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 principally for the health and protection of the yak herds. This song (only part of it on the CD) is the central song that accompanies the Aulay rituals. Much of the song tells about the history of Laya and gives some clues about the significance of the women’s jewellery, clothing and their very distinctive hat.
For a few days the valley resounds to the shrieks and howls of the victorious archers.
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 and for the living.
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/ It is always in bloom when we see it/ The beauty of things lies in our own eyes.
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 butter lamps and the flowers/ The second place for pilgrimage is in Bhutan where flourishes the doctrine Dharma of the Zhabdrung.
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.
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 the start of the second day and the songs, dances and good luck ceremonies are performed in earnest. If the correct rituals and offerings are made to the local deities then victory is assured. The first flower is offered up to the heavens for god’s blessing and for the well-being of people on earth/ The second flower is offered to the earth for peace/ The third flower is offered to the hills to bring wealth.
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 was always between the Nobs (families that owned yak) and the Sekops (families without yak). Now most families own yak.
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 and the local texts are strapped to the backs of young men and boys who join a long procession of religious leaders, monks, dancers and young girls. The procession goes around the perimeter of Laya stopping at households on the way. The purpose of the ritual is to prevent sickness, encourage good crops and protect the yak from predators such as bear and snow leopard.
Voices: Lhamo, Passang Dorji and Sonam Penjor A song recounting a merchant’s life. During his many journeys he always encounters many obstacles. When he crosses rivers he is reminded of his family. Snow covered mountains and passes remind him of his father. The stars remind him of his brothers and sisters. What he wants most is to reach his final destination. To reach home again.
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 parents are in the house then wealth will come to it/ When there are girls and boys in the village there will be co-operation between people.
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 the world cannot be peaceful then why was it made?
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 never been to Tibet/ In Tibet they lock their doors/ Though I have never been to Bhutan/ In Bhutan they use the plough and the yoke/ Though I have never been to town/ In the town they wear the sethra and mathra.
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 place/ If reborn as a deer, then may it be where there are no predators/ If reborn as a fish, then may it be in a big ocean/ If reborn as a son, then may it be on a mother’s lap
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.
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 garden/ But only the girl he loves can bring him pleasure.
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 love/ Or offer it to the gods/ My dear love please do not go far away/ But if you must go then be faithful to me.
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 mountain/ We are the same/ Just as boys love the girls.