| Description |
Jhug dho-ma is a traditional song sung at Riserboo-Kheshing Chiwog, Kheshing village under Lumang Gewog (block), Wamrong Trashigang. Lopen (Spiritual master) Dorji Wangdi and lopen Dorji Namgay first composed the song in around 1964. The song was composed during the time when people had to contribute labour contribution while constructing road from Samdrupjongkhar to Trashigang Dzongkhag (district). Because of the lack of paved roads, travel in Bhutan was by foot or on mule- or horseback until 1961; the 205-kilometre trip from the Indian border to Thimphu took six days. Road construction began in earnest during the First Development Plan (1961–66). The first 175-kilometre-long paved road was completed in 1962. About 30,000 Indian and Nepalese labourers were imported to build the road with Indian aid when India was bolstering its defense against a potential Chinese invasion. Bhutan also provided labour for the construction work. Another road was built to connect Trashigang with Samdrupjongkhar.
About 1,500 kilometers of roads were built by the mid-1970s, largely with manual labour. Every household must compulsorily contribute labour for two weeks. The lyric of the song encompasses the journey from Samdrupjongkhar until Wamrong. It conveys us the settings of different villages on the way while constructing the road.
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| Social and cultural significance |
This song reminded people about the time when Bhutan was moving towards the modernization. It also reminds about the time when Bhutanese people have to contribute labours in kind and work force and the time when modern development Bhutan was not yet started.
It signifies the contribution of individuals when Bhutan was embracing the modern facilities. They feel proud to have been a part in making the progress of the country. They can also reflect on the changes Bhutan brought under the dynamic leadership of Kings. They compare then and now and say that Bhutan has really changed over time.
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| Transmission method |
Two two Lopens composed and wrote the songs. The song became popular in their time. It was widely sung in the community and transmitted through oral practice because most of the workers didn’t know how to read or write. |
| Community |
During early sixties when Bhutan was paving the road over modernization following the five year plan, the first five year plan has been devoted to the construction of paved road within the country. However Bhutan lacked machineries, all the construction works has to be carried over manually.
During that time Bhutanese must contribute labour force for two weeks. Memey Pema had to go for construction work for two weeks. During that time, educated were kept as supervisors. There were two supervisors, Lopen Dorji Wangdi and Lopen Dorji Namgay supervising the construction works.
Lopen Dorji Wangdi and Lopen Dorji Namgay composed the song narrating the journey from Samdrupjongkhar to Wamrong. They composed song based on the settings of villages on the way. They composed the song and taught labourers. When Memey Pema reached his village, Kheshing after two weeks, he then taught the song to local folks. Most of his working mates passed away. Therefore, he is the main bearer of the song in his village. Currently, although he is old, he has a toned voice and he dances the song during many events.
Data collected by: Mr. Druptho Gyeltshen, Teacher, Gongthung Middle Secondary School, Trashigang
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