to the diverse community of tea garden workers in Assam.
• These individuals migrated from Central India during the 19th century, often under coercive conditions.
• They came from regions like Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and West Bengal to work in British-run tea estates.
• This migration involved harsh realities. Workers faced poor living conditions, low wages, and a lack of freedom.
• Many died from diseases or violence while working in the tea gardens.
• Today, their descendants are primarily located in Upper Assam and the Barak Valley. Although designated as Other Backward Classes (OBC), they have long sought Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to improve their socio-economic conditions.

The Significance of Jhumur Dance

• Jhumur is a traditional folk dance integral to the tea garden community.
• Originating from the Sadan ethnolinguistic group, it reflects a blend of cultural practices brought to Assam by migrants.
• Jhumur is performed during tea garden festivals, notably Tushu Puja and Karam Puja, which celebrate harvest time.
• The dance is predominantly performed by women, accompanied by men playing traditional instruments like madal and dhol.
• Dancers wear vibrant attire, often characterised by red and white sarees. The choreography involves coordinated movements and footwork, with singers performing in languages such as Nagpuri and Khortha.

Jhumur Songs and Cultural Identity

Jhumur songs are often upbeat but carry deeper meanings. They recount the struggles and histories of tea plantation workers. As noted by scholars, these songs reflect the community’s experiences of migration and exploitation. They serve as a vehicle for social cohesion, helping workers retain their cultural identity in the face of adversity. The tradition of jhumur thus plays important role in the cultural landscape of Assam, encouraging a sense of belonging among the tea garden community.

Current Relevance and Future Prospects

The celebration of jhumur dance at the Jhumoir Binandini 2025 event puts stress on the importance of recognising and preserving the cultural heritage of Assam’s tea tribes. It also marks the ongoing struggles of these communities for better socio-economic status. As Assam continues to thrive on its tea industry, the jhumur tradition remains a vital link to its past and a beacon for future generations.

Questions for UPSC:

1. Critically discuss the socio-economic challenges faced by tea garden communities in Assam.
2. Examine the role of folk traditions like jhumur in preserving cultural identities among migrant communities.
3. Estimate the impact of colonial policies on the migration patterns of labourers in 19th century India.
4. Analyse the significance of tea production in Assam’s economy and its global implications.

Answer Hints:

1. Critically discuss the socio-economic challenges faced by tea garden communities in Assam.

1. Tea garden workers often live in poor conditions with inadequate access to healthcare and education.
2. Despite their contributions, they remain among the poorest socio-economic groups in Assam.
3. Many tea garden workers are classified as Other Backward Classes (OBC), limiting their access to certain government benefits.
4. There is a long-standing demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to improve their socio-economic standing.
5. Marginalization has led to a lack of representation in political and social spheres, exacerbating their challenges.

2. Examine the role of folk traditions like jhumur in preserving cultural identities among migrant communities.

1. Jhumur dance serves as a cultural expression, reflecting the history and struggles of the tea garden community.
2. It encourages social cohesion by bringing together individuals from diverse backgrounds within the community.
3. The dance and its accompanying songs help preserve linguistic and cultural practices from migrants’ homelands.
4. Participating in jhumur festivals reinforces a sense of belonging and identity among the tea garden workers.
5. Through performances, the community can narrate their stories, thus keeping their history alive for future generations.

3. Estimate the impact of colonial policies on the migration patterns of labourers in 19th century India.

1. Colonial policies facilitated the establishment of tea plantations, leading to a demand for labor in Assam.
2. Many laborers were forcibly migrated from Central India under exploitative conditions to work in tea estates.
3. Colonial rule created a labor system that restricted workers’ freedom and subjected them to harsh working conditions.
4. High mortality rates during migration and in plantations reflected the brutal realities of colonial labor policies.
5. This migration pattern established a legacy of socio-economic challenges that persist in the tea garden communities .

4. Analyse the significance of tea production in Assam’s economy and its global implications.

1. Tea production is a major contributor to Assam’s economy, providing employment to millions in the region.
2. Assam is one of the world’s largest tea producers, influencing global tea markets.
3. The tea industry plays a vital role in the state’s GDP and export revenues, showcasing Assam’s agricultural potential.
4. International demand for Assam tea promotes cultural exchange and recognition of the region’s heritage.
5. Challenges like climate change and socio-economic issues threaten the sustainability of tea production, necessitating adaptive strategies.