Mr. Karma Wangdi demonstrates the Bon ritual ceremonies used to appease Nêpo, a local ghost or spirit who steals the life force of humans. The name Nêpo is Dakpa for 'guest'. He can be appeased by raising prayer flags using mugwort and offering wine. Also present were Gajay and Wangdi's grandchildren.

After a casual conversation, Mr. Karma Wangdi demonstrates the Bon ritual ceremonies used to appease Nêpo, a local ghost or spirit who steals the life force of humans. He appeases Nêpo, asking him to divert life's obstacles.

Mr. Karma Wangdi describes the Bon ritual ceremonies used to appease Tshong Tshongma, the most sacred mountain in Eastern Bhutan. It is accessible only for four months per year due to local customs and myths. At over 4000m, Tshong Tshongma is a very important deity, especially to the people in its vicinity. They appease Tshong Tshongma before making offerings to the other local deities by raising three flags, burning three units of incense, and offering wine. When someone is seriously ill near Tshong Tshongma, they may offer an ox.

'Arpo' is a generic term for the naked dance ritual practiced in Chema village, Trashiyangtse, Bhutan. Mr. Karma Wangdi is well-known for his efforts to sustain these rituals in Chema village. In this recording, he is concluding the dance with praise to the father, mother, son, and daughter, as well as the feast, the auspicious day, and to the people gathered for the dance ritual.

'Arpo' is a generic term for the naked dance ritual practiced in Chema village, Trashiyangtse, Bhutan. Mr. Karma Wangdi is well-known for his efforts to sustain these rituals in Chema village. In this recording, he is sings about the mythical king Ling, known as Gäser Gyelpo. Ling is travelling eastward to Hör, a mythical demonic kingdom.

'Arpo' is a generic term for the naked dance ritual practiced in Chema village, Trashiyangtse, Bhutan. Mr. Karma Wangdi is well-known for his efforts to sustain these rituals in Chema village. In this recording, he is asking the divine being again to fulfill his wishes: "May I have the best of everything?" The stanza is repeated before and after the sword dance.

'Arpo' is a generic term for the naked dance ritual practiced in Chema village, Trashiyangtse, Bhutan. Mr. Karma Wangdi is well-known for his efforts to sustain these rituals in Chema village. In this recording, he is asking the divine being to fulfill his wishes: "May I have the best of everything?"

'Arpo' is a generic term for the naked dance ritual practiced in Chema village, Trashiyangtse, Bhutan. Mr. Karma Wangdi is well-known for his efforts to sustain these rituals in Chema village. In this recording, he describes the warriors, male and female, who accompanied king Gäser Gyelpo. This recording was done in the early hours of the day during a light rainfall.

'Arpo' is a generic term for the naked dance ritual practiced in Chema village, Trashiyangtse, Bhutan. Mr. Karma Wangdi is well-known for his efforts to sustain these rituals in Chema village. In this recording, he performs the first stanza of naked dance which describes the origin of Arpo.

'Arpo' is a generic term for the naked dance ritual practiced in Chema village, Trashiyangtse, Bhutan. Mr. Karma Wangdi is well-known for his efforts to sustain these rituals in Chema village. In this recording, the seventh stage of the dance ritual, each dancer is introduced to the audience as the son of a warrior, Gämo, Lhamo (protector deity of Tibet and Bhutan), Sangda Rabgay of Lingkhar, and their journey toward the eastern direction towards Hör.

'Arpo' is a generic term for the naked dance ritual practiced in Chema village, Trashiyangtse, Bhutan. Mr. Karma Wangdi is well-known for his efforts to sustain these rituals in Chema village. In this recording, he is introducing the mythical king Khesar Gyelpo to the demonic king of Hör. He also asking the guardian king of Tshona to join.

'Arpo' is a generic term for the naked dance ritual practiced in Chema village, Trashiyangtse, Bhutan. Mr. Karma Wangdi is well-known for his efforts to sustain these rituals in Chema village. In this recording, the dancers praise the assembly of the monk at the monastery for their service and the serpent world for granting jewels.

'Arpo' is a generic term for the naked dance ritual practiced in Chema village, Trashiyangtse, Bhutan. Mr. Karma Wangdi is well-known for his efforts to sustain these rituals in Chema village. In this recording, he is invoking the deities and asking them to be his guidance.

'Arpo' is a generic term for the naked dance ritual practiced in Chema village, Trashiyangtse, Bhutan. Mr. Karma Wangdi is well-known for his efforts to sustain these rituals in Chema village. In this recording, he describes how the mythical king of Ling, originally from Lhasa, got married to Shäcang Dema of the Ling.

Mr. Karma Wangdi demonstrates astrology prediction and a ritual to heal from poisoning.

Mr. Karma Wangdi demonstrates astrology prediction on Gajay using rice, water, incense, and a rosary. When he dips rice into the water, if there is any spirit harming the patient, then the rice will be scattered at the edges of the bowl. If cursed, the rice will stand upward. He concludes that no spirits are harming Gajay; however, he recommends Gajay to offer appeasement wine to the local deity.

Bonism is a traditional form of worship involving rituals related to healing and the earth. Some Bon rituals are performed only by certain individuals (Bonpos). In this recording, Bonpo Karma Wangdi demonstrates a ritual appeasement of Mamo (also known as Lamringbu). His wife and extended family are present because they have not seen this ritual performed for the last 15 years. Mr. Wangdi is the last known Bonpo in Chema village in the Trashi Yangste District of Bhutan. He also belongs to the first generation of Dakpa speakers who started speaking Tshangla in their childhood.

Residents of Rolam village are cultivating this paddy in Mazhing, near Rolam village after a long absence of rain during the peak season of monsoon. Water for irrigation is allocated based on a lottery system. Conversations among the villagers and children can be heard in the background.

Recording of people carrying paddy seedlings to their respective paddy fields in Rolam village in the Trashi Yangtse District of Bhutan. There is a shortage of water, so it is distributed equally amongst the paddy fields based on a lottery system. For this reason, some paddy fields are left without water, while others have plenty of water for rice plantation.

Mrs. Humchung is one of the oldest people living in Thragom village. She describes how to prepare ponpo curry using lichen and demonstrates how to thoroughly wash the dirt from the lichen. She also shares memories of eating ponpo curry and collecting dry lichen while gathering firewood during childhood.

Mrs. Humchung is one of the oldest people living in Thragom village. She describes how to prepare ponpo curry with lichen, chili powder, garlic, black pepper, oil, and salt. After the lichen is thoroughly steamed and washed, the curry is ready in 5 minutes. She says the lichen can be directly consumed with chili paste (without steaming).

Mrs. Humchung is one of the oldest people living in Thragom village. She describes how to prepare ponpo curry using lichen, demonstrating the process of steaming the lichen with ash before cooking. She explains that people in Thragom village consume ponpo curry once a year to wash away any dirt or hair inside the body.

Mr. Lama Tshering is an annual ritual performer of Hunchung and other households in Thragom, Rinzentangpang, Bamchang, and Ranjung. He has been performing the ritual for past several years. The religious text that they are reciting is the appeasement of the main deities of the Gelugpa sects of Buddhism. Some of the deities they appease are Damchen Dorji Legpa and his retinue.

Chote Tshering and Lama Tshering, two respected lay monks, recite a prayer for Tshok (feast offering). Tshok offering is part of annual rituals in Thragom village. These offerings are made to Buddha, Bodhisattvas, tutelary deities, dharma protectors, the god of wealth, and deities to bring fortune, success, and a healthier life to the family. This recording was done in the evening after rainfall for half of the day.