Description of millet plantation, part 1

Mrs. Humchung is one of the oldest people living in Thragom village. She describes the process of millet plantation. Firstly, they planted seedlings of millet, and after a few weeks, they made the soil loose. She says they practiced the labor exchange program, where they didn’t make cash payments to workers. During the break, they are offered fermented wine in an ox horn. Before millet plantation, they would get goats from Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh, India, and use the manure as fertilizer. She says that millet was planted before the arrival of the magpie, and that planting millet after the arrival of the magpie was considered late and generally wouldn’t have a good yield.
Date: July 20, 2022
Creator: Tshewang, Tashi
Object Type: Video
System: The UNT Digital Library

Description of millet plantation, part 2

Mrs. Humchung is one of the oldest people living in Thragom village. She describes the process of millet plantation, saying there are two ways to plant millet. One is planted before the magpie departs, and another is planted when the magnolia flower blossoms. The latter one is not transplanted. In the past, when people forgot to plant seedlings before the arrival of the magpie, they would make the sound of the magpie and plant the millet when the magpie leaves instead.
Date: July 20, 2022
Creator: Tshewang, Tashi
Object Type: Video
System: The UNT Digital Library

Historical narrative about the Sero family

Mrs. Humchung is one of the oldest people living in Thragom village. She describes the lineage of Sero which originated in Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh, India. She says Mr. Damba Tashi is first among the holders of the golden lineage of Sero. As a mark of respect to him, his descendants keep a long ponytail, even if they shave. She says the lineage started when Damba Tashi married the princess of the serpent world. Mrs. Humchung says she came to know about these stories through marriage to Damba Tashi’s descendants.
Date: July 20, 2022
Creator: Tshewang, Tashi
Object Type: Video
System: The UNT Digital Library

Historical narrative about the Thragom Tshokhang

Mrs. Humchung is one of the oldest people living in Thragom village. She describes the Thragom Tshokhang which no longer exists today. She says it was built by three grandsons of Abi Lhaden. She explains that it was demolished to build Thragom Primary School.
Date: July 20, 2022
Creator: Tshewang, Tashi
Object Type: Video
System: The UNT Digital Library

Personal narrative about a pilgrimage to Tawang, part 1

Mrs. Humchung is one of the oldest people living in Thragom village. She describes an annual pilgrimage to Tawang, saying this was most celebrated among the older generation of Dakpa in Thragom, Bamchang, Rinzentangpang, Dukti, and Namdhi villages. The event was seen as a way to connect back with relatives across the India-Bhutan border. They usually went to witness Tawang Torgya, a three days mask dance festival. It took around three days by foot to reach Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh, India when road links were not yet there across the border.
Date: July 20, 2022
Creator: Tshewang, Tashi
Object Type: Video
System: The UNT Digital Library

Personal narrative about a pilgrimage to Tawang, part 2

Mrs. Humchung is one of the oldest people living in Thragom village. She describes when she went to see His Holiness Dalai Lama in the 1980s. The says that, during that visit, she, her husband, and fellow villagers spent around one month waiting for His Holiness Dalai Lama. They were hosted by a relative of her husband. She also went into the field to help her host with farming, collecting firewood, making alcohol, and constructing the house. She explains that, that this time, it was common for relatives in these two countries to host each other for these visits.
Date: July 20, 2022
Creator: Tshewang, Tashi
Object Type: Video
System: The UNT Digital Library

Description of millet preparation

Mrs. Humchung is one of the oldest people living in Thragom village. She describes how to prepare and consume millet and demonstrates how to improve the taste of the millet by stirring with the ladle. She recommends having this meal along with hot chili paste.
Date: June 22, 2022
Creator: Tshewang, Tashi
Object Type: Video
System: The UNT Digital Library

Description of ponpo curry, part 1

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.
Date: June 16, 2022
Creator: Tshewang, Tashi
Object Type: Sound
System: The UNT Digital Library

Description of ponpo curry, part 1

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.
Date: June 16, 2022
Creator: Tshewang, Tashi
Object Type: Video
System: The UNT Digital Library

Description of ponpo curry, part 2

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.
Date: June 16, 2022
Creator: Tshewang, Tashi
Object Type: Sound
System: The UNT Digital Library

Description of ponpo curry, part 2

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.
Date: June 16, 2022
Creator: Tshewang, Tashi
Object Type: Video
System: The UNT Digital Library

Description of ponpo curry, part 3

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).
Date: June 16, 2022
Creator: Tshewang, Tashi
Object Type: Sound
System: The UNT Digital Library

Description of ponpo curry, part 3

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).
Date: June 16, 2022
Creator: Tshewang, Tashi
Object Type: Video
System: The UNT Digital Library

Description of Shang Nelap mushroom

Mrs. Humchung is one of the oldest people living in Thragom village. She describes how to prepare and consume Shang Nelap (tree’s ear) mushrooms. The process of making this mushroom is similar to that of lichen. First, the mushroom is steamed in ash and washed thoroughly. Then it is prepared with chili paste. She says that, like lichen, one can eat mushrooms from any tree except the Magnolia tree.
Date: June 16, 2022
Creator: Tshewang, Tashi
Object Type: Video
System: The UNT Digital Library

Conversation about ritual cakes

Chote Tshering and Lama Tshering, two respected lay monks, discuss the ritual cake for the annual ritual of Mrs. Humchung. This ritual cake symbolizes the Lama (teacher), Yidam (tutelary deity), Chösung (religious protector), family deities, and the wrathful form of peaceful Buddha. They are also talking about the origin and meaning of these ritual cakes.
Date: June 11, 2022
Creator: Tshewang, Tashi
Object Type: Video
System: The UNT Digital Library

Performance of annual Hunchung rituals

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.
Date: June 11, 2022
Creator: Tshewang, Tashi
Object Type: Video
System: The UNT Digital Library

Performance of annual Tshok rituals

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.
Date: June 11, 2022
Creator: Tshewang, Tashi
Object Type: Video
System: The UNT Digital Library

Conversation about Bön and Buddhism

Cheten Tshering and Lama Tshering discuss how Bön considers Guru Rinpoche, using informal language when talking about him. They discuss why eggs are offered in Bön, why pork is forbidden, and the instruments used in Bön traditions. They say that, to fulfill wishes, it is best to pay homage, but for ultimate enlightenment, one must practice Buddhism.
Date: June 10, 2022
Creator: Tshewang, Tashi
Object Type: Sound
System: The UNT Digital Library

Conversation about Kha Bön rituals

Lama Tshering and Chote Tshering discuss the recent increase in the practice of Kha Bön, where people are appeasing the malicious spirit without formal training. They are seen offering flour mixed with meat, fermented sometimes without meat, and fermented wine to appease spirits that affect us. They say some even perform Bön Nag, where animal sacrifices are required.
Date: June 10, 2022
Creator: Tshewang, Tashi
Object Type: Sound
System: The UNT Digital Library

Conversation about Kharam rituals

Chote Tshering and Lama Tshering, two respected lay monks, discuss Kharam, a curse associated with gossip, and rituals performed to ward off the curse. They say the Kharam ritual in Bön is quite amazing. They build a Kharam Shang (a wooden target made of Rhus Chinensis). They will place that target inside the house and shoot the arrow into it.
Date: June 10, 2022
Creator: Tshewang, Tashi
Object Type: Sound
System: The UNT Digital Library

Description and demonstration of Kharam rituals

Lama Tshering and Chote Tshering discuss Kharam, a curse associated with gossip, and rituals performed to ward off the curse. It is considered dangerous to one's health. In Bönism, a lead master will mold a ritual cake and perform a ritual ceremony to ward off these spirits. He will slice the cake and foretell the ritual ceremonies that need to be performed.
Date: June 10, 2022
Creator: Tshewang, Tashi
Object Type: Sound
System: The UNT Digital Library

Description of Bön rituals and foods

Lama Tshering and Chote Tshering discuss how eggs are offered in the Bön ritual to symbolize the heart of a head of the family (usually the mother). In the Bön ritual, garlic, pork, and spring onion are forbidden. They say Shergain Mewang is the wrathful form, whereas Sherab Mebar is the peaceful form. If the people practicing Bön have a sudden sickness, then they offer a butter lamp and cash as an offering to him to recover instantly.
Date: June 10, 2022
Creator: Tshewang, Tashi
Object Type: Sound
System: The UNT Digital Library

Description of crops in Thragom village

Mrs. Humchung is one of the oldest people living in Thragom village. She describes growing corn and other crops in Thragom village, explaining that corn was the staple diet in Thragom historically. In the past, they would plant during the month of April and harvest during late October to early November. They also plant soybeans, pumpkin, and cucumbers in the maize field. She says that monkeys are the main animals that destroy corn and other crops.
Date: June 8, 2022
Creator: Tshewang, Tashi
Object Type: Sound
System: The UNT Digital Library

Description of Dakpa riddles

Mrs. Humchung is one of the oldest people living in Thragom village. She says riddles were part of every mother's teaching to support children's thought processes and to teach them about common mistakes.
Date: June 8, 2022
Creator: Tshewang, Tashi
Object Type: Sound
System: The UNT Digital Library