Tashi Dorji and Dorji Phuntsho discuss rituals involving animal sacrifice in Dukti village. In the past, it was customary for every household to raise a pig to be killed for ritual purposes. They say that now, over a decade later, they have stopped raising pigs for sacrifice.
Chorten Tshering and Koncho Tshering discuss their concerns about how the annual feast offerings will be carried out by the upcoming generation. They say that, with much hardship, their parents were able to start the community feast offering. In the past, local customary taxes were levied upon the households to conduct feasts, and used as seed money for the following years. Still today, these feasts are funded by this seed money.
Chorten Tshering and Koncho Tshering discuss their concerns about how the annual feast offerings will be carried out by the upcoming generation. Chorten Tshering says that, in his view, those children born in villages are more likely to continue than children born in towns. He thinks that children born in villages have a strong connection with the village's customs, are easier to mingle with, and will more easily adapt to difficult situations. He is worried that, in the future, future generations may not carry forward the local customs and traditions.
Tashi Dorji and Dorji Phuntsho discuss the different rituals performed in Dukti village related to Ladam involving restricting both locals and outsiders from visiting the mountain Tshong Tshongma between plantation and harvesting of crops. The entry to Tshong Tshongma closes on the 10th day of the third month of the Tibetan calendar. If someone does enter this area during the restricted months, it brings heavy rain, winds, and landslides to the area.
Neeraj and Rajdeep discuss their customs and traditions, debating whether some of them should be preserved or discarded. The recording was made at Umar Homestay in Rakchham village.
Balbir and Hardev discuss whether pesticides should be used in agriculture. Balbir suggested the topic, since both participants are involved in agricultural work. The recording was made at Balbir's home in Rakchham village.
Conversation between Lama Wangmo, Chador, and Tshangpa while uprooting paddy seedlings. They say these seeds must be planted for two to three months before being transplanted. Lama Wangmo says that, this year, she was a little late, hence these seedlings are not that good.
Santan and Savitri discuss what they were doing in the village and their plans for the week. The recording was made in Rakchham village, nearby the main temple.
Raj and Sahdev discuss whether the Chhitkul-Rakchham language should be taught at school. They are members of the current leadership of Rakchham village ('Panchayat'), elected in 2015. The recording was made after a a long meeting with members of the Panchayat at the Panchayat building ('Panchayat Bhawan') in Rakchham village.
Nand and Sunder discuss the overall economic situation in India and compare the current situation with that of 5-10 years earlier (2000s). The recording was made in Vinod Kumar Negi's garden in Rakchham village.
Bijender and Tikam discuss the practice of transhumance, which is when animal flocks are moved to higher pastures at the start of a new season. They are asked whether this practice is still necessary, in light of climate change. The recording was made at Tikam's house (and shop) in Rakchham village.
Conversation among the feast sponsors about the annual feast offering, recorded after the feast. They describe the practice of Zhakchang where people gather to finish the leftover wine and food from ritual ceremonies. The sponsors of the feast offering clean utensils and the Tshokhang (temple). Later they return all the utensils to their rightful owners if they have borrowed them.
Conversation among the feast sponsors about the annual feast offering, recorded after the feast. They describe the practice of Zhakchang where people gather to finish the leftover wine and food from ritual ceremonies. While having tea, they discuss the feature course of the feast. Mr. Cheten expresses his concern that future generations will not know how buckwheat is traditionally cultivated.
Sonam Wangchuk, Cheten Tshering, and Chador discuss various utensils used in the past when conducting a feast offering. They say their parents share the same ancestral route. Their parents used to borrow utensil feast offerings because they couldn't purchase them. Cheten Tshering shows the new box to keep cups, mugs, and plates when not in use.
Mr. Sonam Wangchuck, one of the cooks and sponsors of the annual feast, discusses the preparations for the feast with a group. Seven households from Bamchang and Rinzentangpang villages sponsor the feast every year. Here he is preparing butter tea for the monks involved in feast offerings.
Conversation at the annual feast offering, one of the main events for Dakpa communities in Thragom, Rinzentangpang, and Bamchuang. This year, it was held in Rinzentangpang. They use rudimentary stoves to prepare meals. Here they are discussing what meals to serve to the monks and the general public who will come for the blessing, such as dry fish and cheeses.
Conversations and beginning of the long life blessing by His Eminence Tsheten Zangpo at Rinzentangpang Tshokhang. People discuss the process of receiving a blessing and what they have to offer in return. Some people offer cash as gratitude for the blessing from His Eminence.
Tashi Dorji describes rituals performed in Dukti village including Nyungne (also called Dawa Dangpa or Dawa Chüngepa), Bazer Guru, Sumpa Soeldap, Torma Bum, and ’Nagapa Trenda. He explains that Sumpa Soeldap was initiated in consultation with Tshong Tshongma Lopen after famine and snakes came into Dukti village. He also describes the naked dance and the present ‘Nyungne Rinpoche’s past life.
Tashi Dorji decscribes cultural changes he has observed over time. For example, in his youth, he saw elders carrying rice, vegetable, maize, and wine in bamboo baskets; today, the bamboo is replaced by sacks, water bottles, and other utensils. He describes how dancers move from one house to another while a caretaker of Lakhang follows and requests donations from the villagers to have a feast for the dancers.
Tashi Dorji describes the naked dance ritual, its history, and related rituals. When there was no fund for consecration of Dukti Lakhang, Tshong Tshongma Lopen devised the culture of Naked dance. Historically, all the meals take part in this naked dance on the 9th day of the 5th month of the Tibetan calendar, to collect donations from the community. On the 10th day (Tshechi), the Tshechu takes place. Sangay Tshering, a researcher of Bhutan Oral Literature Project, was also present. Recorded in the evening after a rainy day.
Tashi Dorji describes the rituals related to Drukpa Tshezhi, the fourth month of the Buddhist calendar. This is considered the most auspicious month in the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan because it is when Buddha first turns the wheel of Dharma. To celebrate the occasion, the village comes together to recite the Buddhist scriptures and perform other rituals.
Recording of a monologue about Eid, a festival of Muslims. The speaker talks about how the community members prepare for the festival which is celebrated at the end of fasting during the month of Ramadan. Atta-Ur Rehman is a 37-year old male teacher.
The speaker narrates about the practice of pulling big logs to build a bridge. This practice was passed down from many generations and it is still in practice today. Because this practice has been done since since our ancestors' time, people selflessly take part in pulling big stones and logs. Every villager contributes in this community work.
This narration is about the practice of pulling logs for pillar and post. The speaker narrates about some accompanying activities like elders beating drum and singing while logs are being pulled in the olden days.
The speaker narrates about earlier times when their ancestors used to built grand house and conduct ceremonies and pull pillars, posts, and big logs to build bridges. Before they start pulling the bridge materials, their ancestors performed a ritual called kaphi-kapaibo. While performing the ritual, the log will be cleaned with different types of leaves from end to end. This ritual is done so that they would carry the bridge materials easily. It is done to ward off injury or to avoid any sickness so that the villagers would reach their destination without any hindrance.
This recording shows the change in construction methods and materials in Thragom village. This block was made by workers and local community members. In the past, house construction was a community affair where everyone lent their hand. In this case, the construction of the house is given to the lowest bidder.
Tashi Dorji discusses the history of the Dukti Pema Choling Lhakhang. A lhakhang is a religious structure used for housing sacred objects and performing rituals, often built in a geographically or spiritually significant location. The Dukti Pema Choling Lhakhang was built by Tshong Tshongma Lopen. It was historically known as Dukti Tashi Choling Lhakhang. The name was changed to avoid confusion with another Lhakhang named Tashi Choling (also called Namthî Lhakhang) in the same dzongkha (district).
Tashi Dorji discusses the history of the Dukti village and migration. Tashi Dorji speaks Tshangla and Dzongkha as well as Dakpa. His grandmother migrated from Kurtöp Tongzhang in the Lhuntse District. He says the majority of Dukti village residents (Duktipa) are historically Dakpa, and notes similarities in festivals, rituals, and farming practices with Dakpa communities in the Trashi Yangste District such as Yalang Gewog.
Tashi Dorji discusses the history of the Dukti Pema Choling Lhakhang. A lhakhang is a religious structure used for housing sacred objects and performing rituals, often built in a geographically or spiritually significant location. There is no record of when it was originally built; Tshong Tshongma Lopen renovated it when there were only 12 households in Dukti village. It took Lopen around three years to complete the renovation. Now, the Dukti Pema Choling Lhakkhang houses relics, including 16 sets of Buddhist chronicle given by the Throngpa community.
Mr. Koncho Tshering describes how his son helped build the Jarungkhashor stupa located outside Kathmandu, Nepal. Also known as Bouddha, Boudhanath, or Khasti Chaitya, it is one of the oldest stupas in the world. He says that construction and later renovations were funded by selling religious instruments and blessed earth collected from Nepal, India, and Bhutan in the Tawang district, Arunachal Pradesh, India.
Mr. Koncho Tshering discusses Tshokhang's history and construction. He says the land for Tshokhang was chosen by Mr. Zhokpo, and Mr. Nagsang and Tandin were the carpenters involved in the construction. He says it was originally much smaller than it is today. After the construction of Tshokhang, every 10th day of the lunar calendar a Bazer Guru and Chenrezig mantra is recited through the sponsorship of villagers.
Tshong Tshongma is a sacred mountain and a local deity in Eastern Bhutan. Over 4000 meters in elevation, it is accessible only four months per year due to local customs. Mr. Lama Tshering describes how Tshong Tshongma got its current palace after being deceived by Samye Paygi Gyelpo when Guru Rinpoche called all the deities to the allocated respective palace.
Tshong Tshongma is a sacred mountain and a local deity in Eastern Bhutan. Over 4000 meters in elevation, it is accessible only four months per year due to local customs. Mr. Lama Tshering describes how Tshong Tshongma got its current palace after Tshong Tshongma was deceived by Samye Paygi Gyelpo when Guru Rinpoche called all the deities to the allocated respective palace.
Performance of the long-life blessing by His Eminence Tsheten Zangpo, a revered religious master in the Trashiyangtse district of Bhutan. The event took place in Rinzentangpang Tshokhang after a three day long feast offered by the community in the name of Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha for the well-being of the community and all the sentient beings in all endeavors. It is believed that receiving this blessing enhances one's life force and clears all unforeseen obstacles.
His Eminence Tsheten Zangpo has been the head of the annual feast in Rinzentangpang for over 25 years. In this recording, a lay monk distributes the Tshok (feast offering), sanctified through the prayers. Later, the remaining Tshok is distributed to the public.
Mr. Sonam Wangchuk performs Ngô rituals in the name of all the sponsors for the feast offering. Ngô is the dedication of merits in the name of sponsors. At the end of every ritual ceremony, the sponsors of the ceremony dedicate merits to all the sentient beings and the success of one's life in any future endeavor. He is praying on behalf of his fellow sponsors in front of His Eminence Tsheten Zangpo.
Gurma, the song of feasts, is sung by monks, nuns, and lay practitioners in veneration of their masters. This song was composed by His Holiness Dudjom Jigdral Yeshe Dorje, a 20th-century Buddhist master born in Pemako in the frontier region of Tibet. The song enchanted the people's request towards the tutelage deities and the local duties for the construction of a monastery. It includes a student's heartfelt request to the master to forever bestow his blessing upon them. The song is significant in the Dakpa community of Thragom village because many lay practitioners, including women, are into the Tröma (wrathful practice) of Mache Trhoma Namo (Black Wrathful Mother).
Group performance of Bon rituals to appease Tshong Tshongma, the most sacred mountain in Eastern Bhutan, which is accessible only for four months per year due to local customs and myths. At over 4000m, Tshong Tshongma is a very important deity, especially to the people in its vicinity. In this recording, a group of around 30 visitors, including children, performs rituals to appease Tshong Tshongma including serving meals, offering locally-fermented wine, bowing, and praying for the well-being of all sentient beings.
Mr. Koncho Tshering discusses his family's migration to Bhutan. His parents and his mother's two relatives migrated to Bhutan from the Tawang district in Arunachal Pradesh, India. He says the main reason for this was the heavy tax in Tawang at the time. He says their parents have to take plank towards Tshona (Tibet) every year, and also pay taxes to Tawang Monastery. After migrating to Bhutan, they stayed in Thragom village.
Tashi Dorji introduces himself and describes a childhood accident where he lost his mother, brother, and family home to a major fire. Somehow, Tashi survived. After this, he became known as 'Kon Tshering' in the village because 'Kon' means a rare thing or substance.
Phalthing Haokip tells the story of a beautiful lady called Lenchonghoi who lived with her seven brothers. In the story, a wicked man called Khalbompu tries to take away Lenchonghoi to be his wife. She is from Manipur (currently living in Lambung village), and speaks Manipuri in addition to Thadou. She is around 83 years old at the time of recording.
Phalting Haokip tells a traditional narrative about Mainouloute. In this story, a family gets fruits from their garden and their family members transform into birds. She is a female Thadou speaker from Manipur (currently living in Lambung village), around 83 years old at the time of recording.
Prakash Rabha tells a traditional narrative about a widow's son who catches a sparrow in the field while cultivating jhum. He releases the sparrow because she promised to offer her to him her daughter.
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