Phumnian, which means ‘blooming’ in
Dogri, is a traditional dance of the
Dogras, performed in connection with the birth of a male child. It is usually performed after the harvest, in the lower hills of
Jammu.
Dancers dress in tight pyjamas, turbans and kurtas and dance in a circle - the dance movements show the opening and closing of their fingers, symbolizing the opening of the blossoms (the child is symbolized as a bud). The birth of the child, taking him in the lap, embracing him and blessing him are all enacted.
