| Description |
The Lepcha community under Samtse Dzongkhag (district), especially the Limithang Chiwog (sub-block) under Samtse Gewog (block), conducts the indigenous festival “Ram Faat” annually. All the Lepcha in this community are Buddhist. It is a community festival where even the Lepchas as far as Paa Chu, Phuntsholing under Chukha Dzongkhag come to observe Ram Faat in Limithang chiwog. It is a five-day festival worshipping the God of earth for protection of their society and country from misery. During this festival, they propitiate the deities seeking protection from natural calamities such as earthquake, flood, landslides and well-being of all sentient beings. There is a strong belief that that their tutelary deity resides in one of the giant mountains where they locally call it as Zay Nga facing North east of their community Lhakhang (temple).
Annually, Ram Faat is held for five days from 10th to 14th days of the 12th month of the lunar calendar. This is one of the Lepcha’s most intriguing festivals that the Lepcha community in the locality observe.
It is unknown when the Ram Faat was initially introduced but it is conducted in one storied Community Lhakhang, Limithang Chiwog which is three hours drive on a rough feeder road from Samtse Dzongkhag. While the actual date of the establishment of the temple is not known, the head lama said that the Lhakhang used to be there during their fore fathers’ time indicating that the temple used to be there from 16th century. There was no evidence how the Lhakhang looked like before. It has only been five years now that the Lhakhang, with the help of the government support, has been face lifted with the concrete walls and aluminum corrugated sheets. The majestic Guru Rinpoche statue is the primary image in the main shrine room and also require two Choep/chogap (ritual performers) along with the head lama of the community Lhakhang.
However, certain parts of the element seemed to have been lost. For example, when asked about the performance of the mask dance during the festival, the Lama (narrator) said that the practice of performing the mask dance during this festival had declined with the loss of the equipment (mask and dress) due to insects and pests. Today, no one in the community knows what kind of mask dances were performed during this festival. The Lama (also the narrator) seems to be frail and old, but he assured that he has two trained disciples in the community who will maintain the continuity of this festival even after his death.
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| Transmission method |
First Day (10th day of the Twelfth Lunar Month)
On the first day of the festival, the Gup, the head of the village block, Chupen, Mangmi, Tshogpa, Lama and one member from each household of the Limithang Chiwog, Samtse Gewog, which forms the committee, gather for a meeting to plan the preparations for the festival. They plan, organize, instruct, and assign participants their individual roles and responsibilities. In addition, they oversee the resources needed for the event and ensure that all aspects of the feast are well executed. Most of the items needed are provided through the direct and indirect contributions of all households in the community. The tongba (a millet-based alcoholic beverage) is prepared a week before the festival. Community members contribute rice, cooking oil, alcohol, vegetables, flour for ritual cakes, butter and other food items, and residents share the work with ease.
Day two (11th day of the twelfth lunar month).
On the morning of the eleventh day of the twelfth lunar month, the Choeps arrive. Under the guidance of the Lam, the Choeps begin preparing torma (ritual cakes) at the Lhakhang. More than fifteen kilograms of kapchi (wheat flour) are used to make the torma. Among the many torma, a special torma is also made called zay nga torma, which denotes the mountain where they believe their patron deity resides. The work of Tor-zheng (torma making) lasts until late evening and ends with the Tordub ritual, the ritual prayer after the Torma making is completed.
Third day (12th day of the twelfth lunar month)
On the 12th day of the twelfth lunar month, ritual prayers begin with Lhabsang. Lhabsang is a purification ritual and is performed to rid the residents and their household of impurities, negative forces and obstacles. The Lhabsang is followed by the Kangsha (confession prayer), in which the patron deities are asked to forgive all obscurations and transgressions. The Kangsha ritual ends in the evening with the offering of Zay Nga torma outside the Lhakhang towards Mount Zay Nga to appease the deities.
Fourth day (13th day of the twelfth lunar month)
On the 13th day of the twelfth lunar month, ritual prayers begin with the Lhabsang, followed by the Tshepamed ritual - prayers for long life of the people.
Fifth day (14th day of the twelfth lunar month).
On the last day of the festival, the day begins with the Lhabsang followed by the worship of the local deities. After asking the local deities for protection and blessings, the presiding Lama gives the blessing (Wang) to the public gathered in the courtyard of the Lhakhang. After the Wang ceremony, there is singing and dancing, and the whole community stays awake drinking, singing and dancing throughout the night.
The folk belief is related to this: If this annual festival is not celebrated, it will bring bad luck to the community. Therefore, this festival must be held every year. |
