| Description |
Bhutan, embodied with rich and unique culture heritage has largely remained intact for centuries because of its unique way of preserving its culture and tradition over the generation and of course being isolated from the rest of the world. Rukubji, a geopolitically located snake head village under Sephu Gewog (block) in the premises of Wangduephodrang Dzongkhag (district) celebrates Lochu. Lochu is the native sacred festival were offering for the wellbeing of locality led by Phajo (local shaman) with 25 Pazab (soldiers or guard) particularly performed.
Lochu is said to be sacred performance initiated in around mid of 10th and 11th century after Zhabdrung Tshenden Dhelwa subdued the demonic forces and made into local deity (Phola) of the place. The villagers do a grand offering to the local deity to bring peace and happiness. In the past a sheep is slaughtered and made offering to the local deity. In recent times, the bonisim culture was being stopped and alternative offerings like forelegs/hindleg and ……. of a cow are done to appease the protector. Zhabdrung Tsenden Dhelwa was born in Tibet. It was around in mid of 10th and 11th century where Zhabdrung Tsenden Dhelwa visited the place. The place was not blessed by any other Lamas and it is said that first lama to visit in the region was Zhabdrung Tsenden Dhelwa where he subdued many demons and sanctified the place.
Lochu was conducted consecutively every 3 years. It is believed that, failing to perform the offerings would bring bad luck, natural calamities such as flood (happened some 7-8 years ago) and the harvest of any crop (potato being the main cash crop of the locality) would be befallen.
It is also believed to be said that the local deity, in order to bless the community with peace and happiness, an old man is always assigned to offer prayers to local deity (Phola) to bring peace and prosperity in the community. It so happened that one day the old man knew that due to his old age, worried that he wouldn’t be able to render his service in offering to Phola thereafter. Legends are being past that the local deity appeared before him and enlightened him with wisdoms. The old man, upon this wisdom advised his communities to conduct the Lochu on 5th or 6th day of every twelfth lunar month of the third year. Thereon, the festival is being celebrated in winters of every third year. Far and near community witnesses this festival and the locality celebrates grandeur day with feast and ceremony.
It is said that in the olden days lochu is annually conducted on the 5th or 6th day of the twelfth lunar month. However, as time passes the communities could not conducted annually and made to conduct in every 3 years. Alternatively, if the locality couldn’t celebrate this occasion, the community comes together annually and recites Kangyuar (translated words of buddha) to bring good luck in community. As the time passes by, the community face problems like, finding Phajo (Shaman) since it is said that the way of offering is different. A man from every household was mandatory in the past for Pazab. As the time passes, 25 Pazab are required for the day which are mostly performed voluntarily. The community fears that the next celebration wouldn’t happen as there is no Phajo for the day. The previous one is unable to perform due to his illness.
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| Social and cultural significance |
Lochu is mainly conducted to pay gratitude and homage to their local deity (Phola) for his contribution to the welfare of communities. Though it was folk performance, it helps communities to get much connected since everyone should present during Lochu and even it gives clear vision on how Lochu is being conducted which makes individuals to reflect on how their ancestors plays the role. Lochu is considered as sacred performance to pay their gratitude to their patron deity. During the lochu it is believed that various local deities gathered and observe their offerings and if they were satisfied with their offerings they leave with blessing for whole community. If the communities could not perform Lochu it is said that to lead misfortune and unfavorable circumstances which would affect their crops and livestock.
Not only that it is said that it is very important to conduct lochu as it has lot of benefits to the community. In case it is not performed, it brings quite a number of misfortunes such as heavy rainfall, floods windstorm damaging their crops. If lochu is done on time, it appeases the local deity as a result of which he protects the villagers from any kind of calamities. It is said that a long time ago, the local deity stopped a flood from damaging their cash crops and also no chortens (Stupas) were destroyed by the seemingly worse flood. Therefore, taking into consideration that the local deity provides to the local inhabitants, it is imperative to conduct Lochu on the said date and time.
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| Transmission method |
It is said that there was no linage to uphold or even no written records on how Lochu has to be conducted. Lochu was conducted every 3 years lead by Chiwog Tshogpa on consultation of the elderly people of the chiwog. However, Gewog Gup is sharing his thoughts on Lochu that it is a unique traditional culture which is very important to be marked. In addition to this even he mentioned that very soon he will be learning perform as Phajo as a direct descendent. He fears that with coming generation, the culture may vanish due to lack of interest by the young generation and emerging of western culture and revolutions.
The Day of Lochu
This finest day is the much-anticipated event of the year. The 25 Pazabs accompanied by 7 dancers would gather inside the alter of Rukubji Lhakhang at the early call of roaster (around 4 AM). At around 2 am the ritual starts by the monks and Lam in temple. No sooner the Pazabs arrives in the temple than the Lam bless all the Pazabs and the lady dancers for the day with Marchang. The leader for the Pazab is appointed by the Lam for the day. The leader has to be ready with a needle and a thread for his job is to take care of the Dhar (Pazabs’) and smooth running of Pazabs performance for which he will be awarded a Palang (Traditional Thermos for alcohol/beverage) the next day for carrying out his duty.
On that day a very strict rules are enforced. The Pazabs are prohibited to talk to woman. The women are also being prohibited for the same. But the women play a vital role in the day. They fill the air with melodious songs composed by the women a very long ago. After the ritual and blessing the Pazabs and the dancers will be gathered in the heart of the village for chham (dance). Another Marchang praising the goddess is being offered. People around the community from far and near enjoys the dance by the Phajo and Pazabs. The chill weathers of winter don’t bother anyone. The ceremony of purification is being performed by the Phajo and Pazabs. By afternoon they will drive the evil spirits till the end of the village. Half of the Pazab returns to the ground and rest would be going to Zangdopelri Lhakhang (currently known as TsengiPokto) to offers prayers. Another Marchang (Wine Libation) is being offered.
The dancers and the other Pazabs carry on with the dance of being able to drive the evil spirits. The celebration goes till into the night and feast of every variety is being served and the day ends with satisfactions and ecstatically.
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| Community |
It is said that Rukubji is an ancient village where it is believed that community members under Rukubji chiwog already existed before the arrival of Zhabdrung Tshenden Dhelwa. During Lochu, whole community has overall responsibility for the conducting Lochu. Chiwog Tshogpa (Community Representative) plays vital role in leading the Lochu, where community members seek help and advice from older one to function the offering smoothly. Tshogpa takes charge of coordinating Pazab (Male participants), calling and receiving Phajo (shaman) and female folk dancers. Every house hold contributes grain, butter, cheese and other goods.
Currently, whole communities actively participated in functioning Lochu. It is said that, Nu.600 is being collected during Lochu from each household, where those who volunteered as Pazab need not have to contribute for the same. The amount is being used for tax to Pazabs and for the feast of the day which includes the government officials. In the past people contributes the dairy products such as butter and cheese.
The Lochu was inherited after subduing the local demonic forces and transforming into local deity. It is offering to their local deity (Phola) to bring peace and prosperity in the locality where whole community comes together as one in conducting Lochu.
Data collected by: Mr. Jigem Sherab, Teacher, Rukubji Primary School, Wangduephodrang
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