As modern lifestyles reshape communities, some age-old traditions are at risk of disappearing. In Wangdue Phodrang, the annual Sha Festival is bringing these traditions back into the spotlight. The festival, which began today, showcases the district’s unique cultural heritage, promotes local products and aims to boost tourism.
One of the highlights is Sha-Gi-Locho, an age-old cultural ritual practised mainly in the upper regions of Wangdue Phodrang. Performed once every three years, the ritual is believed to ward off negative forces, overcome obstacles and promote peace and harmony.
The festival also features the Olep Dance, a newly composed song and dance created by the people of Rukha Chiwog in their native Olep dialect. With only a few people still speaking the language, the community hopes to preserve it through music and dance.
Kuenga from Rukha Chiwog, Athang Gewog, says many words in the Olep dialect are no longer in use. He composed a song about the different parts of the human body, using traditional words he recalled from the dialect, before teaching it to his friends.
“Through such programmes organised by the district administration, with support from the gewog administration, I hope we can revive and preserve our disappearing dialect,” he says.
The festival also features Sha-Gi-Moley, a traditional local beauty contest, and Sha-Gi-Dachham, a distinctive archery dance.
Beyond cultural performances, the festival provides a platform for communities to showcase local food, handicrafts and agricultural products. These include millet flour and smoked fish, a speciality traditionally produced by the people of Athang Gewog.
Kuenga, Gup of Daga Gewog, says the festival encourages people to engage in agricultural activities, promote local products and generate income.
The festival also aims to attract more visitors to Bajo town, which is often treated as a stopover by travellers heading to eastern Bhutan.
Dechen Wangmo, Planning Officer in Wangdue Phodrang, says the festival is expected to help local businesses benefit more from tourism by encouraging domestic and international visitors to spend time in Bajo.
However, public turnout has been low, with some attributing it to the timing of the festival, which coincides with the peak agricultural season.
Kinley Dendup, Mangmi of Phangyul Gewog, says many people are busy harvesting crops and cannot attend the festival. He suggests reconsidering the timing to allow greater public participation.
Tomorrow, a 75-kilometre Dragon Fury cycling race will be held from Changlimithang in Thimphu to Bajo town in collaboration with the Department of Tourism.
Through its cultural performances and display of local products, the Sha Festival aims to preserve Wangdue Phodrang’s heritage while creating economic opportunities for its communities.
Changa Dorji, Wangdue Phodrang
Edited by Sonam Pem
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