ALL
four-line
ICH Elements 17
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ASHULA, tarona
A small folk poetry form consisted from 4 lines. Many ashulas are sung with melodies.
Tajikistan -
Textile Weaving of the Katu
Katu women have their own space in their traditional house to weave brocade fabric in their free time. The main materials include raw fabric fibers and colored fabric fibers, beads (fruit seeds, lead), and rattles (copper). After harvesting, cotton seeds are dried, separated, rolled, and spun into yarn. The cotton yarn has an original white color. To dye the yarn, the craftsman uses the root of the achất, ahứ plant (pink); the trunk and leaves of the tà râm, a chất tree (indigo, black); myrtle roots (purple), angoăn mơrớt, arắc tree (yellow)... To increase the durability of the color, the Katu people use snail shell powder and honey mixed with a mixture of soaked leaves, plants, and forest tubers. fabric. The Katu weaving loom is made from wood and bamboo with parts such as pang; 02 pairs of anóp; chrđóh; Dhrắ; chrtau; Trơ pang; Crusu; Prơ hơm; pê nết; Xe; Crơchan. Popular motifs include diamond-shaped agate, pinwheel-shaped, four-petaled flowers, loincloths drying on a line, spikes, firewood stacked on the stove, rice plants, and dancing women. The main product is Tút cloth with many different sizes and widths. Tút is made from techniques of weaving plain fabric, weaving wavy patterns, and weaving with beaded patterns. Among them, the technique of weaving and attaching beaded patterns is the most difficult and sophisticated. From the Tút sheet, the Katu people create many items such as shirts, loincloths, short skirts, long skirts, robes, scarves, belts, etc.
Viet Nam -
Mar-chang: Wine Oblation Ceremony
Mar-chang or wine oblation ceremony is an offering of Chang-phue (first share of wine) or offering of wine to invoke the glorious teacher, the four assemblages of deities, the dakas and dakinis (celestial beings) of the three realms, the dwellers of charnel grounds, guardians of directions, the local guardians (Kshetrapalas) and asking them to remove all obstacles so that the work may be accomplished successfully. On certain occasions, such as an elaborate Chib-dre ceremony, the Mar-chang offering is performed twice. The first offering takes place outdoors at the end of the Chib-dre procession while the second offering is made during the Zhug-dre phun-sum tshog-pa (Ceremonial setting) ceremony. Performance of the Mar-chang ceremony is not limited to specific places but is held anywhere depending on the nature of the programme — be it in the temple, residence, courtyard, or in an open ground. The Mar-chang ceremony is in line with the traditional custom of presenting a guest with wine called Dong-chang (reception wine) in a container, the lip of which was decorated with three horns of butter (Yar-dron) on the guest’s first visit. This Dong-chang or Mar-chang gesture is to wish the guest a long life and success in all his endeavours. So, the act of offering first to the deities and then to the honoured guest is clearly depicted in ceremonial presentation. The verses for the marchang ceremony were composed by Kunkhen Pema Karpo in the 16th century. During the ceremony, in accordance with the recitation of the verses by monks, the marchang is offered first to the lamas and deities, and then offered to the dignitary. After the Mar-chang is offered to the guest, it is followed by the offering of a small white flag. For the reigning monarch and the Head Abbot, instead of the white flag, the National Flag of Bhutan is offered. The offering of flag symbolises victory over all the negative forces, and increases fortune and luck for the people.
Bhutan -
Mongol Hat
Hat is a primary representation of one’s social status and is the most respected of the traditional clothing items. The toortsog, loovuuz, and four-lugged shovgor hats are a few of the more than 200 different kinds of hats used by the Mongolians in accordance with various customs. Hats are classified by the season as well as the wearer's age and gender. And hats are also classified by the shape and design of their top, such as the "skullcap,” "helmet,” and "flag.” Generally, the Mongolian hat has a pointed or domed top with red tassels, and a downward line of stitches resembling rays of the sun, which can vary in number and other features by ethnic group. The hat symbolizes eternal prosperity of Mongolia in the world. Various furs and skins are sometimes attached to different parts of Mongolian hats depending on their purpose and style.
Mongolia -
Traditional way of moving to a new pasture
Mongols move from place to place throughout four seasons in search for new pastures. In order to use the grass-land properly Mongols move from place to place and this has been an important part of their life and traditions associated with animal husbandry for hundreds of years. There are strict rules to follow for the practices of moving. Mongols have a tradition to move on a clear and cloudless day by observing the sky and weather. The head of the family decides where to encamp. After the loading of the camels or oxen is completed, the old sites of the ger and corral are cleaned. Ashes and rubbish are taken away. The old sites and holes where the tethering line was get leveled. The load leading horse’s main is cut. There is a custom that the lady of the house dressed in her best garment to lead the load on a horseback with fully decorated saddle.
Mongolia -
The Sewang or Jenulang Dance
The Sewang or also called Jenulang Dance is one of the traditional dances of the Orang Asli (Indigeneous) community of the Semai and Temiar ethnics in the state of Pahang. This dance combines the elements of dance, music and songs with 18 dancers or more of both sexes, according to the suitability of the stage area. The dance functions as entertainment, ‘opening up of love’, for marriage, appeasing the spirit of paddy and for healing. This dance is led by an elderly man called Tok Halak, who is also the main singer. The dancers repeat every line their leader sings and move in circle while stomping their feet on the floor. They are accompanied by a traditional musical instrument called ‘Buluh Cetong’ made of bamboo that is stomped on a hard wood. There are four dance formations depending on the dance function. Firstly, the dancers are dancing in one line. Secondly, the dancers are dancing in a circle while moving clockwise or anti-clockwise. Thirdly, the dance is performed in couples of both sexes that sometimes holding hands. Fourthly, in groups. For the purpose of happiness, Sewang is danced after paddy harvesting, or receiving the return of a sibling that works far away or the arrival of a new year, at wedding ceremonies and the like that has elements of bliss. For circumcision ceremony the dance is called ‘Ajok’. For healing purposes the dance is performed in the evening. Outsiders are not allowed to ascend the house where the dance is perfomed until the dance is over.
Malaysia -
Akiu no Taue Odori
“Akiu no Taue Odori” is a folk performing art, expressed mainly by the dance which reminds of the rice cropping, with background music of drums and other instruments. The music for this rice cropping dance is played with big and small drums, flutes, and songs. The dancers are two or four males, depending on a case, as facilitators, and currently about ten females. Females are well dressed up with colorful and fashionable kimono and wear a headdress decorated with artificial flowers. Dances are performed outdoors by females aligning in a line, or sometimes in two lines depending on the space and the number of dancers. The repertoires transmitted to-day are six to ten depending on communities. Each repertoire begins with blessing terms by facilitators who appear from both ends of a line. Dancers perform to the music, alternatively holding fans or sticks with bells on it according to a repertoire. The choreography of these dances reminds people there of the rice cropping. During dances they pray for the best harvest, believing that thus celebrating an abundant harvest in advance may make it true in that autumn; the dance is to bless people. The performance is characterized with facilitators’ progressing and its quite beautiful dances. “Akiu no Taue Odori” is cultural heritage transmitted to-day with its dances begun in the late seventeenth century in the region, wishing for an abundant harvest of the rice cropping. Designated as Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property in 1976, it is currently recognized as such an element of important cultural heritage as widely indicates the transition of Japanese life style. The rice is a principal foodstuff to Japanese since old time. Therefore, its abundant harvest was a really serious wish to them, quite differently from today’s circumstances. The weather immeasurably affects the rice cropping or agriculture in general. As affect of the weather is unavoidable, they prayed for a good harvest by simulating an annual process of the rice cropping before actual cultivation. In an entire process of the rice cropping, taue, i.e. transplanting of seedlings, is especially important; they first seed rice plant in a small section, and when seedlings grow a little, they transplant seedlings onto a wider rice field filled with water. Such transplantation is a traditional knowledge for the prevention of pests and the alleviation of temperature changes. “Akiu no Taue Odori” is a simulation dance for an abundant harvest in order to pray for it, believing that a previous celebration of a possibly abundant harvest of the year may secure an actual good harvest in autumn. The people has sophisticated the dance and developed it to a more spectacular performing art. Becoming a spectacular performing art, it has been transmitted from generations to generations by the people in the communities. Until the early twentieth century, it was performed on every January 15th in each community. Because of such an entertaining element as a beautiful appearance in addition to praying for an abundant harvest, they were often invited by other neighboring communities to perform there. The number of dancers at that time allegedly transcended fifty. Later, the opportunity of invited performance of “Akiu no Taue Odori” declined in number, the season of performance shifted from a severe winter to April or May or to autumn, and the number of dancers dropped to approximately ten. However, it has continued to be performed every year up to-day. The transmitters’, or practitioners’, groups of the performance and the people living in those communities are proud of it before other communities’ groups or societies, and they consider it to be one of their own distinctive cultures. The transmission and the performance of “Akiu no Taue Odori” in front of the public would reconfirm the identity of the transmitting groups and communities, and thus contribute to the continuity of those groups and communities. “Akiu no Taue Odori” is a folk performing art transmitted by ordinary local people for a long time and still performed to-day. Its music and dances reflect Japanese sentiment on performing arts. The background of the transmission and the performance of “Akiu no Taue Odori” indicates the Japanese concept on an agricultural life and the nature. As mentioned above, “Akiu no Taue Odori” has a significant meaning in today’s Japanese society and culture. The transmitters as well as practitioners of the performance are eager to transmit what they have inherited to the future generations.
Japan 2009 -
Dharshing Charni: Hoisting Prayer Flags
Another very popular activity of the Bhutanese is the Dharchar-ni' hoisting of prayer flags with scripts printed on them. That is why beautiful places, mountains, hilltops, treetops, cliff tops, riverside are festooned with multi-coloured prayer flags. In general, prayer flags are hoisted for the benefit of sentient beings, both living and dead, to boost one’s positive energy or luck and to help liberate the souls of our loved ones. There are huge flags called lhadar in front of dzongs, each with a gyetshen (victory banner) on top. There are also flags without scripts printed on them, such as a small white flag called darchung on the rooftop of one’s house and lhadar near one’s house that has just the print of four legendary animals on it. A lhadar with the printed images of the four legendary animals (tiger, snow lion, garuda, and dragon) is also hoisted in front of temples and dzongs. The darchung on rooftops are placed during the annual religious rituals performed by the household, and hoisted in honour of the deities that the household worships. The lhadar showing the images of the four legendary animals is a sign that the temple and dzong contains scriptures like the Three Pitakas (sutra, vinaya and abhidharma). If the temples have sertog (golden pinnacles) on the roof, the victory banner pinnacle is permitted at the tip of the lhadar. The prayer flags come in five different colours: blue, white, red, green, and yellow. The colour of the flag is determined based on the individual’s birth sign represented by the five elements of the twelve year cycle — white for metal, yellow for earth, red for fire, green for wood, and blue for water. The plain flags representing all the five colours hoisted on both sides of the path or road and around houses, or temples or pitched tents, signify important functions, celebrations of happy occasions and reception of dignitaries. They do not have any religious significance. In order to install flagpoles, tall and straight young trees are selected, preferably from coniferous trees that are sometimes called lhashing (tree of the higher beings). Where lhashing is not available, other trees may be substituted, provided they are straight and meet the required height. After felling of the selected tree, bark, branches and knots are completely removed. Sherab reldri(wisdom sword) and khorlo (wheel) made of wood are affixed at the tip of the pole. The base of the reldri is shaped as crescent moon and sun and painted likewise, while the sword is painted bluish in the middle and reddish on the side to represent the sharp blade that destroys ignorance. A curved red line goes upward in the middle of the reldri to signify fire to boost the power of the blade. Lotus petals are painted on the part immediately below the moon to signify the purity of the base of the wisdom sword. In rural villages where these elaborate preparations are not possible, the leafy tops of the branches are used as substitute for reldri and khorlo. The reldri represents Manjushri, the wisdom deity; while the flag represents Avalokiteshvara, the deity of compassion; and the pole represents Vajrapani, the deity of power. Once a flagpole has been selected, it is considered unvirtuous for humans to walk over it, and therefore it should be kept with its tip on a higher ground. The texts and images are printed on cotton cloth from xylographs available in temples and monasteries and with certain private individuals. In the old days, ink was prepared from soot mixed with water and very old singchang (juice of fermented grains) to give the required thickness and strength. The ink is spread over the printing block and the cotton cloth is stretched over the block, and rubbed over gently using a broad leaf. The print will appear on the cotton cloth. The manual printing is repeated until the desired length is achieved. The printed cloth is then attached to the pole with strands of bamboo, leaving a gap of 30 cm below the khorlo and about a metre above the ground. Mantras are printed left to right across the width of the cloth and generally, while attaching the long strip of cloth to the flagpole, it is positioned so that the edge where the mantra begins flutters freely in the air, and the edge where the mantra ends is fixed down the length of the pole. The flags commonly carry mantras of Avalokiteshvara (mani), Guru Padmasambhava (vajra guru), Manjushri, Vajrapani, Tara, Vajrasattva, Buddha Amitayus, Lungta (windhorse) and Gyetshen tsemoi pung-gyen (victory banner sutra). Finally, the flagpole is firmly fixed in the ground and then a consecration ceremony is held. In most cases, high ridges and hilltops are considered ideal locations for prayer flags, because these sites provide plenty of the wind that is needed to flutter the mantra. Besides, hilltops give panoramic view of all the places below, and hence help to reach out the blessings of the prayers to all sentient beings.
Bhutan -
Towards the Rack
The Tuju Para game is popular among the local community around the 1950's. Basically the game uses rubber seeds or rubber bands, sticks or two-branched twig, bamboo cut into four pieces and rope. The two sticks or two-branched twig are spiked in parallel onto the ground and act as the rack pillar. The bamboo pieces are tied on the sticks or twigs and act as the rack. Player turns are determined by hurling the rubber seed or rubber band towards the starting line in front of the rack. The player whose rubber seed or rubber band is closest to the starting line will start the game.
Malaysia -
Dondang Sayang
Dondang Sayang is a Malay traditional music and song that is well-known in the State of Malacca and still practised by four communities such as the Malay, Baba Nyonya, Chitty and Portuguese. “Dondang” means ‘to entertain the heart’ which is the same meaning as ‘Dendang’, while “Sayang” means ‘affection’. The combination of the words “Dondang Sayang” means ‘Love Song’ or ‘Song of Affection’. It cannot be ascertained of the establishment date of Dondang Sayang, but much earlier than the establishment of the Malacca Malay Sultanate in the 15th century. Earlier on, Dondang Sayang was only sung without its music arrangement and accompanied by percussion instruments like drums. The arrival of the Portuguese and conquered Malacca in the 16th century was the beginning of the usage of violin for this arts form. The usual instruments used are the rebana or hand-held drum, gong, accordion as well as the violin that has become very important for the song’s melody. The number of musicians is between four to five people. The violin’s rhythm is regarded as the opening and main accompaniment to the singing, while the rebana’s beat alternating with the gong’s complement the song. Dondang Sayang repertoires are usually sung in rhythms such as Asli, Inang, Joget and Mambo. The lyrics are of quatrain verses sung by the singer in one’s own style depending on one’s respective capability and expertise. Among the singing style is ‘hanging’ the song by shortening the word pronunciation in a quatrain or lengthening the pronunciation of the third or fourth words in the quatrain’s first line, as well as dragging the singing of the meaning in the quatrain.The quatrains are of the linked type or binded or thematic with themes of affection, deed or comedy. Based on tradition, Dondang Sayang performances are accompanied by music and sung by two singers of the opposite sex, who sing in quatrains. Typically, Dondang Sayang singers are individuals who are highly competent and skilled in poetry recitation. Dondang Sayang performances are open to all, irrespective of age, occupation, status or religion, and the art is considered as a means of conveying positive messages and sharing feelings of love, joy and sorrow that strengthen community bonding. There are four (4) types of dondang sayang such as dondang sayang Melaka, dondang sayang Baba Peranakan, dondang sayang Tanjung Penyengat and dondang sayang Pulau Pinang. The difference between them is not on the basis and form of a song or musical instrument but in the way of singing. Now Dondang Sayang is made as one of the main performances in government official functions to ensure the continuity of this arts heritage that has become a signature and iconic of Malacca’s cultural arts. Dondang Sayang has received UNESCO’s recognition as a Representative List of The Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity on 29th November 2018, during the 13th Meeting of Intergovernmental Committee for The Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (IGC-ICH) at the Swami Vivekananda International Convention Center, Port Louis, Mauritius Republic.
Malaysia 2018 -
Dainichido Bugaku
There exist approximately thirty thousand traditional performing arts transmitted throughout Japan. This kind of performing arts is performed by ordinary amateur people in their daily life in order to pray for an abundant harvest, for example, and differs from theatre performing arts in the way of transmission, where professionals performer in front of the audience for the sake of art appreciation. Such performing arts are classified into intangible folk cultural property in Japan, and the transmission of them depends upon the further detailed classification. Dainichido Bugaku is a folk performing art transmitted by ordinary people of the four communities in Hachimantai Town of Kazuno City, Akita Prefecture, positioned in the northern part of the main land of Japan. Japan has the ritual dance and music, called bugaku, that is one of traditional performing arts. It was a performing art brought about to Japan via the ancient China or the Korean peninsula from the fifth to the ninth century, and later sophisticated, developed, and finally Japanized in its long history; it was performed at a rite or a banquet in the imperial palace. While bugaku has been transmitted at the political centre of each age by professional performers, it gradually permeated widely into local areas in the course of a long history of Japan, and ordinary residents in local areas learned it. As a result, bugaku was introduced into local festivals or events, rooted there, and respectively transformed into locally distinctive performing arts. According to a legend of Dainichido, it originates from bugaku performed by professionals from the then Capital City on an occasion of reconstruction of Dainichido, i.e. the shrine pavilion, in the early eighth century. From this legend it was later named Dainichido Bugaku. While it was transmitted in Hachimantai Town, however, it acquired new features in its repertoire, musical instrument and choreography, not found in bugaku. In this sense it is recognized as an important element of cultural heritage which indicates the transition process of performing arts. It was designated by the National Government as Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property. It is one element of intangible cultural heritage which represents the ‘extraneous category’ among the folk performing arts. It is dedicated to the deity on the stage set inside Dainichido on January 2nd with a prayer for the happiness of the year; performers successively dedicate with background music of flutes and drums. It has been transmitted by the people of the four communities, i.e. Osato, Azukisawa, Nagamine, Taniuchi, in Hachimantai Town. Those people are recognized as assuming the special role in the transmission of the performing arts. The transmitted repertoires are nine in total, and they are divided among the four communities for the transmission. Inside each community the elderly transmit its assigned repertoires to the younger and children. Thus, Dainichido Bugaku has been transmitted from generations to generations by the people of the four communities to-day. It is a kind of intangible cultural heritage collectively transmitted by a local community. Moreover, people are proud to perform the ritual dance. Performing the ritual dance deepens people’s sense of affiliation to a local community and reinforces their identity. Dainichido Bugaku is repeatedly performed for a long time from the dawn to noon of January 2nd every year, according to the fix performance order. After the people dedicate Dainichido Bugaku at the fixed site in each of the four communities, they proceed to Dainichido in a line. On the stage set inside Dainichido they together dedicate the nine Bugaku; in some of those Bugaku they put a head of shishi (an imaginary lion) on; in some they put a mask on; in others children perform. Thus, the style of Dainichido Bugaku has some variations, reflecting the local features. Many of the residents in Hachimantai Town gather around the stage on this occasion every year, since Dainichido Bugaku is also significant to people other than the performers in that it prays for the happiness of a new year and let them reconfirm the identity with a local community. Thus, Dainichido Bugaku reflects the history, culture and climate of Japan, and has a great meaning to today’s Japan from the social and cultural viewpoints. On the other hand, the performers are eager to transmit what they have inherited from the ancestors to successors.
Japan 2009 -
Jampa Lhakhang Drub: Commemorating the Consecration of Jampa Lhakhang
Though Jampa Lhakhang is believed to have been established in the 7th century, there is no evidence regarding what rituals may have been held there in its early centuries. Oral tradition traces the present Jampa Lhakhang Drub directly to Dorje Lingpa. As previously mentioned, after arriving in Bumthang, Dorje Lingpa executed the renovation of the temple probably in between 1374–7627. At its conclusion, he conducted a grand Drub dedicated to Guru Drakpo and Lam Kadu Cycle in order to ward off evil forces that might impact the temple and the Buddhist teachings propagated within, thereby sanctifying the newly renovated temple. In particular, oral tradition has it that Dorje Lingpa was said to have performed sibnon (subjugation of the si spirit) under the entry staircase of Jampa Lhakhang to ward off thirty evils that were obstructing Buddhism in the Choekhor valley and beyond. It is believed that the Drub ceremony has been conducted annually ever since during the ninth lunar month. The masked dance performances commemorate the introduction of Dorje Lingpa’s Drub and re-invigorate the spiritual power of the site. Though it takes place in the ninth month, the days were variable and would be fixed depending on what was convenient for the tsawas (sponsors). Chagkhar Lam Dorje claims that the present dates have been fixed only in the last sixty years. Some elements take place prior to the beginning of the fifteenth day, including the exorcism rituals, comprised of jinsek (fire offering), mewang (fire blessing), and sibnon (subjugation of evil spirit). a. Preparations: The Chagkhar Lama and one member from each tsawa household join the committee members for a meeting during which they decide the timetable for festival preparations. On the 29th day of the seventh lunar month, the torgyab ritual is performed at Chagkhar Lhakhang, following which the dancers can begin to practice the cham that will be performed at the festival. Usually, cham practice begins from the next day of the torgyab, that is on the 30th day of the seventh lunar month after offering serkyem to the protective deities of Chagkhar Lhakhang. But if that day is deemed to be inauspicious, astrology is consulted to determine an appropriate date. From the designated day forward, the cham practice takes place every evening at Chagkhar Lhakhang. Similarly, folk dancers chosen from the villages begin practicing on an auspicious day. On the 13th day of the eighth lunar month, a member of each household gathers at Jampa Lhakhang to clean the venue, including in and around the temple and the kitchen. The preparation of ritual cakes, called torzheng, takes place on the 14th day. b. Day One (15th Day of the Eighth Lunar Month): Chamjug (final rehearsal) At mid-morning on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, the presiding lama, monks and all the tsawa members gather at Chagkhar lhakhang, the private temple of Chagkhar Lama family. After offering prayers and serkyem in the temple, they begin a chibdrel procession to guide the sacred religious objects enshrined in the temple37 to Jampa Lhakhang. Once they pass the outer gate of Chagkhar Lhakhang, the procession stops to offer marchang on the lawn by the roadside, after which they move towards Jampa Lhakhang. People line the route to receive blessings from the sacred objects. At the outer gate of Jampa Lhakhang the procession is received by all the members of Drub Tsawa who receive blessings from the sacred objects and offer marchang. They enter the inner courtyard where the procession is received by the Jampa Lhakhang Lama and/or dzongpon and again offered marching before they move inside the Jampa Lhakhang. All the sacred objects are placed inside the inner sanctum of the Jowokhang, everyone makes prostrations to them, and then take part in the zhugdrel ceremony before being served tea. After a break, the programme resumes with the lama presiding over ritual prayers in the Jowokhang. The tsawa members and dancers gather to make thodam (boundary-sealing) prayers for the success of the Drub. After ritual prayers, the lama addresses the dancers and organizers about the importance of the Drub and its continuity to bring good health and prosperity for the community, Bumthang valley and the country at large. He also instructs all participants taking part in the drub to bear their roles and responsibilities without failure. In mid-afternoon, the lama presides over the monks as they perform ritual prayers at each choeten and place a boundary post at each one. The thodam ritual is followed by sibnon, which is conducted in order to maintain continuity with what the locals believe Dorje Lingpa did during the first drub. In sibnon the si spirit are buried in a triangular box underneath a stone slab in front of the inner entrance to the passageway, while a ritual dedicated to Guru Drakpo is performed. After sibnon, jinsek ritual begins at the performance ground. First, the Atsara Gep and the atsaras arrive and explain how and why Lhawang Jajin (Indra) arrived on earth from heaven; meanwhile organizers prepare the fire for jinsek in the middle of the ground. Performances are conducted in the following order: - Zhana Cham, the Black Hat Dance, for jinsek; - Tre Ging Dance, four dancers with wrathful masks hold sticks at each corner of the jinsek fire pit while the Zhana Dance is performed; - Tshog Cham, the Feast Offering Dance; - Mecham, the Fire Dance, by the two Tre Ging dancers around the fire pit (after mecham they proceed to mewang ground carrying a mecha (torch) along with lama, monks and crowds of people. Coming back from mewang, marchang offering and beshed are performed at the performance ground by the patselpas). - Yoeluema (locally called Zhauli), the Malevolent Spirit Dance; - Ju Ging Cham, the Stick Dance of Dorling tradition; - Durdhag Cham, the Dance of the Cremation Ground; - Dri Ging Cham, the Sword Dance of Dorling tradition; - Nga Ging Cham, the Drum Dance of Dorling tradition. The evening programme ends around midnight, and slightly after, the Naked Dance called Tercham begins. c. Day Two (16th Day of the Eighth Lunar Month): Tsukton (Initial ceremony) On the 16th day of the eighth lunar month, the tsukton day, the programme is as follows: - Atsara Gep consecrates the ground and welcomes the audience; - Shinje Yab-yum, the Dance of Yamantaka Father and Mother; - Yoeluema, the Malevolent Spirit Dance; - Ju Ging Cham, the Stick Dance of Dorling tradition; - Dri Ging Cham, the Sword Dance of Dorling tradition; - Nga Ging Cham, the Drum Dance of Dorling tradition. Lunch break - Zhana Nga Cham, the Black Hat Drum Dance; - Pacham, the Dance of the Heroes according to Dorling tradition; - Jachung Boechung, the legend of the bird and the boy. The evening programme ends around 5 p.m., and the Naked Dance begins after midnight. d. Day Three (17th Day of the Eighth Lunar Month): Barton (Actual event) The third day, or barton, takes place on the 17th day of the eighth lunar month. The programme is as follows: - Dralha Pangtoe, when the Atsara Gep leads the atsaras in propitiating local tsen and deities; - Shazam Cham, the Stag Dance; - Zhana Phur Cham, the Black Hat with Dagger Dance. This dance is suspended part way through so that the Durdhag Cham can take place, then the Atsara Gep offers marchang while the Zhana dance is stopped. Then the female folk dancers line up holding the marchang pot. After the marchang is offered, Zhana dance finally concludes. - Ging and Tsholing, the Dance of the Ging and Tsholing. The Tsholing dance first, followed by the Ging, and they enact a dance of the sacred war between the gods and the demons. Lunch Break - Dramitse Nga Cham, the Drum Dance of Dramitse, performed by ten dancers; - Pholey Moley, the Dance of Noble Men and Charming Ladies; - Torgyab, the torma exorcism, is prepared in the Jokhang. The evening programme ends around 7:30 p.m., and the Naked Dance begins after midnight. e. Day Four (18th Day of the Eighth Lunar Month): Droeton (Concluding day) On day four, the 18th day of the eighth lunar month, the programme is as follows: - The Jowo Jampa Thongdrol is displayed between 8:30 to 10 a.m.41 on the northern side of Jampa Lhakhang. During the display, Zhengzhi Pemi Cham, a dance based on Guru’s soldeb, Pa Cham, and singing take place; - Chung Cham, a Garuda Dance performed by four dancers; - Dri Cham, the Sword Dance; - Nga Cham, the Drum Dance; - Tenwang, receiving blessings from the relics42 starts for the public in the Jowokhang. - Raksha Go Cham, Ox-headed Dance introduced by Terton Karma Lingpa in the 14th century; - Raksha Mang Cham, Intermediary Dance introduced by Terton Karma Lingpa in the 14th century; - Raksha Jug Cham, the Concluding Dance of Raksha Go Cham; - Community members offer dhar (scarf) to the champon. The evening programme ends around 6 p.m. f. Day Five (19th Day of the Eighth Lunar Month): Trashi Monlam (Auspicious prayers) The programme for the 19th day of the eighth lunar month is as follows: - Tangra, Thanksgiving prayers offered to the Gonpo Degyed and his retinues; - Removal of boundary posts and offering of serkyem; - Atsara Gep offers farewell prayers at the performance ground and retires to dressing room, signifying the closure of the Jampa Lhakhang Drub; - At the same time, a new champon is appointed by offering dhar; - In the late afternoon, the sacred objects are carried in a procession back to Chagkhar Lhakhang and installed in the shrine until the next Jampa Lhakhang Drub.
Bhutan