Bhuwa Naach: The war dance from the far west
The locals in Doti district are working
towards preserving the dance and rituals observed during Bhuwo Parwa, a
festival they believe is centuries old.
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https://tkpo.st/33JuuuX
Mohan
Shahi
Published
at : December 4, 2019
Updated at
: December 4, 2019 07:44
Doti
The atmosphere of Lekthanta village in Dipayal Silgadhi
Municipality in Doti district is filled with excitement. Men adorned in
traditional white costumes, called ‘jhakulo’ in the native tongue, approach
Kaladunga Bhagwati temple. Behind them are groups of women clad in red and
young boys and girls, all dressed up for the festivities.
In the temple premises, the white costumed men with swords and
shields on their hands, start the procession of Bhuwa Naach, a traditional
dance form. Facing the deity inside the temple, the men take choreographed
steps as they wave their swords in the air. For the next few hours, the group
perform various steps in order to appease the goddess. The crowd gathered
around them watch in awe.
“Bhuwo Parwa is native to the hilly areas of far-western
region,” says Deepak Bhandari, a local of Lekthanta. “But the festivities and
rituals differ from one village to another.”
Tikha, Gholtada, Bagthanta, Lekthanta, Daud, Sanagaun, Kalena,
Khirsain areas of Doti district celebrate Bhuwa Naach. Ward chair of Silgadhi
Municipality Madan Bhandari shares that there is a general belief that if the
dance does not take place, the locals will have to face negative consequences.
Although the festival’s provenance is unknown, it takes place
after the harvest season, the time when the villagers are free from their
agricultural chores. The preparations for the processions begin a month ahead.
“Bhuwa Naach is believed to be associated with war,” says
historian Badri Sharma Binadi. “It is believed to be some sort of a war dance.”
Many also believe that the dance form replicates the military exercise
from the time of the Baise-Chaubisey Rajya, when Nepal was divided into many
princely states.
Bhuwa Naach is also taken as a celebration to spread goodwill
among different ethnic groups residing in the region. People from Aauji
community play instruments, to which, the members of the Chettri community,
clad in traditional wear, dance to the procession.
“Originally 16 instruments were played for Bhuwa Naach but now
we have only been using five,” says Tike Aauji, who has been part of the
instrumental group for a decade.
The locals, who once feared that the dance would be extinct in a
few years, have now found hope, as even young boys and girls have started to
take part and enjoy the festival.
“Earlier, only the older people were aware of the history and
culture of Doti,” says Narendra Khadka, a local from Purwa Chauki Rural
Municipality. “Now, the younger generation is also interested to learn about
their culture and heritage.”
Apart from Bhuwa Naach, there are other rituals observed during
the festival. The festivities, which can last from a week to a month, depending
on different villages, ends after the wood, chopped on the first day of the
festival, is burnt.
During the time of the festivities, men and women play Deuda,
another popular traditional dance native to the far-western region.
"Some villagers have also started hiring professional Deuda
dancers for the Bhuwo Parwa," says Ramesh Bhandari, another local of
Lekthanta.
Lekthanta villagers have been paying up to Rs40,000 to Deuda
performers from Achham.
"They add a lot of colour to the festival,” says Bhandari.
To ensure that the festival survives for long, the villagers of
Lekthanta have also started inviting locals from nearby villages to take part
in the festivities.
