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Consent and speaker background: Jeremy Aimol
Consent and speaker background of Jeremy Aimol including education, languages spoken, and places lived. Recorded in Balisor, Silchar, Assam, India.
Consent and speaker background: Linda Saihriem
Consent and speaker background of Linda Saihriem including education, languages spoken, and places lived. Recorded in Old Bagbahar.
Conversation about animal sacrifice rituals
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. Time-aligned translation into English.
Conversation about animal sacrifice rituals
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.
Conversation about animal sacrifice rituals
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. Time-aligned translation into English.
Conversation about animal sacrifice rituals
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.
Conversation about annual feast offerings, part 1
Conversation about the annual feast offering, started around 50 years ago. They discuss how the community shares the work responsibly, applies tax, lends money, calculates the interest, and returns utensils after the feast offering is completed. They keep track of the funds generated through the lending of money. They discuss how much cash was used for the current feast offering, and what amount was paid as remuneration to each monk.
Conversation about annual feast offerings, part 2
Conversation about the annual feast offering, started around 50 years ago. They discuss how the community shares the duties of organizing, preparing, and funding the annual feast. They describe how the practice of Zhakchang, where people gather to finish the leftover wine from ritual ceremonies, was a common feature of any ritual. Zhakchang also gives an opportunity to those households who couldn’t come to the ritual. It is an avenue where a missed opportunity for one neighbor to take part in a neighbor's ritual ceremonies. In this recording, each sponsor discusses who is going to be the leader in the next feast offering, and how cash and extra rations should be used.
Conversation about continuing traditional festivals, part 1
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.
Conversation about continuing traditional festivals, part 2
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.
Conversation about documenting Rabha
Prakash Rabha describes ongoing efforts to document the Rabha language.
Conversation about Dukti Lhakhang
Dorji and Tashi Dorji, residents of Dukti village, discuss the history of the Dukti Lhakhang. A lhakhang is a religious structure used for housing sacred objects and performing rituals, often built in a geographically or spiritually significant location. This site was originally known as Dukti Tsebrang because it was too small to be called a lhakhang. They explain that the statue of Buddha, mural painting on the wall, and giant pillars were all added during the renovation. The head carpenter was Tshong Tshongma Lopen; he was guided by another carpenter Namgay Tshering. At that time, there were only twelve households in Dukti village. They collectively sponsored the construction.
Conversation about Jomo rituals
Dorji and Tashi Dorji, residents of Dukti village, discuss rituals related to the Jomo. They explain that, before the Jomo enters into a trance, she wears a five crown cap and has fruits and other foods as her feast offering. Then, the Jomo starts her ritual. It is believed that, wherever the Jomo takes her next birth, she will be born into a rich family.
Conversation about Ladam rituals in Dukti village
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. Time-aligned translation into English.
Conversation about Ladam rituals in Dukti village
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. Time-aligned translation into English.
Conversation about Ladam rituals in Dukti village
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.
Conversation about Ladam rituals in Dukti village
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.
Conversation about planting rice paddies
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.
Conversation about Serwa Dzong, part 1
Dorji and Tashi Dorji, residents of Dukti village, discuss Serwa Dzong, an abandoned fortress outside Dukti village (about two hours walking). They describe how Serwa Dzong looked before it was covered by trees, and the security features: one before entering, and another after reaching the courtyard. There were two water resources next to the Dzong which are no longer visible today. They also discuss a fight between Serwa Dzong and Tshong Tshongma.
Conversation about Serwa Dzong, part 2
Dorji and Tashi Dorji, residents of Dukti village, discuss Serwa Dzong, an abandoned fortress outside Dukti village (about two hours walking). They explain that no one is sure when it was originally built, and now only ruins remain to tell its existence. They say it was used as a checkpoint in ancient times to collect taxes from merchants passing through Bhutan into the Tawang district of Arunachal Pradesh, India. Now, there is a makeshift police checkpoint next to the ruins, erected during the COVID-19 pandemic to keep watch on trespassers.
Conversation about the naked dance festival
Dorji and Tashi Dorji, residents of Dukti village, discuss the naked dance festival of Dukti village. They explain that little is known about this festival, including when it began. In the past, leaders like Tshong Tshongma Lopen and local police have tried to stop it due to the nudity. However, after the attempts to stop the festival, snakes would spring out in large numbers across the village and their crops were affected. Now, it takes place on the 10th day of the fifth month in the Bhutanese calendar.
Conversation about Zhakchang and annual feast offerings, part 1
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 about Zhakchang and annual feast offerings, part 2
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.
Conversation at the annual feast in Rinzentangpang
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.
Conversation at the annual feast in Rinzentangpang
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 in Rinzentangpang
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 blessings at the annual feast in Rinzentangpang
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.
Conversations and Medical News Frames on Twitter: Infodemiological Study on COVID-19 in South Korea
This article investigates information transmission networks and news-sharing behaviors regarding COVID-19 on Twitter in Korea. The real time aggregation of social media data can serve as a starting point for designing strategic messages for health campaigns and establishing an effective communication system during this outbreak.
Description of annual rituals in Dukti village, part 1
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.
Description of annual rituals in Dukti village, part 2
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.
Description of annual rituals in Dukti village, part 3
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.
Description of appeasement rituals in Dukti village
Tashi Dorji describes how residents of Dukti village appease the local deities for taking care of their crops when the mountain roads are closed for four months every year. During this time, they offer feasts and fermented wine to the local deities once a month. He explans that the wine for the appeasement and Tshok for the deity is collected as a community tax. Recorded at Dukti Gup Sonam's house in Dukti village.
Description of Baikho festival and rituals
Biswanath Rabha Tara describes the origin, significance, and rituals of the Baikho festival. This festival celebrates the agricultural practices of the Rabha community. Rituals offer prayers to the goddess Baikho for growth and an abundant harvest.
Description of Drukpa Tshezhi celebrations and rituals
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.
Description of Eid celebrations
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.
Description of Eid celebrations
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.
Description of Nak Chö rituals
The speaker describes the Nak Chö ritual practiced by their ancestors on the maternal side. They raise a pig for a year in the name of their parental deity. When the time for the ritual comes, they carry the pig to Kudung village in Tawang district, Arunachal Pradesh, India and sacrifice it. They stopped practicing the pig sacrifice ritual when their grandmother pass away.
Description of pulling bridge materials
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.
Description of pulling pillars and posts
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.
Description of the sanctification ritual
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.
Description of traditional and modern house construction
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.
Description of Tshong Tshongma pilgrimages, part 1
Tashi Dorji describes a pilgrimage to Tshong Tshongma and the surrounding area. 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. He states that Tshong Tshongma is king amongst the worldly deities, wrathful in nature. He describes landmarks seen on the way to Tshong Tshongma, including a rock symbolizing the riding horse of Tshong Tshongma Lopen, Buddhist scriptures, a stupa, a treasured hole, a golden table, a door to the sky, a monastery of monks, and a meditation place of Guru Rinpoche. Travelers offer libations twice per day to have nice weather during pilgrimages.
Description of Tshong Tshongma pilgrimages, part 2
Tashi Dorji describes a pilgrimage to Tshong Tshongma and the surrounding area. He discusses a biography of Tshong Tshongma Ney (the religious site) which was taken by the people of Bonglang village (Tawang District, Arunachal Pradesh, India) for reception purposes but never returned. It says there is a garden of Tshong Tshongma at the base of Dukti village with fruits, betel leaves, betel nuts, and other plants which only those who are about to die can reach. He explains that the deity behind the Jomo is Tshong Tshongma. If someone has lost one’s life force, it can be retrieved from the devil with the help of Jomo.
Elicitation of words comprised of syllables with equal weight (1)
Recording of an elicitation of words comprised of syllables with equal weight. The purpose is to determine the default primary stress position in Mankiyali when syllable weight is not a factor. The contributors are Aurangzeb (a 34-year old male teacher) and Gohar-Ur Rehman (a 38-year old male shop owner).
Elicitation of words comprised of syllables with equal weight (2)
Recording of an elicitation of words comprised of syllables with equal weight. The purpose is to determine the default primary stress position in Mankiyali when syllable weight is not a factor. The contributor is Atta-Ur Rehman. a 37-year old male teacher.
Elicitation of words for professions
Recording of an elicitation of a word list for names of different professions in Mankiyali. English equivalents are used as prompts. Gohar Rehman is a male shop keeper who is 38 years old at the time of recording.
Elicitation of words with closed short syllables
Recording of an elicitation of words with closed short syllables (CVC) in different positions. The purpose is to determine the relative weight of closed short syllables in comparison to open short vowel syllables (CV) for primary word stress placement. Ali Khan is a 31-year old male teacher.
Elicitation on person marking
Elicitation on person marking. Recorded in Balisor, Silchar, Assam, India.
Elicitation on verb stem alternation
Elicitation on verb stem alternation. Recorded in Old Bagbahar.
Elicitation on verb stem alternation
Elicitation on verb stem alternation. Recorded in Balisor, Silchar, Assam, India.
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