dance is important to adivasi culture in general and for the ho, it is more than simply a means of entertainment. their songs are generally accompanied by dances which change with the seasons. songs and distinctively choreographed dance are integral parts of ho culture and art, as well as important parts of their traditional festivals, especially mage parab. most villages have a dedicated dancing ground, called akhra, usually consisting of a cleared space of hard ground under a spreading tree. dances are organised on a staggered basis in the villages so that other villagers can participate. traditional ho music incorporates native instruments including a "dama" (drum), "dholak", "dumeng" (mandar), and the "rutu" (flute).