Gamung:the land of joy.
A village is surrounded by maize field and skeleton of orange trees.If you look further, there are abundant of red scarlet covering every households.I dont know who and when the village was founded but being the true son of Gamung, it became my subject of writing for today.Geographically it is sandwiched between Shali and Gonpung villages.
It has household around 30 roughly. The village is touched by modern connectivity and wires-road and electricity.
After many years of schooling and finding the way of living, I traced the significance of origin and it was my village.It was the days I was brought up with a piles of dried dirt over red hardened face and terrorized much by the words of Khekpa( head hunters).
It still reverberates the beating of drum, cymbals and the music during Tshechu days and much feared from the emotioning faces of Atsara.
And only a place was DUNGJUR.
Dungjor was first set up by Lopen Chendrak and Tawmey as sponsoring of the mantra scripts for Dungkhor was Domkhar lopen Barmu.(Domkhar lopen in common)
A Carpentery work and labouring of Mani Dungkhor was monitered by Jetshel Wangdi.
After few years, a small temple was built up by locals and finalised a common spot for the people of gamung, similarly,
First cham was instituted for lhakhang. Some of the mask dancers were sent to Yaak Gang Monger to learn the chaams.
Among them Gaylong Drak Tsechu's father was known as Gasha watsu( being a Hunter) was one.
Today the Chaam Poen's role was shouldered by Mr. Tashi Phuntsho.He had the experience of dancing for more than thirty years. He is also a legendary dancer of our time. He trains the new ones and make sure the Tshechu is performed annually. ( experienced Dzongkhag dancers)
Before Tshechu was a good time for the people to share the common joy of appreciating the cultures, wearing an eye catching dresses and sharing a meals and drinks. Only a few- very less of local shops could be sighted but now a days, Tshechu has been a place of businesses hub, gambling place and smacking the beer bottles.
More than the Tshechu it is a festive mood for the people to celebrate their hard work of the year and hope for another better more years to come.
During Tshechu- annual rimdro called Mangdok, fireoffering and other obstacles averting rituals are performered as per the astrological findings and the advices.
I was happy to hear about the legendary dances performed by local folks in olden days.Meymey Tendri( passed away)- who was gaint and tall resembling the appearance of mountain always had the pleasure of dancing with a lion headed mask during Dramitse Ngachaam. The way he danced was amusing and till date people remembers him for the beautiful gesture of his dance.
While another lopen kuwang, lhendrup and Bobjay ( all passed away)had the preferences of dancing the Yamataka dance in pairs.
The performing antics and dances of An Atsara was Meymey Donpey,(passed away)his boldness, humorous and short tempered qualities was the man of legend who remembers him till date.
To my growing age in a village , I remember the days when lama kinga from Kheri Gonpa and Chaskhar lopen would come and preside over the Tshechu and the naked dance of lopen Norbu to stop rain.
The Tshechu was also performed during the eight months of the Bhutanese calendar but now with the decreasing number of villagers, they opts during winter with School going children.
Finally, it was a blessings to know such place that holds the significance and inspiration. It is a good reflection for the aging man like me and one day I shall take pride in explaining to my children about the place.
Declaration: The information provided above are liable for change as and when I can authenticate the facts and figures.
A village is surrounded by maize field and skeleton of orange trees.If you look further, there are abundant of red scarlet covering every households.I dont know who and when the village was founded but being the true son of Gamung, it became my subject of writing for today.Geographically it is sandwiched between Shali and Gonpung villages.
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| Gamung village- photographed from Gonpung. |
After many years of schooling and finding the way of living, I traced the significance of origin and it was my village.It was the days I was brought up with a piles of dried dirt over red hardened face and terrorized much by the words of Khekpa( head hunters).
It still reverberates the beating of drum, cymbals and the music during Tshechu days and much feared from the emotioning faces of Atsara.
And only a place was DUNGJUR.
Dungjor was first set up by Lopen Chendrak and Tawmey as sponsoring of the mantra scripts for Dungkhor was Domkhar lopen Barmu.(Domkhar lopen in common)
A Carpentery work and labouring of Mani Dungkhor was monitered by Jetshel Wangdi.
After few years, a small temple was built up by locals and finalised a common spot for the people of gamung, similarly,
 |
| Newly built Mani Dungkhor- sponsored by local, civil servants and generous donars. |
Among them Gaylong Drak Tsechu's father was known as Gasha watsu( being a Hunter) was one.
Today the Chaam Poen's role was shouldered by Mr. Tashi Phuntsho.He had the experience of dancing for more than thirty years. He is also a legendary dancer of our time. He trains the new ones and make sure the Tshechu is performed annually. ( experienced Dzongkhag dancers)
Before Tshechu was a good time for the people to share the common joy of appreciating the cultures, wearing an eye catching dresses and sharing a meals and drinks. Only a few- very less of local shops could be sighted but now a days, Tshechu has been a place of businesses hub, gambling place and smacking the beer bottles.
More than the Tshechu it is a festive mood for the people to celebrate their hard work of the year and hope for another better more years to come.
 |
| Chaam poen- training the assistant Chaam poen. |
During Tshechu- annual rimdro called Mangdok, fireoffering and other obstacles averting rituals are performered as per the astrological findings and the advices.
I was happy to hear about the legendary dances performed by local folks in olden days.Meymey Tendri( passed away)- who was gaint and tall resembling the appearance of mountain always had the pleasure of dancing with a lion headed mask during Dramitse Ngachaam. The way he danced was amusing and till date people remembers him for the beautiful gesture of his dance.
While another lopen kuwang, lhendrup and Bobjay ( all passed away)had the preferences of dancing the Yamataka dance in pairs.
 |
| Small temple that houses for few statues. |
The performing antics and dances of An Atsara was Meymey Donpey,(passed away)his boldness, humorous and short tempered qualities was the man of legend who remembers him till date.
To my growing age in a village , I remember the days when lama kinga from Kheri Gonpa and Chaskhar lopen would come and preside over the Tshechu and the naked dance of lopen Norbu to stop rain.
The Tshechu was also performed during the eight months of the Bhutanese calendar but now with the decreasing number of villagers, they opts during winter with School going children.
Finally, it was a blessings to know such place that holds the significance and inspiration. It is a good reflection for the aging man like me and one day I shall take pride in explaining to my children about the place.
Declaration: The information provided above are liable for change as and when I can authenticate the facts and figures.
 |
| New structure-sponsored by govt. |
Note:Serthakpa lopen ( short in appearance)had an influence over Nongar lopen and Domkhar lopen- the roots of all teaching was originated from Tokden Sakya Shri.
Tsampa Thinley from Ngorkhe(zobel)was the teacher of Kinzang Yeshey.(Dechen Ata)From him, he was introduced to the skills of painting,crafting and performing rituals. He had much influence in uniting and sustaining the annual Tsechu for many years.
Asper my findings: no recorded dates of establishment. Calculating of time period was heavy headache for me since no written notes could be traced out. No proper facts and figures.
Source: oral history from Gupdrep RinzinTsampa Thinley from Ngorkhe(zobel)was the teacher of Kinzang Yeshey.(Dechen Ata)From him, he was introduced to the skills of painting,crafting and performing rituals. He had much influence in uniting and sustaining the annual Tsechu for many years.
Asper my findings: no recorded dates of establishment. Calculating of time period was heavy headache for me since no written notes could be traced out. No proper facts and figures.
Great writing of dairy la. Please keep going.
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