Chham Chhank

The Lamas of Lahul Spiti region of Himachal Pradesh perform Chham Chhank ceremonial dance related to their Chakhar festival which is held once in three years to pay tribute to the Buddha. The dancers wear a typical headgear called Chhank, after which the dance is named. The costume made of golden, black and yellow cloth decorated with traditional motifs in patch work is very distinctive. Some dancers carry swords and others knives while covering half their faces with a piece of black cloth. It is a very slow moving dance with circular movements and accompanied by musical instruments like Tangchim, a long straight trumpet, and Ghhan, a barrel-shaped drum. The musicians wear the traditional Lama libas along with beautiful headgear with yellow feathers.