Chang Lo is a traditional folk dance performed by tribes belonging to which Indian state?

Introduction / Context:
Northeastern India is home to many distinctive tribal communities and folk dances, each reflecting the traditions, costumes, and festivals of the local people. Chang Lo is one such folk dance that often appears in questions on Indian culture and regional diversity. Identifying the correct state to which this dance belongs helps deepen understanding of the cultural geography of India, especially with respect to tribal societies in the northeastern region.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The name of the folk dance is Chang Lo.
• The options are Nagaland, Assam, Punjab, and Arunachal Pradesh.
• We must associate the dance with the correct northeastern state.
• We assume standard exam oriented classifications of folk dances.

Concept / Approach:
Chang Lo dance is associated with the Chang tribe of Nagaland. It is usually performed during festive occasions and traditional ceremonies, often involving colourful costumes, headgear, and rhythmic movements. While Assam and Arunachal Pradesh also have rich dance traditions, Chang Lo is specifically tied to a Naga tribe. Punjab, by contrast, is in northwestern India and is famous for dances like Bhangra and Giddha, not for Chang Lo. Therefore, the correct concept is to link Chang Lo with Nagaland.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify that Chang Lo is the name of a folk dance. Step 2: Recall that the Chang tribe is one of the many tribes inhabiting Nagaland. Step 3: Remember that Chang Lo dance is performed by members of the Chang tribe during festivals and traditional celebrations in Nagaland. Step 4: Compare the options: Nagaland, Assam, Punjab, Arunachal Pradesh. Step 5: Select Nagaland as the state most accurately connected with the Chang Lo folk dance.

Verification / Alternative Check:
To verify, you can check lists of dances by state. For Nagaland, common mentions include dances of Ao, Angami, and Chang tribes, with Chang Lo being specifically named. For Assam, typical dances include Bihu and Bagurumba, which are well known. Arunachal Pradesh is associated with folk dances of tribes like Adi and Apatani, but not Chang Lo. Punjab is known for energetic agricultural dances like Bhangra and Giddha. This comparison confirms that Chang Lo belongs to Nagaland.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Assam is wrong because its signature folk dance is Bihu, and while many ethnic groups live there, Chang Lo is not classically listed under Assamese folk dances. Punjab is wrong as it belongs to a different region of India entirely and is not associated with Naga tribal customs or dance forms. Arunachal Pradesh, though a northeastern state with many tribal dances, is not home to the Chang tribe associated with the Chang Lo dance, so it is not the correct answer.

Common Pitfalls:
A common pitfall is assuming that any northeastern sounding name must come from Assam or Arunachal Pradesh. Students sometimes pick Assam by default because it is the most widely known northeastern state. Others may confuse Chang Lo with similar sounding names or wrongly connect it with Buddhist or Himalayan dances. To avoid such mistakes, it is useful to memorise a few key dance forms from each northeastern state, with Chang Lo clearly placed under Nagaland and its tribal culture.

Final Answer:
Chang Lo is a traditional folk dance performed by tribes belonging to Nagaland.