It was 14th December 2009; I woke up early as five in the morning, had my breakfast and headed towards my home town, Paro. As I got into a cab and began my journey, I saw many other Parop heading Paro. Most were civil servants and their families. We all had one reason to
go home unlike other days. Everyone heading Paro were going for Lomba, one of the most important annual events for the Parops and Haaps. Unlike rest of the country, Parops and Haaps began our New Year from the 1st of the Eleventh Month of the Bhutanese Year. So we celebrate the New Year starting from 29th of Tenth Month of the year till the 3rd of Eleventh Month lasting for five consecutive days. The only difference between the Haaps and Parops is that Haaps prepare a special flour made meal called Hoentoey where as Parops don’t prepare any such meal.
I joined the rest of my family members comprising 14 members and took part in the celebrations. The day started with traditional meal known as Thuep (Porridge prepared from rice, meat and yak chees/chhurkam). For me and my village, the first day is celebrated with a village Rimdro(Ritual) at our public lhakhang with offering of Nyendhar. Everyone in the village took part in the ritual irrespective of age or gender. We prayed for another fruitful and successful year ahead without famine and diseases in the village. At the end of the day, we make an effigy to drive away all the bad omens in the year ahead.
The second day is marked by the offering of butter lamps as it is the last day of the year before and is also one of the three important religious day called Namgang. We also celebrate it by stone bath. Apart from this, the males in the family also take part in the Archery Tournament usually within the village.
The third day is considered to be the most important day of Lomba. It is celebrated in a more elaborate manner. It is the real New Year as it is the 1st Day of the New Year. Usually, on this day, nobody goes anywhere. Instead everyone one in the family spend the day together with feast and enjoyment. However, villagers organize archery tournament between villages on this day and the second day. We would see that the reality of extended family in the rural areas and also give us the feel of our rural life.
On the second day, as early as four in the morning, despite of cold and chilly weather, atleast one of the family members usually the eldest male get up and start our usual practice of Bonchhoey. This has existed for centuries and still continues. The good part of this practice is that, unlike most of the Bon practices in the country, here we offer only rice made Torma.
The final and the third day is marked by the conclusion of the archery match with village picnic. It is celebrated with fun and dances.
The five day Lomba reminds me of how I used to be naughty when I was young back in the village. It also reminds me of not being materialistic and content with what I have when I lived in my villages many years ago. It also helps me to keep abreast of the happenings in the villages from socio-economic development to degradation of our culture and traditions. It also helps to me be more aware of the sacred and unique culture of Parops, the celebration of Lomba.
In short, Lomba is one event that brings all my family members together every year and it does to other Parops and Haaps.
go home unlike other days. Everyone heading Paro were going for Lomba, one of the most important annual events for the Parops and Haaps. Unlike rest of the country, Parops and Haaps began our New Year from the 1st of the Eleventh Month of the Bhutanese Year. So we celebrate the New Year starting from 29th of Tenth Month of the year till the 3rd of Eleventh Month lasting for five consecutive days. The only difference between the Haaps and Parops is that Haaps prepare a special flour made meal called Hoentoey where as Parops don’t prepare any such meal.
I joined the rest of my family members comprising 14 members and took part in the celebrations. The day started with traditional meal known as Thuep (Porridge prepared from rice, meat and yak chees/chhurkam). For me and my village, the first day is celebrated with a village Rimdro(Ritual) at our public lhakhang with offering of Nyendhar. Everyone in the village took part in the ritual irrespective of age or gender. We prayed for another fruitful and successful year ahead without famine and diseases in the village. At the end of the day, we make an effigy to drive away all the bad omens in the year ahead.
The second day is marked by the offering of butter lamps as it is the last day of the year before and is also one of the three important religious day called Namgang. We also celebrate it by stone bath. Apart from this, the males in the family also take part in the Archery Tournament usually within the village.
The third day is considered to be the most important day of Lomba. It is celebrated in a more elaborate manner. It is the real New Year as it is the 1st Day of the New Year. Usually, on this day, nobody goes anywhere. Instead everyone one in the family spend the day together with feast and enjoyment. However, villagers organize archery tournament between villages on this day and the second day. We would see that the reality of extended family in the rural areas and also give us the feel of our rural life.
On the second day, as early as four in the morning, despite of cold and chilly weather, atleast one of the family members usually the eldest male get up and start our usual practice of Bonchhoey. This has existed for centuries and still continues. The good part of this practice is that, unlike most of the Bon practices in the country, here we offer only rice made Torma.
The final and the third day is marked by the conclusion of the archery match with village picnic. It is celebrated with fun and dances.
The five day Lomba reminds me of how I used to be naughty when I was young back in the village. It also reminds me of not being materialistic and content with what I have when I lived in my villages many years ago. It also helps me to keep abreast of the happenings in the villages from socio-economic development to degradation of our culture and traditions. It also helps to me be more aware of the sacred and unique culture of Parops, the celebration of Lomba.
In short, Lomba is one event that brings all my family members together every year and it does to other Parops and Haaps.
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