Deodhani dance

Deodhani dance is a Shaman folk dance from the Indian state of Assam. It can be performed either solo or in a group. Deodhani may have 2 origins. Firstly, the Austro-Dravidian Kaibarta-Jalkeot 'Deodha-Joki' dance origin of Undivided Kamrup region alongwith the Tibeto-Burman Bodo origin of 'Doudini Mwsanai'. A group performance of Deodhani generally consists of three or four women. The dance form is associated with the worship of the snake goddess Marei/Maroi. A Deodhani dance is generally performed to the accompaniment of songs sung by an Ojha traditional chorus leader in the Darrang district of Assam but is traditionally performed and accompanied by the 'BorDhul ie. The traditional Logdrum of the Kaibarta-Jalkeot people of Kamrup region.

History
Deodhani is derived from two words – Deo, which means God, and Dhani, which means woman, literally meaning a woman possessed (Shaman) by god. A male Shaman form is also present, called 'Deodha-Joki' in Kamrup by the Kaibarta-Jalkeot people and 'Deodhai' elsewhere in Assam. Deodhani depicts the dance of a Shaman woman or man when he or she is possessed by a spiritual being. In Deodhani, the songs sung by Ojapali are known as Xuknoni in undivided Darrang district and is quite distinct from the aboriginal 'Deodha-Joki' origin & ritualistic oracle cum Shamanistic dance form of the Kaibarta-Jalkeot community in Undivided Kamrup district it is accompanied by Bor-Dhol's.

Specification
Dancers take a sword and shield and present a virile war dance during the performance.