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cows
ICH Elements 20
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Games with ‘alchiks’ (dices): ‘Chuko atmay’, ‘Ordo’, ‘Kan talamay, Upai’
‘Chuko atmay’ is played with ‘alchiks’ (dices). Participants draw a circle with a diameter of 3-5 meters. Alchiks are placed in the middle of the circle. Order of the game is determined by throwing of ‘saka’. Two shot lines are drawn one meter away from the circle from two sides. If an alchik is beaten out of the line after the first successful shot, other shots are carried out from the circle’s line. In case of unsuccessful shot, other player takes a turn. The player, which shots out the largest number of alchiks, wins. ‘Ordo’ is one of the most spread games of the Kyrgyz. The word ‘ordo’ itself means ‘khan’s bid’. The game reproduces a battle for the capture of bid and represents some kind of a military map. A circle drawn on the ground means the enemy territory, and opponents frame a plan of the battle. Skills of leading the right interior policy are in the basis of this game as well. Ordo is played by two teams (6-10 people at each team). Playing order of the game goes in the round or by using elimination principle. Duration of the game is about two hours. The essence of the game is to strike the khan’s ordo placed in the center of a circle (16 meters in diameter) with the abalak (bat), as well as to push khan himself and voivodes (generals) out of the circle. The team, which strikes the largest number of voivodes out of the circle, wins. ‘Kan talamay, Upai’ is a traditional game with dices of ovine knee joints ‘chuko’. Players are divided into two teams consisting of 2, 4 or more. The number of dices needed for the game vary from 13-37 or more. The purpose of the game is to collect as much upais as possible. The largest dice is determined as ‘khan’ and dyed into a vivid color. Starting player takes all dices in his joint palms, placing khan in the center, and scatters them all onto the carpet. The first player tries to strike the khan. If the target is hit, the player continues to play, and in case of a failure – the next player enters into the game. Shots are done by the dices with equal position. There are also special regulations
Kyrgyzstan -
Neypo: Seasonal Offering to the Local Deity
The Neypo ritual is a seasonal offering performed across Bhutan to appease local deities, Ney village in Lhuentse to the northeast is one of many villages to perform this ritual. Neypo literally means "Zhidag", a category of deity who protects the area under their control or certain parts of the valley. The identity of the protector figure varies from region to region, as does the ritual. In Ney village, the Neypo ritual is performed every year on the 15th day of the third lunar month of the Bhutanese calendar. The ritual is performed in their Lhakhang, temple, in order to appease the local deity Zhidag Drakpa Gyalpo with offerings. In return, the community asks for his protection of their farms from wild animals. The Zhidag is believed to dwell below the village in a dense forest on the left side of Kurichu. Zhidag Drakpa Gyalpo has a grim appearance with a black face, dark clothes, and a reindeer mount with ten horns. He has one face and two hands; in his right hand he holds a flaming sword and in his left hand he holds a robe or Zhagpa sling. Within a single second he could cover the distance between any two places. Eighth century tantric master Guru Rinpoche (Skt. Padmasambhava) bound Drakpa Gyalpo by oath and made him the protector of the East Gate of the hidden land Baeyul Khempajong, and sworn to be the Dharma protector in the region. During the Neypo ritual, the entrance to the dense forest is sealed off for people which will last for a whole season, which is called Rigya lungya dam or Ridam. Ridam is a common practice of mountain closure in which the path to the Zhidag Phodrang, deity’s abode, and the surrounding dense forest are closed to human access from spring to autumn until the rice harvest. During this period, people are generally not allowed to enter the area to collect natural resources or visit any place in the area. After performing rituals, no one is allowed to go there unless except for exceptional occasions. This restriction applies to outsiders as well as people from the village.
Bhutan -
Kha-ram: Gossiping negative forces
Kharam is celebrated in all the villages under Tshenkhar gewog, Lhuentse Dzongkhag of Northeast Bhutan. In the local dialect, Tsangla, "Kharam" means "Gossiping negative forces”. Villages host the festive celebration to please the local deities, and to seek protection them from unforseen disasters for their crops, cattle, and fellow local people. They also pay homage to the local deities for protecting the people, yields and the domestic life of the country by natural calamities. The annual festive event is celebrated on 27th and 28th day of the 8th month of the Bhutanese calendar. The event is celebrated by performing ritual in the morning and consequently by performing boen choe “Bonism” by the communal people in respective locality and followed by traditional games like archery and khuru (dart) competition within the village. The main performer of the celebration is the Bonpo “Chant Leader” accompanied by all villagers irrespective of age. In the past, in the evening of the first day of the celebration, people used to ward-off the negative forces by hitting a rooster against a cow. However, now the community has stopped killing roosters and the symbolism was replaced using a feather. With the performance of Kharam, it is believed that the village will prosper and have good yield in that year with less mishaps in the community.
Bhutan -
Shag-zo: Wood Turning
Wood turned utensils and dishes were present in Bhutan since ancient times. Communities from different parts of Bhutan have a similar type of craft as cups and plates are necessary for all household meals. However, the labour-intensive wood turned lacquer wares from Yangtse earned a considerable reputation in the kingdom. About a century-old traditional woodturning art (Shag-zo) in Yangtse is still a vibrant and popular means of family business and occupation. The present young artisans in Yangtse who are in their 20s and early 30s are the fifth-generation descendants of Lobazang from Kham in Tibet. Like other crafts of Bhutan, Shagzo demands a long process. The extracted wood knots and burls have to be dried; soaked in water; roughly shaped (first turned); roughly turned bowls are boiled; dried again; final turned bowls are smoothened with sandpapers and dried leaves of Trema politoria (locally known as Sog sogpa-shing). After colouring them yellow or red, it becomes ready for the next step – lacquering. Lacquering is another time-consuming process. Traditionally, lacquerers mostly use an urushiol-based lacquer common in East Asia derived primarily from toxic wax trees known as Sey Shing in Yangtse. These wooden bowls are an integral part of both the Bhutanese and Tibetan lifestyles and this explains the high demand for these products in Tibet. In the medieval period, people from Yangtse and Bumdeling traded wooden plates (not Dhapas) and bowls (cups) to Assam (India) and Go-phors (wooden bowl with lid), Lha-phor (bowl with lid used by monks), Dra-phor (bigger than other Phobs originally used by Tibetan Drapas), and Bay-phor (used by Tibetans, and has a deeper interior than Bhutanese hobs) to people of Tibet. Other than products historically exported to Assam and Tibet, Shagzopas make varieties of wood-turned products.
Bhutan -
Den-zha: Annual Offering to a Local Deity
The practice of Bon traditions was widespread in Bhutan long before the arrival of Buddhism, and it retains influence in Tshapey village. Previously people practiced animal sacrifice and had faith in nature. With the advent of Buddhism in the country, many elements of Bon dissipated even as Bon rituals continued. Taking on a fusion of Buddhism and aspects of Bon, this became known as Bo-kar, white Bon. This especially allowed Bon rituals to be performed without sacrificing human lives. Den-zha, a local festival in the village of Tshapey, is one of many such Bo-kar practices. This festival is about appeasing Ke-lha the deity of birth, or the local deity known as Nyep Dangnap, who is commonly worshipped as the protector of the Tshapey community. The deity's dark appearance is said to have given her the name Dang-nap, which is further exemplified by the deity's black mask that can be seen in the Lhakhang, temple, today. The Lhakhang, locally known as Haa Goenpa, or monastery. It is believed that the Goenpa was built on the spot where a dove miraculously landed. The dove is considered to be the Nob Denshap, heart emanation, of the Jowo image of Buddha Shakyamuni of Lhasa, Tibet. It is located about seven kilometers from the road. The most important Nangten, or relic, at the Lhakhang is a large statue of the Jowo Shakyamuni. It is said that any wishes or prayers made before the Jowo will come true. In earlier times, the Tshapey community took care of the Lhakhang, but in 1998 it was given to the Zhung Dratshang Central Monastic Body. It was severely damaged by an earthquake and renovated in 1992. Currently, eight people live in and around the Lhakhang - five Tshampa meditators, one Kunyer caretaker, and one Lopen or Lam the spiritual master. On this occasion, the members of the Tshapey community, including those who have moved away to other places, gather at the village Lhakhang to make Nyen-dhar monetary offerings. If they cannot come, they must come and make Shag-pa confession immediately after the festival period.
Bhutan -
Jela Choedpa: Jela Offering
The practice of propitiation and timely offering (Choed-pa means "offering") of food and drink to the deities has long been found in the history of the people of Bhutan. Although most of these ancient practices have not been put into words, many of these sacrificial rituals to nature gods and deities are still practiced in most parts of Bhutan. These beliefs remain strong as people seek protection from evil spirits, sickness, during disease and famine, and wish for blessings and prosperity. The sacrificial ceremony is held annually on the 15th day of the first month of the Bhutanese lunar calendar. The 15th day is considered the most auspicious day of the month. Depending on time availability, the ceremony can also be held on the 10th day of the first month, but the 15th is the preferred day. The Choedpa ceremony takes place on the mountain top where Jela Dzong stands at an altitude of about 3000 meters above sea level. Jela Dzong (fortress) was built in ancient times to defend enemies. Therefore, the whole area is called Jela Dzong. The fortress is under the care of the government and has been converted into a Lhakhang (temple) where a Lam (teacher) has been appointed and some monks study and live under him. There are no human settlements except for the nomads and yak herders who camp nearby and graze their yaks in the meadow. It takes about 5 hours on foot to reach Jela Dzong from the nearest village downhill. In earlier times, this sacrificial ceremony was important for the well-being of the family and the entire household. With the passage of time, this custom has lost its significance. Nowadays, only a handful of people make the effort to pack their belongings and head up the mountain. Changing times have meant that the 5-hour journey to Jela Dzong is considered too arduous and time-consuming. Instead, some people have considered simplifying the ceremony and going to a nearby mountain peak, only an hour and a half away, to perform the ceremony. It is debatable whether this will work, but according to Ap Dorji, villagers seem to admit that it has worked so far. Still, it is obvious that many things have changed and the custom is losing its meaning.
Bhutan -
Foods of Lhop Communities
Just like any other communities, the livelihood of Lhops also started with hunting and gathering activities. In the past, Lhops gathered wild edible plants like Burr (Kochu or Colocasia) or Lohbol (Tapoica), and hunted as well as fished. With the recent developments in the community, Lhops have adopted agriculture as their source of food and nutrition, and with the passage of time, agriculture has become a way of life for subsistence and commercial means.
Bhutan -
Pholha: Ritual to the Deity of Males
Ney village is one of many across Bhutan to observe a Pholha ritual, a seasonal ceremony to appease the local patron deity. Pholha literally means "male god" who protects the area under his control, such as certain parts of the valley. The identity of the guardian varies from region to region, as does the ritual. The Pholha takes place in Ney every year on the 22nd day of the first lunar month according to the Bhutanese calendar. The villagers perform the ritual mainly to appease their local deity and make offerings. Terdag Zora Ra-ky, the patron deity of Ney Tsachu hot spring; Tsan Yawacha-dhuen, the seven deities; and the Zhidag lord of the settlement of Ney village. The ritual mainly consists of sealing or closing the mountains to people for a certain season, this practice known as Rigya Lungya Dam or Ridam intends to avoid disturbance or defilements of the holiness of the deity’s abode as well as the surrounding sacred areas. Ridam is a practice of mountain sealing known in many parts of the mountains. The road to Baeyul Khempajong, a sacred hidden land, and the mountains are closed to people from spring to autumn until the rice harvest. During this time, people are generally not allowed to enter the area to collect natural resources or visit any place in the area. This prohibition is especially strong for outsiders not from the village. On the day of Pholha, they go early in the morning to the Pholha Phodrang, the deity’s residence, which is located above the village, and make offerings to the Terdag Zora Rakye. Afterwards, they return to the Lhakhang, temple, and make the offering to their Zhidag Yawacha-dhuen, who is located below the mountain Khenjey ri, which can be seen from the village. Villagers in Net perform this ritual believing they are at the eastern gate of the secret land of Baeyul Khenpajong. Before reaching the village at a place called Khaiphu, they believe that there is a key to the secret land, and on the way to Khempajong at a place called Juemo, there is a gate in the form of a large stone. To keep these sacred places secure they perform the Pholha ritual every year.
Bhutan -
Lbaeng Pranang Roteh Ko (Cow-cart Racing Game)
Cow-cart racing game is a traditional sport that Khmer people in the past loved to play, and today there are very few villages that still carry on this tradition, for example, in Prachum Ang village, Cheuong Kerb commune, Kandal Steung district, Kandal province, and Siem Reap province. This cart race is often played during the dry season, especially during the "Dar Lean" and "New Year" festivals to celebrate and gather after the rice harvest. Before the race arrives, those who take part in the sport must choose a cow that is big, tall, and run fast, and train them several times. For the race field, it needs to have lengths from 350m to 500m long and about 10m wide and have dried rice straw to divide the road in two lanes. The carts used in the race are called "Saley" or "Om Bors" carts. They are small, light but strong carts meticulously decorated. Konlos robe or tether rope is important during the race because it can stop the cow from running or give signs to the cow to run to the left and to the right. Konlos robe for cow and Bror Loa or ox collar is made of silk and folded together. The silk is tough, and soft and does not cause inflammation on the cow's nose. The racer must have Jun lougn (stick) to push the cow forward and hit the opponent's cow so that it does not step on the cart. For each race, there are two pairs of cows. The referee for the race must have a long stick made of wood or bamboo about 5m long is called "Hut Dor" to strike between the front and rear carts to determine which cart wins.
Cambodia -
Pang A Peace Begging Ritual of the La Ha
The Pang A Peace Begging Ritual of the La Ha is a ritual to pray for peace, to thank the gods, and to thank the shaman for those who have been cured of illness (adopted children). The ceremony is held annually, in March of the solar calendar, when the Ban flowers and rice flowers are in full bloom, the rain has fallen and the bitter bamboo shoots have grown, or when the poinsettia flowers are in full bloom. In the Pang A Peace Begging Ritual, the Xang Bok tree is an indispensable decorative element, made from the hook tree and wild banana, placed in the middle of the house. The hook tree (lam la) symbolizes the black buffalo, the hook tree dies and turns into a black buffalo, the wild banana tree (lam toc) symbolizes the white buffalo, which are friends of farmers. On this occasion, adopted children from all over come to offer offerings to the gods, to repay the efforts of their adoptive fathers, to have fun together, and to exchange feelings. Depending on the family's conditions, the severity of the illness being cured, whether they are long-time or new adoptees, the adopted children prepare appropriate offerings. The scale of the Pang A Festival depends on each shaman. If the shaman is skilled, has many years of practice, and has many adopted children, the scale of the festival will be large. The rituals include: ancestral worship, worship for the homeowner's soul, worship to invite the gods to attend, worship to send the ancestors' souls to heaven, performing a performance describing a cured illness, plowing and harrowing... When the shaman finishes, his adopted children take turns placing the products they brought on the table for him to worship and invite the gods to come and receive blessings and bless his descendants with good health, good crops, and the growth of buffaloes, cows, pigs, chickens... Around the Xang Bok tree, there are scarf dances, sword dances, tang bu dances, rain-praying drum dances, penis dances (horns), con throwing competitions... The props for the dance include bu (bamboo tubes), cloth scarves, plows, harrows, swords, shields made of wood, bamboo... When the sound of the drums and gongs sounds, each person holds a piece of bamboo and starts dancing tang bu around the wooden board, they follow the rhythm of the drums, gongs and the rhythm of the bamboo tubes. After about 3-4 rounds, they howl together and then return, like that, the dance lasts about 1 hour. In the afternoon, the master continues to pray for his adopted children who come from far away and drink rice wine. The Pang A Peace Begging Ritual contains great humanistic values, with high educational value in the La Ha community in Muong La, Quynh Nhai, Thuan Chau districts, Son La province. The festival reminds descendants to remember the merits of the doctors who cured them of their illnesses, and reminds descendants to remember their roots.
Viet Nam -
Lha-boen/Lha-boe: Invoking the God
Lhaboen is performed in the villages of Taktse and Eusa, Drakten gewog under Trongsa. In Dzongkhag (National language) ‘Lha’ stands for deity or god and ‘boen’ for “Bon”. During Lhaboen the people perform rituals to summon their local deities Yueltsen Dorji Draktsen, Menmo Trashi Wangzom and Lhachen Wodhey Gungyel to their village inside the Lhachim (Temporary house prepared for the deities). The people express the words of gratitude for constantly guiding them and protecting them from all the ill effects of disasters and calamities. The important event is carried out every year where all the people congregate to pray for the wellbeing of its people, animals and crops. The main performer is the phajo accompanied by the elderly people of the village. The women dances, children and other villagers enjoys the day. The 3-day Lhaboen festival is performed annually. The main purpose of the festival is to bring peace, harmony, foster good fortune, and fulfil the desired wishes of the people in the community. In the past people used to please their dieties by offering fresh meat from the slaughtered cows or ox which is now replaced by the meat available in the meat shop. The community stopped slaughtering of animals long time back.
Bhutan -
Bình Đà Festival
According to legend, Binh Da village is where Lac Long Quan took his children to build an inheritance. Noi Temple is the place to worship Duc To Lac Long Quan and Linh Lang Dai Vuong, who made merit to the villagers. To pay tribute to the two saints, the people of Binh Da take the sainthood day of Linh Lang Dai Vuong (February 26 of the lunar calendar) as the opening day of the festival and Lac Long Quan's sainthood day (March 6 of the lunar calendar) as the main festival. Binh Da village festival takes place at both Noi and Ngoai communal houses to commemorate and pay tribute to the two tutelary emperors of the village. On the main death anniversary of the two saints: February 26 and March 6 of the lunar calendar, there is a ceremony to offer two special offerings: offering cows to Duong Canh Thanh Hoang Linh Lang Dai Vuong and offering vegetarian cakes to Duc Quoc To Lac Long Quan.
Viet Nam