Elements
-
Manage No, Sortation, Country, Writer ,Date, Copyright Manage No EE00002074 Country Bhutan ICH Domain Social practices, rituals, festive events Address Haa District lies along the western boarder of Bhutan. To the northwest it is bounded by Tibet (China), to the south by the Samtse District, and to the southeast by Chukha District, covering an area of roughly 1706 sq. km, Haa is one of the smallest Districts in the country. This tiny region is one of the most beautiful and isolated areas in the kingdom, adorned with pristine alpine forest and tranquil mountain peak. Haa is divided into six Gewogs namely Bji, Gakiling, Katsho, Samar, Sangbaykha and Uesu. Yangthang village falls under Bji Gewog where Bonko festival is celebrated.Year of Designation 2022
| Description | Bonkor (miss-pronounced as Bonko) is the festival celebrated in virtue of an offering to local deity called Ap Chundu in Yangthang Village under Bji Gewog in Haa with the unique dress, lyrics, and steps. Bonkor is derived from the word Bonchoe – Bon religion. It is being performed once every three years. Usually it is celebrated on the 17th or 18th day of the 9th month of the Bhutanese calendar depending on the auspiciousness of the day. The next celebration would be in the year 2024. Bonko is a kind of festival and is performed by this particular village to appease the local deities for the wellbeing of the community. Bji Gewog has many villages but no other village has Bonkor festival. Other places in Haa have their own Bonkor festival. Ap Chundu is the main local deity of Haaps (The people of Haa). It is said that this festival is being practiced and performed since Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel’s time. However, no one could tell the exact date and the year of its beginning. The festival has the trend and is only being performed by the locals whose cast is considered to be rich and renowned. The people who get married and are settled here in the village are not entertained to participate or perform the festival taking the risk of bad happenings. |
|---|---|
| Social and cultural significance | Yangthang Bonkor is considered to be the most important festival for the village as it is believed to have been the protecting their village and the people for long since their great grandparents’ time. They even perform the festival by just offering the milk in a simple scale. The festival is celebrated or performed once every three years in a grand manner. People from other gewogs and even beyond Haa come and witness this festival since it is considered unique and sacred. |
| Transmission method | The men of Yangthang village are only people to lead the festival. Men are compulsory to take part in the event. The practice of this trend is being passed down to their sons who can lead and celebrate the festival in the future. Any sons born in the village through marriage with other villages are not allowed to attend or perform the Bonkor festival. There is a unique tradition stating that when any baby boy is born in their village to parents both belonging to Yangthang village, they must show and celebrate (Baby showering) their baby to the village community stating that he is an eligible boy to attend or celebrate the festival. If this condition is not met, meaning that if the baby is not borne out of the parents belonging to Yangthang village then he is not eligible take part in the festival and continue this tradition. |
| Community | Yangthang Bonkor is only celebrated and performed by people of Yangthang village. Other gewogs have their own Bonkor festival in the Dzongkhag. No other community outside of Yangthang are allowed to perform this particular ritual festival and the ones who perform this festival are known as Pazaaps. Pazaaps are well dressed and they chant Zhey, devotional song, during the festival. Only Yangthang community takes part as Pazaaps who can preside over the ceremonial offerings to be made to Ap Chundu. Data collected by: Ms. Singye Choden, Teacher, Damthang Lower Secondary School, Pemagatshel |