Jhijhiya

Jhijhiya is a traditional folk dance of the Mithila region in India and Nepal. It is primarily performed by the Musahar community in the region and is dedicated to Goddess Durga Bhairavi. It is performed during the Dusshera festival, in the Hindu month of Ashwin (September/October). The dance is performed to offer devotion towards goddess Durga—the goddess of victory as well as to protect one's family, children and society from witches and dark magic.

It is performed for ten consecutive evenings, from the day of Ghatasthapana to Bijaya Dashami, by women and girls, in a group of five to fifteen, by placing earthen pitchers on their head and dancing in a rotating manner. Inside the pitcher a fire lamp is placed and multiple holes are made in the pitcher. It is believed that if a witch is successful in counting the holes in the pitcher, the dancer dies immediately.