The glance on the history of Lhop.

Celebration of Lhops's losar

Sweet Home of Lhops
 Lhops are one of the unique tribal communities found in the Southwestern part of Samtse Dzongkhag. It has a population of around 7000 people. Lhops are believed to be living along the Amo Chhu valley ever since their existence. As per their mythology, their territory stretches down till Mainaguri in India in the South till Haa in the North. They called themselves as “Lhop”meaning the people of South or Lhophu (Southerner).  They are considered to be native Bhutanese.

Nowadays, Lhops are mostly known by Doya (actually Doya, lhotshampa term of kind hearted given by lhotshampa immigrants). “Doya” this term is used at the end of the Lhop’s name. Lhops shows their grievance and dissatisfaction when their name is being suffixed by Doya not Lhop. They prefer to call themselves as Lhop and Lhophu not Doya or Doyap.  

Lhops originally wear a simple dress of plain white cotton cloth. For male, this cloth is wrapped around neck crossing the chest by two ends. It is knotted at the back side of the neck. It is then well dressed at the waist like the present Gho and tied with the karat.  For female dress, it is being wore same as present Bhutanese women except there will be no tego or wonju (as it was not available in the past), but nowadays they wear same as the present kira with tego and wonju because in the ancient periods, due to unavailable of the cotton fiber they couldn’t wear wonju and tego.  Fibers are made from the nettle plant to weave the cloths.

Nowadays, Lhops are hardly seen wearing their traditional dress due to the need of wearing Bhutanese dresses for official purposes.

In the past, Lhops used to live as an extended system of family with maternal uncle as the head of the family. He is responsible for the welfare and well being of the family. They encourage the intra-family marriage (son or daughter of maternal uncle). Due to this, Lhops used to have family members of more than 20 people in the past. This is in order to have close and strong family bond. But nowadays, Lhops have started to separate household from their maternal uncle. Lhop’s marriage system is very simple. Lhops do not have arranged system of marriage. The girl or boy is allowed to choose their own couple. Once accepted, the boy then joins the family of the girl. The simple feast will be organized within the family to welcome the son-in-law to the family. The real celebration of the marriage is done when the girl get conceived. It should be done before the birth. This celebration should be organized in odd month of the pregnancy.

Lhops are superstitious in believe and a traditionally bound. Lhops have great faith in their protective deities. They appease their deities from time to time so as to have ill-free life. Lhops appease their main protective deity called “Gyen Nye”. This is done during the Lo celebration (Lo – the New Year festival of the Lhop). Their religions are extended in bon practices. Lhops appease this Gyen Nye (male deity) by offering rooster head on the roof of their main house. It should be faced towards the present capital Thimphu as they believe that their deities reside in Thimphu. Another rooster head is being offered in the house for the female deities. Lo celebration start on 29^th day of seventh Bhutanese month, which is actually 29^th day of eighth Tibetan month (Lhops follow Tibetan calendar for their Lo celebration). This ritual is being conducted by or under the guidance of maternal uncle as he is the head of the family. It should be over before dawn and before the birds and insects fly over and disturb the ritual. 

Lastly, I would like to thank Mr. Tshewang (teacher of DMSS) for your help and support.

Photos that I have collected during my visit to Sengdhyen Puran

I was really glad to meet all my loving families of Sengdhyen after two years. Though it is not my village but I love to stay at Sendhyen. The warmth they have given me will never erase from my heart. I have learned to live my life from Sengdhyen. They have taught me all the good things and showed me a way to happiness. I love and care them equally as my parents. They too have become my parents and friends in a long journey. I still remembered the days that I have spent with you all. Sometimes running up and sometimes running down. Thank you one and all.

Friend Mitu and Ritu having marathon competition. Took shot on the way to Samtse.

After completing their race,two of them decided to have ice-cream

Three friends looking after their meals. Front Mitu,middle Ritu, and Pitu

Two friends helping for each other to have something as their meals.

Friends,shoot on the way to Samtse

View of Sengdhyen valley

Motto of Sengdhyen puran of 23rd December to 29th December.

Place where the puran was held

 Dasho Dzongrab and other devotees early in the morning starting day with the prayers and wishes.

                      Day was daily started by singing the spiritual songs and with arati.

Devotees praying for the peace and happiness of the universe.

Lamas (pandit) known as Guruji doing their works sincerely.

Devotees listening spiritual stories.

Devotees of different areas attending the spiritual rituals.

Dramas were showed in the middle of the spiritual stories. Pandit carrying Lord Krishna in a cradle.

Guruji in a local channel sharing his love and care with the devotees.
While half of the devotees go for meals, half of the others attain the spiritual
stories in a local channel.

Devotees offering their gratitude to God in the form of donation.

Spiritual books were also sold during the puran and those who are interested can
but the books from the books shop.

Drama on the spiritual scriptures of Bhagawat Geeta.

Group of boys dancing in a spiritual songs(bhajan) on their own way.

Devotees participating in a spiritual dance.

Trying to contribute in a simple way.

An old man contributing his music during the spiritual ritual.

Meals were also served during the ritual. Devotees having their meals after whole day ritual.

Devotees at the end of the ritual with their rewards.

The spiritual ritual was completed successfully. Devotees dancing in the last day of the ritual

Mr.Rocky,little friend of Mr.Pritam. He was just a small puppy when I was in Sengdhyen.
I was glad to meet him after almost two years.

Holidays

Days before the exams were really tough. We often dream of relaxing ourselves. I had a dream of watching so many movies after exam. Thought of sleeping like a Kumbhakharnaa and knitting different types of shocks, scarf and gloves.

We finished our exam on date 6/12/2014 and busy after that. For the first time in my life, I participated in a lhotshampa dance. I wish myself dancing but never showed in a reality. It was a tough time for me to even move my body. I was totally out of balance still than I manage to dance myself. I thought I could do it because everything is possible if we are interested in it.

We had fun and enjoyed lots while practicing the dance.

Finally the day approached for all of us to show our talent and we were all eagerly waiting for the royal visit to the college. People from different areas came to prepare for the national day celebration. College became new place for us.

Roads were covered by the people. People of Tashigang Dzongkhag and even from the other Dzongkhag came to celebrate the National day. It was a privilege for all of us to attain the National day. Indeed we are lucky enough to have the Royal family out here in our college (Sherubtse).

We woke at 5 am and prepared for the celebration. Finally the programme ended around 5 pm. Finally the National day was ended successfully. The weather even favors us and it was an enjoyable day for all of us and wishes the same day in future.

Actually I never go out of my hostel. You know WHY? It’s because I feel unsecure myself. I feel bore to go out but its good sometime going out and viewing the beauties. I am a silent lover and always want to stay in my room and spend time on watching movies, listening bhajans (spirituals songs-my favorite songs). Silent lover does not mean that I love to stay alone. It means that I want to live in a simple way with the best meaning.

After our exam, I went out with madam.  I have reached there before but it was my fault to notice the nature around as a nature lover. The walk recalled me of going home. I felt like I was going home. The walk ever took place. I felt like we were walking in the midst of clouds. We were covered with the dusts. The vehicles were in a line and we were walking by the side.

The moment we step Khangma, I felt peace inside my heart. I felt like I was in a heaven. Wow!!!! The beautiful flower garden, the clean surrounding and the heavenly place, I was carried away by the beautiful nature. I wish to stay there forever but no options. 

 Holidays were already started. I recalled all the memories that I used to spent the holidays. I came to Thimphu on date 20^th December. It was really a wonderful and interesting journey that I ever had. Journey was meant to be remembered. Finally we were at Thimphu with our parents.

Wow the beautiful creature. I love you so much. At first, I was scared of going near little Nanu (monkey) though I thought of playing with you. I used to watch her playing, sometime crying and sometime jumping here and there. Slowly I went near Nanu and the moment I reached near Nanu, he caught my hair and jumped on my head. I was scared and shouted for help but to my surprise, she did nothing instead she sat on my lap and slept silently. I was touched by her feelings. I felt something might be interconnected between us.

I wish she could talk so that we can share happiness and sorrows together. That is not only the solution I have to but we can share our warmth even being best friends.