Folk Dances of Nepal_Kami Nach\n\nPerformer: Unknown \nDate of Recording: 1991 \nCaste: Kami \nCollector: Dan Bahadur Nepali\n\nNepalese communities express their emotions through the rhythms of various folk dances. Folk dances, in fact, are an inseparable part of rural life. On the other hand, the religious influence can easily be observed in the songs and dances, which are often performed to please deities responsible for the well-being of humans and cattle, favorable climate, and good harvest. As the country has widely differing topographical features, so does it have vast variances in cultural aspects. Folk songs and dances depend on cultures, cas-tes, seasons, and geographical features. For example, a sherpa living in the Himalayan region sings and dances differently from a Tharu living in the Terai region. Similarly, songs and dances performed in the spring season express joyous emotions, whereas those performed in the winter season express sadness. This collection includes the most famous folk dances of the different indigenous communities of Nepal dwelling in various environments. These dances are a part of their daily life.\n\nThe Kami Naach is a traditional sword and shield dance from Jumla. It is performed in memory of Purichandra Tiruwa Kami, a famous Kami who was the military chief of King Bali (crowned in 1461) of Jumla. The dance is performed for various important life event ceremonies, including those of birth and marriage, but not death. Kami, people also known as bishwokarma, make weapons and tools for a living. In ancient times, this dance was performed by warriors as a rehearsal for war. Performers exhibit various positions of a soldier fighting in battle in this dance.

“Traditional Hunting of Taiga Dog” offers a powerful glimpse into Mongolia’s enduring nomadic heritage—where nature, history, and survival are deeply intertwined. In the heart of Central Asia, Mongolians have thrived for centuries through the blistering winters, gusty springs, searing summers, and stormy autumns by living in harmony with the land, their herds, and their faithful hunting companions—the Taiga dogs.\n\nThese remarkable dogs, known for their speed, intelligence, and resilience to Mongolia’s extreme climate, have long been indispensable to the Mongolian way of life. For generations, they have stood guard over livestock and ridden alongside hunters on horseback through vast steppes and dense forests. Among nomadic families, the bond between human and dog is sacred.\n\nRooted in ancient history, hunting has not only been a way of life but also a vital method of training warriors. Even under Chingis Khan’s rule, annual hunts were conducted as military drills to sharpen strategy, precision, and endurance. Marco Polo recorded the grandeur of Kublai Khan’s great hunts, where hundreds of falcons and thousands of riders roamed the plains—a testament to Mongolia’s deeply rooted hunting culture.\n\nToday, this legacy lives on. Across Mongolia, an annual Taiga Dog Race is held, celebrating the skill and spirit of these loyal animals while passing knowledge from one generation to the next. The event has grown into a vibrant cultural showcase, drawing both domestic tourists and passionate young hunters committed to preserving this invaluable tradition.\n\nThis film is a tribute to Mongolia’s nomadic resilience, to the enduring friendship between humans and animals, and to a culture that continues to thrive through the wisdom of its ancestors.

The Eagle Dance is a Mongolian folk dance expressing the movements of a white eagle flying across the sky. Dancers raise one leg and flap their arms, imitating eagles flapping their wings. They also perform powerful movements to dynamic music. The basic move of raising both arms while moving the shoulders up and down originates from the Mongolian Biyelgee dance.\n\nThe white eagle is known to be the totem bird of Genghis Khan, founder of the Mongol Empire. The Eagle Dance represents the bravery of 13th century Mongolian warriors, and is a permanent fixture in the repertoire performed at major national events.\n\nCharacteristics:\n∙Dance mimicking the movements of animals\n\nPerformed by Mongolian National Song and Dance Academic Ensemble\nDirected by Tseden-Ish Altangerel\nChoreopraphed by Davaakhuu Altangerel

Zhanakorgan district in Kazakhstan’s Kyzylorda region is a land steeped in history and spiritual heritage. Home to the ancient city of Syganak—once the capital of the Kipchaks and a key hub on the Great Silk Road—this sacred region carries the legacy of great thinkers, warriors, and artists. Among them is Korkyt-ata, the legendary 10th-century poet, philosopher, and creator of the kobyz, whose ideas about life, mortality, and moral integrity continue to shape Kazakh identity.\n\nInspired by Korkyt’s worldview, modern-day master craftsman Pakhriddin Sadykov brings the spirit of Kazakh heritage to life through woodcarving, sculpture, and musical instrument making. Born in Zhanakorgan, Sadykov overcame a difficult start and lack of formal training to become one of the most respected artisans in the Aral Sea region. His works—shaped by a deep reverence for Kazakh symbols such as the shanyrak, kobyz, and hearth—are not only artistic expressions but philosophical reflections on culture, life, and legacy.\n\nIn his bustling workshop, Pakhriddin mentors a new generation of craftsmen, including his own children, passing down traditional knowledge and skills. His approach goes beyond technical mastery—he teaches the soul of Kazakh art. For him, students who honor the craft with dedication are “living,” while those who pursue it only for profit are “dead.”\n\nDespite financial hardships and an unfinished dream of building a national arts center, Sadykov remains hopeful. He envisions a future where traditional Kazakh crafts flourish, not only as cultural treasures but also as sustainable livelihoods. This is a story of resilience, revival, and the timeless value of creativity rooted in heritage.

The ‘Ngajat Lesung’ is one of the famous dances in Sarawak. This is an Iban traditional dance and is believed to have been performed by warriors on their return from battles. \nThis dance is now performed to celebrate the most important harvest festival called ‘Gawai’, to welcome important guests to the longhouses.\n\nThis is also available at https://youtu.be/dH8-GBj4ehw

This dance is a modern reinterpretation of the traditional Haka dance, performed by the Maori in New Zealand. Haka was a ritual performed by Maori warriors to strengthen their resolve and the solidarity of the group, while displaying their might to the enemy before going into battle.\n\nMaori people are taught the Haka from an early age to build confidence and pride in their identity. Haka is officially taught in many schools in New Zealand as well. Through a long process of adaptation to the times and situations while remaining rooted in tradition, Haka has become a cultural symbol of New Zealand in the present day.\n\nCharacteristics:\n∙Modern reinterpretation of Haka, a traditional Maori dance\n\nPerformed by Atamira Dance Company\nDirected by Moss Patterson\nChoreographed by Moss Patterson