Laho Folk Dance Dress is rich, colourful, and very noticeable on stage. This dance is not about fast jumps or heavy movements. It is about balance, rhythm, and graceful group coordination. Because of this, the costume is designed to look elegant even when dancers are standing very close to each other.
In Laho, the woman stands between two men, and all three dancers link arms. So the costume must sit properly on the body, stay in place, and look neat from every angle. Loose or poorly fitted clothes spoil the look immediately. That’s why costume plays a very important role in this dance.
What Is Laho Folk Dance and Where Is It Performed
Laho is a traditional folk dance of the Jaintia community of Meghalaya. It is usually performed during the Behdienkhlam festival and other local celebrations. Over time, it has also become popular in school cultural programs and folk dance competitions.
This dance is known for:
- A trio formation (one woman between two men)
- Linked-arm movements
- Slow, rhythmic stepping and swaying
Because dancers stay connected throughout the performance, the costume has to support close movement without slipping, opening, or looking awkward.
Why Costume Is Important in Laho Dance Formation
In Laho, costume is not just worn for tradition. It directly supports the dance structure.
Costume is important because:
- Dancers remain linked at the waist and arms
- Clothes must look graceful even when bodies are close
- Heavy jewellery should stay balanced, not swing wildly
- The trio should look like one flowing unit on stage
If the woman’s Jainsem slips or the men’s coats bunch up, the formation looks broken. For schools especially, correct costume fitting makes the dance look organised and confident, even with simple steps.
A well-chosen Laho folk dance dress makes the “step and sway” movement look smooth and visually pleasing.
Types of Laho Folk Dance Costumes Used on Stage
On stage, Laho costumes are not all exactly the same. The basic style stays traditional, but the weight, fabric, and jewellery change depending on where the dance is being performed.
For local festivals, the costume is heavy and fully traditional. Real silk is used, jewellery is original or very heavy, and everything is worn the traditional way.
For cultural stage shows and competitions, the costume still looks rich but is made lighter. Jewellery is balanced properly so it doesn’t swing too much, and the dress is pinned or stitched for clean movement.
For school performances, the costume is simplified. The look remains the same, but lighter fabric and imitation jewellery are used so children can dance comfortably and safely.
What Is Included in a Complete Laho Folk Dance Dress
A complete Laho folk dance dress includes clothing and accessories for both women and men. Each item has a reason and adds to the overall look of the trio formation.
For women, the dress includes:
- Jainsem, worn over both shoulders
- Kyrshah, worn on the head or shoulders in traditional settings
- Heavy necklace like Kynjri
- Coral-style bead necklace (Paila)
- Headband or crown
For men, the dress includes:
- Dhoti, neatly wrapped
- Jymphong, the sleeveless coat
- Turban (Koyet)
- Silk scarf
For stage and school use, the same items are used, but lighter versions are chosen so the costume stays in place and looks neat throughout the performance.
Laho Folk Dance Dress for Women
In Laho dance, the woman stands between two men, so her costume becomes the main focus on stage. The dress is rich, colourful, and designed to look graceful even when dancers are linked closely.
Women’s costume includes:
- Jainsem – A two-piece traditional dress made from silk.
- One piece is draped over each shoulder and secured with a brooch.
- Kyrshah – A checkered cloth worn over the head or shoulders, especially in traditional performances.
Jewellery worn by women:
- Kynjri – Heavy gold or silver necklace
- Paila – Coral bead necklace with gold beads
- Gold or silver headband / crown
The Jainsem must be pinned or stitched properly so it doesn’t slip when arms are linked. Heavy jewellery should sit flat on the body and not swing too much.
Laho Folk Dance Dress for Men
Men in Laho support the formation and match their steps with the woman. Their costume is neat, structured, and dignified.
Men’s costume includes:
- Dhoti – White or silk dhoti wrapped neatly
- Jymphong – Sleeveless traditional coat, usually dark-coloured
- Turban (Koyet) – Large, formal turban in white or yellow silk
- Silk scarf – Draped around the neck
The coat should fit well at the shoulders so it looks clean when dancers are linked together.
Laho Folk Dance Dress for Girls and Boys
For girls and boys, the Laho costume is made easy to wear while keeping the traditional look.
Girls usually wear:
- Mini Jainsem, often pre-pinned
- Light imitation jewellery
- Small headband instead of a heavy crown
Boys usually wear:
- Simple dhoti
- Short Jymphong coat
- Readymade turban cap
The biggest thing to check for children is fitting. If the costume is loose or too heavy, it affects their posture and the dance looks untidy. When the dress fits well, kids perform more confidently.
Laho Folk Dance Dress for Kids and School Performances
Laho is very popular in schools because the steps are simple and rhythmic. For school performances, the costume needs to stay in place and allow easy movement.
School-friendly adjustments:
- Pre-stitched Jainsem for girls
- Imitation coral and gold jewellery
- Lightweight fabric instead of heavy silk
- Readymade turbans for boys
Uniform colours and designs are important so the trio formations look balanced and neat on stage.
Fabric Used in Laho Dance Costume and Climate Comfort
Laho costumes are known for their rich look, but fabric comfort still matters, especially during long performances. Traditionally, silk is used, but for stage and school programs, lighter options are chosen.
Common fabric choices:
- Muga silk or fine silk for traditional performances
- Printed silk for stage programs
- Silk-blend or soft fabric for school performances
These fabrics drape well and keep the costume elegant even when dancers are linked closely. Very heavy silk can become uncomfortable under stage lights, so schools usually choose lighter versions that look similar.
Jewellery, Headgear, and Traditional Accessories Used in Laho Costume
Jewellery is one of the most striking parts of Laho dance dress, especially for women.
Common accessories include:
- Kynjri – Heavy gold or silver necklace
- Paila – Coral bead necklace with gold beads
- Gold or silver headband / crown
- Turban (Koyet) for men
- Silk scarf for men
For children and school performances, imitation jewellery is used so the look stays traditional without being heavy or risky.
How Costume Supports the “Step and Sway” Laho Dance Formation
In Laho, dancers link arms and move together. The costume is designed to look good in this close formation.
- The Jainsem falls smoothly even when arms are linked
- The Jymphong coat keeps a clean shape at the shoulders
- Jewellery adds shine without disturbing movement
When costumes fit properly, the trio looks like one continuous flow of colour on stage.
Difference Between Daily Jaintia Traditional Wear and Laho Dance Costume
Daily wear and dance costume may look similar but serve different purposes.
| Daily Wear | Laho Dance Costume |
|---|---|
| Simple and practical | Rich and decorative |
| Minimal jewellery | Heavy jewellery |
| Worn individually | Designed for group formation |
| Not pinned | Properly secured |
Using daily wear for dance usually results in slipping clothes and an unfinished look.
Difference Between Village Festival Costume and Stage Performance Costume
Village festival costumes follow tradition closely. Stage costumes are adapted for comfort and safety.
| Village Costume | Stage Costume |
|---|---|
| Heavy silk | Lighter fabric |
| Real gold/coral | Imitation jewellery |
| No stitching | Pre-pinned/stitched |
| Individual style | Uniform group look |
Schools should always go for stage-friendly costumes.
Common Mistakes While Choosing Laho Folk Dance Dress
Some common mistakes seen in school and competition performances:
- Choosing oversized Jainsem
- Using very heavy jewellery for kids
- Poorly tied turbans
- Mixing modern accessories
- Mismatched colours in group dances
Avoiding these mistakes makes the performance look clean and confident.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Which state does Laho folk dance belong to?
A. Laho folk dance belongs to the Jaintia community of Meghalaya.
Q. Why is the woman placed between two men in Laho dance?
A. It is the traditional formation of the dance.
Q. What is the main dress worn by women in Laho dance?
A. The Jainsem.
Q. Is heavy jewellery compulsory for school performances?
A. No, imitation jewellery is commonly used.
Q. Can kids perform Laho dance?
A. Yes, it is very popular in school cultural programs.
Q. What fabric is best for school costumes?
A. Silk-blend or soft printed fabric.
Q. Are turbans compulsory for men?
A. Yes, they are an important part of the costume.
Q. Can daily traditional clothes be used as dance costume?
A. No, stage costumes are different.
Sapna Kumari is the founder of Sanskriti Fancy Dresses (Since 2018) and a dance teacher who has been closely associated with school cultural programs and stage performances.
Through her work with schools, teachers and parents, she has gained practical experience in planning costumes for annual functions, folk dance performances and fancy dress competitions.
She writes about school costume planning, folk dance dresses and cultural event preparation to help teachers and parents organize stage performances smoothly.
Sapna Kumari has been actively working in the field of school event costumes and cultural performances.
Her experience includes:
costume planning for school annual functions
folk dance costumes for stage performances
fancy dress competition preparation
bulk costume coordination for school events
Through Sanskriti Fancy Dresses, she works closely with teachers, dance instructors and event coordinators to help them arrange costumes efficiently for school programs.