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Kharphu: The White God Ritual
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  • Manage No, Sortation, Country, Writer ,Date, Copyright
    Manage No EE00002106
    Country Bhutan
    ICH Domain Social practices, rituals, festive events
    Address
    Chali gewog (block) center is located 23km drive from Mongar town, ranging altitude from 900m to 2400m from sea level. Kharphu is practiced by Chali chewog (cluster) only, but whole responsible comes to 4 household only. But, Gunglha is believed and small offering ritual is practiced when people suffer from eye infection and people of all the Chali gewog, Torma-zhong and Nharche from Tsakaling Gewog do perform rites to this god. Though it is shouldered by four household, all the people believe that if Kharphu is left or discontinued misfortune will fall upon them and native of chalipas do share some misfortune stories too. There is only Memey (Grandpa) Karma and Dechen Dorji left who can take up responsibility of Wanbu. Kharphu is at the verge of extinction without the help of community, gewog and other relevant agencies. The place where they prepare an altar is called Lha-brang. The place where they found the bat is called as Khure Draphu which is located at bottom of Kongla bra. Kharphu ritual got unique lyrics which are not documented till date. There are only two people left who can recite these lyrics. Community is afraid that there will not be Wanbu if they pass away and none are willing to take up the responsibilities. Kharphu culture is at verge of extinction in Chali.
    Year of Designation 2019
Description Kharphu (The White God Ritual) is celebrated every year on fourth month of Bhutanese calendar. Though meaning of Kharphu cannot be stated clearly but village older bearer believes Kharphu means “white god ritual” where no animal sacrifices are made. There are two types of Kharphu namely Gudpa (Extended) and Chunku (Abridged) which are observed consecutively every year. During a larger kharphu, dish called pan is prepared and served, and is observed for 3 days, while in smaller Kharphu pan (Wild betel leave fried) serving is skipped and is observed for two days. The origin of Kharphu and its story is has been transmitted verbally from generation to generation. Ex.Tshogpa Lhalungla is a descendent of one of the host family, he shared that as per the story he received from the older people of village that when the people settled in Chali as per their karmic action, during those days no matter how much they work, the grains and cereals were not enough to feed their family, food they eat didn’t contain nutrition, cloth they wear don’t provide the warmth, even they can’t sleep soundly. Then people gathered to discuss over it. During meeting one the villager pointed out that we don’t have a god to guide and protect us, and this may be the reason we have been suffering. Then all the villagers agreed that then need a god. Among them there was a man named Sherub, who is farsighted, knowledgeable and reliable man. Then villagers insisted him to go and receive god. He denied, saying he is incapable for this task. He said this task can be only accomplished by Gomchen phawang (Bat). Then sherub went in all the direction in search of bat but met with gods of four directions but couldn’t find bat. Then one of the god from four direction prophesied that bet is inside their village only, inside a cave call Asi-kaure draphy (cave) which shadow falls in water and water splashes on the walls of cave. And this place is believed to be located at the bottom of Kongla bra (Kongla cliff) at the end of Chali and still there are many bats in it. Bat was brought to the village and at first, bat also denied the villagers request but towards end of the day bat accepted but he said gift has to be taken for sons and daughters of god. For sons they arranged three armful of arrows and for daughters three Urka (Lether sack) full of Bakur (square shaped bamboo container). Then, bat made his journey towards north. After a long journey bat reached Tsampa, place believed to be located in Tibet, where god Gung-Lha-Lhapsang Gyelpo resides. Finally he could meet the god and shared his reason for visit. God criticize him about his face, legs and wings, so, he can return him alone, but he changed every criticism in positive way by saying “my rat like face is to sing a song for god father and mother, my skinny leg is to perform dance in front of god father and mother, my lathery wings is to fan your god father and mother. Bad couldn’t send back with all the means and strategies of god, finally promised to send one of his children. Gunglha lhapsang Gelpo has four daughter and four sons. He told to send one the daughter to god mother and she said to god to send one of his son. God father and mother had a very hot discussion over it. And they decided to roll a die, and god father lose the game and had to send his son along with bat to bless Chalipas (Residents of Chali). Here at Chali goat was received by Sherub along with the villagers. Since then Sherub was known as Bonpo pa Sherub, since it was a Bon Lha (God of Bon religion).And his descendent has to perform Bonpo Wanboo (Shaman). And Bonpodpa Sherub became host along with another rich household. And currently there is four household descendent holding as host during Kharphu. But, with passing time and generation Bonpodpa Sherub’s descendent couldn’t shoulder the responsibilities of Wanbu and is appointed one of the interested and capable people from their village. There is no as such rule to appoint Wanbu. There is unique lyric and tune from journey of god’s son of including all the places where till Chali, different household visiting household lyrics and blessing, farewell lyric and unique tones.
Social and cultural significance Kharphu showcase the rich culture and tradition preserved till date. It signifies the uniqueness and in their believe system. Usually in most of the Boenchoe (Bon religion), meats and bloods of animals were offered to god, whereas in Kharphu host has to be pure vegetarian throughout the ritual and participants were also served vegetarian meals only except dry fish during 8th day morning. The purpose of this ritual is to receive blessing of god in bountiful harvest, peace and prosperity, protect from illness. And it is believe that if Wanbu and participants visited a house, then for one year the household will not suffer from eye illness. Usually in Torma-zhong (village under Tsakaling Gewog) and all part of Chali gewog use to make offering to Gunglha (ritual performed to heal eye illness) when they suffer eye related illness. And interestingly, different house hold has different offering timing to be performed by Wanbu or older people who knows how to make offering. Kharphu use to bring all the people together and had a time where they can share the meals together. During Kharphu people who left th village through marriage or other ways also use to come to pay homage to Kharphu god and meet their family members. But with the changing era everything are vanishing said by the member of Kharphu host family.
Transmission method During the fourth month of Bhutanese calendar from the 2nd day host family 9 Drey (equivalent to 1.5kg) of wheat to prepare Bangchang (local brewed wine). It was believed that there was only two household who could host the program being rich in the village, now there are four household who host the program and both are descendent of that two household. Form the 1st day of 4th month till the program ends, the host family members should be strict vegetarian and even shouldn’t be speaking a word saying pork. It’s believed that if they fail to it, they will suffer from acute diarrhea and eye infection. On 8th day of fourth month calendar, host prepare alter called Lha-brang in a particular location, and place was named after it as Lha-brang. Wanbu (shaman) prepare the alter with 81 triangle shaped ritual cake out of wheat flour brought by communities during 8th day morning, erect Lha-shing (God’s tree) with different items attached on it and wears white crown on his head to receive the god, on the 8th day morning. Once the Wanbu receives the god by reciting the lyrics, host offer Bangchang (wheat wine prepared on 2nd day) to god followed by community offering of Tshog (food items and fruits). Program continues till 9th on Kharphu Chunku and till 10th days on Kharphu Gudpa. Team headed by Wanbu visits every possible houses and believed to be blessed that household by god through Wanbu and team. On these days none of the Chalipa is allowed to work in their field. Wanbu returns to Lha-brang on end program day before mid-day to requite god back to his place but program still continues till last day midnight and the program wrap up by performing “Chela”(Unique ritual performance). There is no as such means through which new generation can learn from existing generation. Interested one can go and view the rituals and participate in performance, this is only the way how it is transmitted from generation to generation. Bearer of this element shared his concern over it saying that without the intervention soon, Kharphu will vanish from Chali. During olden days Kharphu was one of the major entertainments but with the changing time no one takes part and interest in it. The values and respect towards Kharphu are lost in young children; by the time they realize it will be too late. He says it’s not that they need monetary help, what they want is manpower to coordinate and participant for the program.
Community Chalipas can be trace back to seven different origin: native of Chali who are believed to be from chali only, Dungsampa form Ngalam (People of Pema Gatshel), Kurtoep (People of Lhuentse), Indian, Khengpa (People of Zhemgang) and Masang (giants and strong). The bearer who is still host of the ritual can be trace back to Bonpodpa Sherub and his rich neighbor, they don’t have any origin to trace back, therefore, the are native of Chali only. Wanbu is practiced by Bonpodpa shrerub’s descendent but with the passing generation they couldn’t keep in pace and just now any interested and capable person is requested to shoulder it. As mentioned before, there is only Memey Karma and Dechen Dorji left who can take up responsibility of Wanbu. Data collected by: Mr. Sonam Gyeltshen, Teacher Chali Lower Secondary School, Mongar
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Information source
National Library and Archives of Bhutan
https://www.library.gov.bt/archive/
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