| Social and cultural significance |
Marriage in Lhotshampa community, like other cultures, has its own purpose. Similar to marriages throughout the world, it serves in the selection of a life-long partner. In addition, it also upholds traditions besides strengthening the bond between the families of the bride and the groom.
There are various significance of marriage permitted by the birth horoscope of the man and the woman, such as constant love and affection between husband and wife. Moreover, this form of marriage ensures a less chance of divorce and a sound physical and mental health of children. In Lhotshampa custom, it is deemed necessary to have the community know about the marriage between man and woman; hence, Bibaha helps in declaring them as a married couple in the community.
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| Transmission method |
The knowledge related to this element is transmitted through different means out of which prevailing marriage practices led by elders, oral transmission and written scripts are the prominent ones.
In Bhutan, Marriages in Lhotshampa communities is usually done in the winter season. It takes place for three days.
Day one
•On day one, the families, friends and relatives of the bride and groom prepare for marriage such as the pitching a tent and assembling store essentials.
•The bride’s family calls the Bahun: priest, and the Darjees: one of the castes of the Lhotshampa community who are associated with music and musical instruments, at the bride’s home for performing the marriage ritual.
•Following that, the groom and his family, along with neighbors, relatives and a music band, leave for the bride's house. During the olden days, the groom used to ride on a horse’s back, however people use vehicles or go by walk depending on the distance between the bride and groom’s place.
•This group of people, along with the groom and a music band, is called ‘Janti’ and the group is led by a group of women carrying foods and gifts (called 'saipata') for the bride's family.
•Behind them are a groom and a group of people dancing. The wedding ceremony is performed at the bride's house.
•Upon the arrival of Janti at the bride's house, the bride greets and welcomes the groom with a garland around his neck and while doing that, people throw rice grains and flowers at them. However it is believed that a groom should not come in direct contact with the flowers and the grains, so either an umbrella or a cloth piece is used to cover him.
•After that, they exchange engagement rings.
• The Saipata is then handed to the bride's family and Janti is welcomed with the feast called 'Janti Bhoj' (marriage party).
•The day ends with a celebration where both the families dance to music, especially Pancha Baja: a traditional music band that plays traditional musical instruments called 'Panche Baja. They also perform Juwari: a debate in the form of music.
Day Two
•On the second day, both the bride and the groom dress in marriage attire. The bride wears a saree; most of the brides prefer a red saree, while a few also chooses other bright colors like pink and orange.
•The groom’s attire, unlike the bride's, is not fixed. They sometimes wear a coat suit or normal pants and shirts; with a scarf on their neck.
•The bride and the groom are then taken to 'Jaggey' or 'Mandap' (the place to perform the wedding ritual). A Mandap is usually set up in the courtyard with a fire at the center.
•They sit side by side, near the fire, while the pundit (priest) performs the marriage ceremony by chanting the 'mantras' through the holy book.
•During the ritual, the bride and the groom walk around the sacred fire seven times, with the knot tied between the couples by the edge of Saree and Scarf, indicating the seven lives of togetherness. The first four-round is done with the groom at the front and the remaining three rounds with the bride at the front.
• The marriage ritual is completed when the groom puts 'Sindoor' (red vermilion powder) on the bride's head and 'Potey' or 'Tilari' (a holy necklace) around her neck.
• After this, the bride's father washes the feet of the wedded couple and all the relatives and family members will bless them with 'Tika' (on the forehead) and gifts.
•Then, everyone goes for a marriage feast called Bihey Bojh (lunch). The bridegroom eats first and is followed by others.
•The married couple asks for bidha (leave) and along with Janti, depart from the bride's house, dancing and celebrating with Pancha Baja. In the olden days, the bride was taken in doli; a wooden carriage that needed to be carried by four people. However, today they either go by vehicle or walk as mentioned.
•Upon arrival at the groom’s house, the couple is welcomed by the groom’s family with some ceremonies.
•At the entrance of the groom’s house will be kept an urn filled with rice grain and a line of seven small lit candles, Diya. The candles will be placed at the center of seven patches of rice grains on the floor.
•The bride then enters the door and gently pushes the urn with her right foot and walks on the candles.
•At last, they rest and the ceremony comes to an end.
Day Three
•On the third day, lots of entertainment activities and celebrations are carried out at the groom's house called "Bhaubhatiyar". It's the celebration at the groom's house which includes singing and dancing. The bride has to do all the chores on the third day. The marriage ritual is thus, the most important as well as an entertaining ritual since whole family members and relatives are involved.
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| Community |
The information is based on a village called Chuzomsa, Patshaling located in Tsirang district. The village has around 277 households with people living in a widely extended and dispersed settlement. Chuzomsa is a narrow valley and it ranges about twelve km away from District town. Chu in the Bhutanese language refers to water and zomsa stands for the meeting point. The name of the village was titled Chuzomsa as it is said that multiple tributaries of the rivers flowed down along the valley and met at the present chosen village, during olden times. Thus, it's called Chuzomsa (water meeting place). The name of a larger section of the village is called Patshaling. Patsha in the Bhutanese language stands for Cane and ling stands for the valley. Patshaling as the name suggests has many Cane growing in the valley.
Data collected by: Ms. Namgay Dem, Teacher, Mendrelgang Center School, Tsirang |
