Elements
-
Manage No, Sortation, Country, Writer ,Date, Copyright Manage No EE00002068 Country Bhutan ICH Domain Social practices, rituals, festive events Address Khoma village, Khoma gewog (blcok), LhuentseYear of Designation 2022
| Description | A story has it that Neypo (A Local Deity) was originated from Tshokar and Tshonag at Singye Dzong. In olden days khando Machig Labdon stole a son (Sasung) from Tibet and brought to Bhutan to make him the guardian deity of Bhutan. When they reached Tshonag at Singye Dzong, Khando told his son not to open his eyes but the son was eager to know why his mother did not allow him to open his eyes; hiding he opened his eyes and he saw a huge Snake (neypo) in front of him and he got shocked and died on the spot. Khando really got angry and she chased the Neypo from Tshonag; Neypo fled toward south and he reached at a place called Tsango, there he told villagers, “I will look after your wellbeing, if you offer me one people in a year. Villagers did not agree and they said “we will give one sheep every year instead of people; Neypo thought it won’t be sufficient to fill his stomach, so he disagreed and he fled towards south and reached Khoma, and the same thing he told to people of Khoma but there people offered one ox in a year, still then he was not satisfied, he ran down and reached Thingling where Neypo said “I will look after your village wellbeing, what will you give me in return?’’ People replied, we will give a hen every year; Neypo compared three offerings of the people and the best offering was made by Khoma people, so he agreed to settle in Khoma. This is how Neypo Invocation ritual came into existence. |
|---|---|
| Social and cultural significance | Neypo is a local deity or patron deity of the village. This deity takes care and looks after the welfare of the community and also safeguards the community lhakhang. Neypo is celebrated on the 15 and 16th day of the 6th month in Bhutanese calendar. As agreed with Neypo to offer him a bull every year, people of Khoma had to slaughter an ox for the festival. Later lam (Spiritual master) Chonying Rangdrol visited Khoma during one of the Neypo festivals, at which time he saw people slaughtered an ox and he felt mercy for that ox from that day lama told people not to kill animal instead of killing, make effigy/ransom of Ox with the wheat flour and offered to Neypo. It is said that in olden days people used to hear sound of a gun firing from the river before the time of celebration, that gave the message to the villager that they needed to hurry themselves to find an ox for Neypo; if community failed or get delayed in celebration, Neypo gets angry, which would lead to misfortune, epidemics and unfavourable circumstances that would affect people, crops and livestock. The community believes that worshiping the Neypo is a community responsibility, as it contributes to good health and prosperity and preserves community cohesion and identity. This day we can see an effigy of Neypo in Khoma Lhakhang. |
| Transmission method | It is said that in the past there a text for Neypo festival and elderly people referred that text to celebrate but now it’s not known whether that text still exists or not. Now history is known by only few elderly people and many young do not know detail history about the celebration. Children only know it is celebrated once a year but they don’t know the reason for celebration. Now with the change, college goers of the village do research on their home custom and tradition. Parents also share their children about the festival fearing that this tradition might fade in future. They share the importance and process of celebration generation over generation so that the festival remains as the preserved culture and tradition of Khoma village. |
| Community | Khoma village is located at about 11.6 km away from Lhuentse Dzongkhag Administration. The village is popularly known for producing Kishuthara (silk woven). The Gewog consists of Five Chiwogs namely Pangkar, Gangla-khema, Rolmatang-Tsango, Baptong- Draktang, Berpa-Khoma with 15 villages. Under Khoma Chiwog, there are four small scattered communities: the village of Lukchu, Namgong, Berpa and Khoma where Khoma is a clustered settlement. All of the villages are connected with rural electrification and road connectivity except Tsango Chiwog. Gewog covers an area about 71sq. km of Lhuentse Dzongkhag. Khoma is a village conferred with the blessing and prayers of Guru Rinpoche in the 8th century. Her Majesty the Gyaltshun of the First King Gongsa Ugyen Wangchuck and the Queen Mother of Second King Jigme Wangchuck, Azhi Tsoendrue Lhamo, were born in the house of Kholma Chukpo (rich) from Tertoen Guru Choewang Lineage. Khoma village is located strategically at the footstep of Singye Dzong, the sacred site blessed by Guru Rimpoche. Trashi Khewdon, considered as the emanation of Dorji Phamo, and daughter of king Hamrey was born in Khomo. Just above the Khoma village, there is a sacred site (Ney) called Sangwa- Dhadrug, literal meaning a place where Guru Rinpoche and Khando Yeshey Tshogyel meditated for six months secretly. During that time, Trashi Khewdon came out looking for her parent’s cattle and reached at a place called Themdrang not so far from meditation cave. One day when she was grazing the cattle found Khando Yeshi Tshogyel and Guru Rinpoche meditating during which time Trashi Khewdon offered milk to them. As a blessing of her milk offering to Guru Yabyum, Guru Rinpoche prophesied the village with abundant cattle in future. According to oral source, Guru Rinpoche said “Ngala Khowai Khomo Jung,” literal meaning I met the girl I needed.” The girl prophesied by Guru Rinpoche was needed as zungma (meditation consor) for spreading Dharma, this is how the village got its name Khomo. The village is known as Khoma today due to error in its pronunciation (Moenlam Chenmo Magazine). Data collected by: Ms. Sherab Zangmo, Teacher, Khoma Primary School, Lhuentse |
Keyword
Information source
National Library and Archives of Bhutan
https://www.library.gov.bt/archive/Materials related to
Photos
-
PI00006811
Neypo (Invocation of a Local Deity)
Neypo is celebrated on the 15 and 16th day of the 6th month in Bhutanese calendar. As agreed with Neypo to offer him a bull every year, people of Khoma had to slaughter an ox for the festival. Later lam (Spiritual master) Chonying Rangdrol visited Khoma during one of the Neypo festivals, at which time he saw people slaughtered an ox and he felt mercy for that ox from that day lama told people not to kill animal instead of killing, make effigy/ransom of Ox with the wheat flour and offered to Neypo.
Bhutan 2022 -
PI00006810
Neypo (Invocation of a Local Deity)
Neypo is celebrated on the 15 and 16th day of the 6th month in Bhutanese calendar. As agreed with Neypo to offer him a bull every year, people of Khoma had to slaughter an ox for the festival. Later lam (Spiritual master) Chonying Rangdrol visited Khoma during one of the Neypo festivals, at which time he saw people slaughtered an ox and he felt mercy for that ox from that day lama told people not to kill animal instead of killing, make effigy/ransom of Ox with the wheat flour and offered to Neypo.
Bhutan 2022