Tsechu

Tsechu (literally "day ten") are annual religious Bhutanese festivals held in each district or dzongkhag of Bhutan on the tenth day of a month of the lunar Tibetan calendar. The month depends on the place, but usually is around the time of October. Tsechus are religious festivals of Drukpa Buddhism. The Thimphu tsechu and tha Paro tsechu are among the biggest of the tsechus in terms of participation and audience. Tsechus are large social gatherings, which perform the function of social bonding among people of remote and spread-out villages. Large markets also congregate at the fair locations, leading to brisk commerce.[1]

Contents

Tsechu traditions

The focal point of the tsechus are the sacred Cham Dances, which are banned in neighbouring Tibet. These costumed, masked dances typically are moral vignettes, or based on incidents from the life of the 9th century Nyingmapa teacher Padmasambhava and other saints. [1]

Most tsechus also feature the unfurling of a thongdrel (or thangka) - a large tapestry typically depicting a seated Guru Rinpoche surrounded by holy beings, the mere viewing of which is said to cleanse the viewer of sin. The thongdrel is unrolled before dawn and rolled up by morning.

History of Tsechus

Padmasambhava, the great Nyingmapa scholar, visited Tibet and Bhutan in the 8th century and 9th century. He used to convert opponents of Buddhism by performing rites, reciting mantras and finally performing a dance of subjugation to conquer local spirits and gods. He visited Bhutan to aid the dying king Sindhu Raja. Padmasambhava performed a series of such dances in the Bumthang valley to restore the health of the king. The grateful king helped spread Buddhism in Bhutan. Padmasambhava organized the first tsechu in Bumthang, where the eight manifestations of Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava being the human form) were presented through eight forms of dances. These became the Chams depicting the glory of Padmasambhava.

Schedule

The dance schedule for each day of the four day festival is set out and generally consists of the following dances.

List of tsechus

Below is a list of major tsechus in Bhutan, along with their 2011 dates. Dates in other years will vary.

Bhutan tsechu dates (2011)[3]
Date Tsechu Location
January 02–04 Trongsa Tsechu Trongsa
January 02–04 Lhuntse Tsechu Lhuntse
January 02–04 Pemagatshel Tsechu Pemagatshel
January 09 Shingkhar Metochodpa Bumthang
January 09–13 Nabji Lhakhang Drup Trongsa
February 10–15 Punakha Dromache & Tshechu Punakha
February 17–21 Tangsibi Mani Bumthang
February 18 Chorten Kora Trashiyangtse
February 18 Tharpaling Thongdrol Bumthang
February 19–21 Buli Mani Chumey Bumthang
February–March
(1st month, 7th day)		 Trashiyangtse Tsechu Trashiyangtse
March 04 Chorten Kora (2nd) Trashiyangtse
March 13–15 Gomkora Trashigang
March 13–15 Talo Tsechu Talo, Punakha
March 13–16 Zhemgang Tsechu Zhemgang
March 15–19 Paro Tshechu Paro
March 17–19 Chhukha Tshechu Chukha
April 01–03 Gaden Chodpa Ura, Bumthang
May 12–14 Domkhar Festival Chhume, Bumthang
May 14–18 Ura Yakchoe Ura, Bumthang
June 19–21 Padsel–Ling Kuchod Bumthang
June Laya Bumkhosa Festival (Bongkor) Laya
July 08–10 Nimalung Tshechu Bumthang
July 09–10
does not move		 Alpine Ha, Haa
July 10 Kurjey Tshechu Bumthang
July 29 Gangte Kurim Gangte, Wangdue Phodrang
October 01–05 Thimphu Drupchen Thimphu
October 04–06 Wangdue Tsechu Wangdue Phodrang
October 04–06 Gangte Drubchen & Tsechu Gangte, Wangdue Phodrang
October 06–08 Tamshingphala Choepa Bumthang
October 06–08 Gasa Tsechu District Gasa
October 06–08 Thimphu Tshechu Thimphu
October 10–12 Thangbi Mani Bumthang
November 01–05 Shingkhar Rabney Ura, Bumthang
November 03–06 Jakar Tsechu Jakar, Bumthang
November 10–14 Jambay Lakhang Drup Bumthang
November 11–13 Prakhar Duchoed Bumthang
November 12
does not move		 Black Necked Crane Festival Gangte, Wangdue Phodrang
November 22–25 Sumdrang Kangsol Ura, Bumthang
December 02–05 Trashigang Tsechu Trashigang
December 02–05 Mongar Tsechu Mongar
December 03–04 Tang Namkha Rabney Tang Bumthang
December 10 Singye Cham, Jambay Lhakhang Bumthang
December 10–12 Nalakhar Tsechu Bumthang
December 10–13 Chojam Rabney Tang Bumthang

In popular culture

The Bhutanese film Travellers and Magicians is set among a group of travellers, most of whom are going to the Thimphu tsechu.

References

  1. ^ a b Dancing on the demon's back: the dramnyen dance and song of Bhutan, by Elaine Dobson, John Blacking Symposium: Music Culture and Society, Callaway Centre, University of Western Australia, July 2003
  2. ^ Palin, pp. 269–270
  3. ^ "Festival Dates". Windhorse Tours, Treks & Expeditions online. http://www.windhorsetours.com/festivals/festival_dates.php?country=bhutan. Retrieved 2011-07-26.