Bagurumba: Keeping Bodo Identity Alive Through Dance

Bagurumba is a traditional folk dance of the Bodo community of Assam,Popularly known as the “butterfly dance”, This name come from its graceful movements, which resemble the fluttering of butterflies.

It is a way to show how the Bodo community thinks about the world. The Bagurumba dance is connected to nature and farming. How people live together in a community.

Bagurumba is really special. The dancers move their hands and feet to the music in a nice way. They stand together. It looks like butterflies flying around crops swaying gently in the wind and water flowing slowly in streams.

Bagurumba is mostly done by women. They dance in a graceful way. This dance shows that the Bodo people like to be balanced and live in harmony with nature.

Bagurumba is a dance that is all about being calm and peaceful just, like the Bodo people. It is a dance that makes you feel happy and relaxed like the Bodo people are. Bagurumba is a dance.

The Bagurumba dance is symbol of unity to the Bodo community because it shows how united they are. When people do the Bagurumba dance together it is like they are all connected. The Bagurumba dance is also a deal in Assam especially when they are celebrating Bihu. The Bagurumba dance helps to bring communities together and makes the people of Assam feel more connected, to each other.

The community is not the place where you can see Bagurumba. It is also a draw for people who visit the area. The beautiful rhythm of Bagurumba dance attracts tourists and people who love culture. They get to see what Assams traditional heritage is about. So Bagurumba does a lot of things. It keeps the traditions alive it helps people learn about the culture it brings in money and it shows the world how vibrant the culture of Assam really is. 

Bagurumba is traditionally performed during Baishagu (or Bwisagu), the Bodo similar of Bihu, which marks the transition into a new agricultural cycle.During Baishagu, people worship cows, seek blessings from elders, and offer prayers to Bathou, the chief deity of the Bodos.

Also, villages come together in celebration, and the dance becomes an expression of renewal, gratitude and collective joy. Dancers wear traditional attire such as the dokhona, Jwmgra and aronai, while indigenous instruments like the kham, siphung, serja and jotha provide a steady, earthy rhythm.

Bagurumba is primarily celebrated in Bodo-inhabited regions of Assam, particularly in districts like Kokrajhar, Chirang, Baksa, Udalguri, and parts of lower Assam. Over time, it has also found a place on larger platforms like state festivals, cultural programmes, national events, and international showcases, representing Bodo culture beyond its traditional landscape.

The future of Bagurumba is in the hands of all of us including the state, the community and the young people need to work to make sure Bagurumba stays alive. 

Bagurumba is a living tradition that need to carry forward with dignity and purpose. By valuing its indigenous roots and giving them contemporary space, Assam can ensure that Bagurumba continues to speak softly yet powerfully of identity, continuity and cultural pride.

ALSO READ: Dzuko Valley: An Escape From The ‘Concrete Jungle’