Songs and Traditions from Laya
| Created: | 2016-01-27 18:41 |
|---|---|
| Institution: | Department of Archaeology and Anthropology |
| Description: | In 1999 and 2000, staff of the Jigme Dorji National Park spent 6 months working alongside the yak herding community in Laya. The main outcome was an Integrated Conservation and Development Plan for Laya geog, prepared jointly with the local people.
The following recordings were made during this time. They cover some of the most important religious and cultural events in the Laya calendar as well as songs that accompany the deceptively simple line and circle dances. Others songs would be sung by individuals or groups when harvesting barley or tending yaks. To give an origin to the songs would be misleading since most of them have been travelling between Laya, western Bhutan and Tibet for many years. The songs were recorded by Roy Cameron and edited by Neten Dorji of the Bhutan Broadcasting Service. With thanks to the people of Laya whose spirit and humour we have tried to convey |
Media items
This collection contains 18 media items.
Media items
01. Chhu mo Ding sho
Voice: Damchoe of Tongra village
Nearby where the rushing water flows there will be cute fish/ And just as the flowers are loved by the bees/ And as the snow falls on the...
Collection: Songs and Traditions from Laya
Institution: Department of Archaeology and Anthropology
Created: Thu 4 Feb 2016
02. Fagi Pangsho Den mi nang na
Voice: Lhamo of Lubcha village
Far away from here there is a flower blooming/ But I may not go and pluck this flower/ Whoever can pluck this flower please give it to the one I...
Collection: Songs and Traditions from Laya
Institution: Department of Archaeology and Anthropology
Created: Thu 4 Feb 2016
03. Phari yo
Voice: Passang Dorji of Lubcha village
There are numerous flowers up on the hillside/ But only the red one brings pleasure to his eyes/ There are numerous girls in the flower...
Collection: Songs and Traditions from Laya
Institution: Department of Archaeology and Anthropology
Created: Thu 4 Feb 2016
04. Tari yo Shoku ya la ja
Voice: Lhamo of Lubcha village
The place of Tibet is the glorious home for Tibetans/ The Tibetan people want to sing about the great Dalai Lama.
Collection: Songs and Traditions from Laya
Institution: Department of Archaeology and Anthropology
Created: Thu 4 Feb 2016
05. Omlea Sang re la
Voice: Damchoe of Tongra village
A religious song about rebirth. Damchoe says he often sang this as a boy when yak herding.It is best to be reborn as a human in a very religious...
Collection: Songs and Traditions from Laya
Institution: Department of Archaeology and Anthropology
Created: Thu 4 Feb 2016
06. Nga zo ja lu do ma num ngyong
Voices: Lhamo and Passang Dorji of Lubcha village
Though I have never been to India/ I know the culture and traditions of India/ In India they always wear shoes/ Though I have...
Collection: Songs and Traditions from Laya
Institution: Department of Archaeology and Anthropology
Created: Thu 4 Feb 2016
07. Thrung Thrung Karmo
Voice: Passang Dorji of Lubcha village
This song reflects on a moment of calm and tranquillity as one bird sits quietly in a tree whilst a black-necked crane circles overhead. If...
Collection: Songs and Traditions from Laya
Institution: Department of Archaeology and Anthropology
Created: Thu 4 Feb 2016
08. Saja na Norbu rigi pha ja na
Voice: Damchoe of Tongra village
When the Lama stays in the temple then the religion flourishes/ When the King stays in the Dzong there is happiness for the people/ When the...
Collection: Songs and Traditions from Laya
Institution: Department of Archaeology and Anthropology
Created: Thu 4 Feb 2016
09. Yala ayley Sang re la
Voices: Lhamo, Passang Dorji and Sonam Penjor
A song recounting a merchants life. During his many journeys he always encounters many obstacles. When he crosses rivers he is...
Collection: Songs and Traditions from Laya
Institution: Department of Archaeology and Anthropology
Created: Thu 4 Feb 2016
10. Laya Bumkhosa Festival
One of the most important festivals in Laya is the Laya Bumkhosa, or Bongkor. It takes place in the 5th month of the Bhutanese lunar calendar (around June). Buddhist scriptures...
Collection: Songs and Traditions from Laya
Institution: Department of Archaeology and Anthropology
Created: Thu 4 Feb 2016
11. Prayers and Offerings
The third and fourth days of the Laya Bumkhosa are celebrated with a grand archery match between the two halves of Laya, the eastern and the western ends. Until recently the match...
Collection: Songs and Traditions from Laya
Institution: Department of Archaeology and Anthropology
Created: Fri 5 Feb 2016
12. Metho Shaypa phelwa (part)
A line dance and song performed at the archery target. Somehow the whole community becomes involved in the archery match played out during the Laya Bumkhosa. The score is close at...
Collection: Songs and Traditions from Laya
Institution: Department of Archaeology and Anthropology
Created: Fri 5 Feb 2016
13. Namkha tringmi Dongpa Samray Gaa
A line dance and song at the archery target. The happiest moments are when the sky is full of cloud, yet the sun also shines brightly.
Collection: Songs and Traditions from Laya
Institution: Department of Archaeology and Anthropology
Created: Fri 5 Feb 2016
14. Nangla Zangpo
Line dance and song at the Lubcha end. The best place for pilgrimage is in Lhasa at the palace of the Buddha Sakyamuni/ Everything is offered to the god: the holy water, the...
Collection: Songs and Traditions from Laya
Institution: Department of Archaeology and Anthropology
Created: Fri 5 Feb 2016
15. Zamling Zaypi metho
A circle dance to a Layap love song. During this song the opposing team arrives at the other end of the archery ground (distant singing). A beautiful flower grows in the garden/...
Collection: Songs and Traditions from Laya
Institution: Department of Archaeology and Anthropology
Created: Fri 5 Feb 2016
16. Shacho Gongtulamo
Circle dance and song at the archery ground. The song is used by Lamas as an aid to meditation. Holding the dorji in the right hand and a bell in the left hand/ Praying for peace...
Collection: Songs and Traditions from Laya
Institution: Department of Archaeology and Anthropology
Created: Fri 5 Feb 2016
17. Excitement at the target
For a few days the valley resounds to the shrieks and howls of the victorious archers.
Collection: Songs and Traditions from Laya
Institution: Department of Archaeology and Anthropology
Created: Sun 14 Feb 2016
18. Aulay
Voice: Damchoe of Tongra village
On the 15th day of the 9th month of the Bhutanese lunar calendar (around October) the community holds a special festival called Aulay. It is held...
Collection: Songs and Traditions from Laya
Institution: Department of Archaeology and Anthropology
Created: Sun 14 Feb 2016