Koya Dance

The Koya tribes of Andhra Pradesh's forests have strong affinity with Marias, tribes wearing Bison-horn head dress in Bastar, of Orissa state. Their Dances have the same forest tribal rites, Rituals, Magical significance and an identical energy.

The Koyas live in remote forest Hill-tops in Vishakapatnam District. Their dances include, Mayura Nat (Peacock Dance) are exclusively performed by Men, Harvesting Festival dance is performed in the month of April every year.

Dance among the Koyas is richly varied and sophisticated. The most important occasion for dancing is the worship of the mother goddess in the month of Chaitra (April-May). Ordinarily both boys and girls participate in dancing but the girls are more conspicuous. However, in the festival only girls participate. During the dance, the girls keep rhythm by beating sticks on the ground which are fitted with small bells. Dance groups are formed by about 30 to 40 persons. The most conspicuous movement about Koya dance is the complicated winding and unwinding of circles formed by girls.

The dance is done in small steps, forming complex patterns on intricate rhythmical phrases of half-beats and quarter beats. The musical and rhythmical accompaniments mainly consist of the Pioodi and Mayunga. Pioodi is a flute of three feet Bamboo stick with five holes on the end.