Garba
Circle dances of Gujarat performed at Navratri, with clapping or painted sticks.
Also: dandiya, dandiya raas
Garba and dandiya raas are the folk dances of Gujarat, performed in the nine nights of Navratri in autumn. In garba, dancers move in circles around a lamp or an image of the goddess, clapping in rhythm to drums and song. In dandiya, pairs strike decorated sticks together, moving in and out of the circle. Dancers wear bright chaniya choli skirts and kedia tops, with mirror-work and jewellery. Whole neighbourhoods and communities abroad hold garba nights, and the dances stay up until midnight. The practice is on UNESCO's intangible heritage list.
Region: South Asia