Conversation about animal sacrifice rituals

Tashi Dorji and Dorji Phuntsho discuss rituals involving animal sacrifice in Dukti village. In the past, it was customary for every household to raise a pig to be killed for ritual purposes. They say that now, over a decade later, they have stopped raising pigs for sacrifice. Time-aligned translation into English.
Date: 2022-05/2023-06
Creator: Tshewang, Tashi
Object Type: Dataset
System: The UNT Digital Library

Conversation about animal sacrifice rituals

Tashi Dorji and Dorji Phuntsho discuss rituals involving animal sacrifice in Dukti village. In the past, it was customary for every household to raise a pig to be killed for ritual purposes. They say that now, over a decade later, they have stopped raising pigs for sacrifice.
Date: May 21, 2022
Creator: Tshewang, Tashi
Object Type: Sound
System: The UNT Digital Library

Conversation about animal sacrifice rituals

Tashi Dorji and Dorji Phuntsho discuss rituals involving animal sacrifice in Dukti village. In the past, it was customary for every household to raise a pig to be killed for ritual purposes. They say that now, over a decade later, they have stopped raising pigs for sacrifice. Time-aligned translation into English.
Date: 2022-05/2023-06
Creator: Tshewang, Tashi
Object Type: Dataset
System: The UNT Digital Library

Conversation about animal sacrifice rituals

Tashi Dorji and Dorji Phuntsho discuss rituals involving animal sacrifice in Dukti village. In the past, it was customary for every household to raise a pig to be killed for ritual purposes. They say that now, over a decade later, they have stopped raising pigs for sacrifice.
Date: May 21, 2022
Creator: Tshewang, Tashi
Object Type: Video
System: The UNT Digital Library

Conversation about annual feast offerings, part 1

Conversation about the annual feast offering, started around 50 years ago. They discuss how the community shares the work responsibly, applies tax, lends money, calculates the interest, and returns utensils after the feast offering is completed. They keep track of the funds generated through the lending of money. They discuss how much cash was used for the current feast offering, and what amount was paid as remuneration to each monk.
Date: May 26, 2022
Creator: Tshewang, Tashi
Object Type: Sound
System: The UNT Digital Library

Conversation about annual feast offerings, part 2

Conversation about the annual feast offering, started around 50 years ago. They discuss how the community shares the duties of organizing, preparing, and funding the annual feast. They describe how the practice of Zhakchang, where people gather to finish the leftover wine from ritual ceremonies, was a common feature of any ritual. Zhakchang also gives an opportunity to those households who couldn’t come to the ritual. It is an avenue where a missed opportunity for one neighbor to take part in a neighbor's ritual ceremonies. In this recording, each sponsor discusses who is going to be the leader in the next feast offering, and how cash and extra rations should be used.
Date: May 26, 2022
Creator: Tshewang, Tashi
Object Type: Sound
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 buying fish

Dipok Kumar Doley asks the prices of mougli, borali, and na:réng fish at the market. The vendors list the prices and say the fish came from Gali.
Date: October 16, 2022
Creator: Doley, Normoda
Object Type: Video
System: The UNT Digital Library

Conversation about continuing traditional festivals, part 1

Chorten Tshering and Koncho Tshering discuss their concerns about how the annual feast offerings will be carried out by the upcoming generation. They say that, with much hardship, their parents were able to start the community feast offering. In the past, local customary taxes were levied upon the households to conduct feasts, and used as seed money for the following years. Still today, these feasts are funded by this seed money.
Date: May 26, 2022
Creator: Tshewang, Tashi
Object Type: Video
System: The UNT Digital Library

Conversation about continuing traditional festivals, part 2

Chorten Tshering and Koncho Tshering discuss their concerns about how the annual feast offerings will be carried out by the upcoming generation. Chorten Tshering says that, in his view, those children born in villages are more likely to continue than children born in towns. He thinks that children born in villages have a strong connection with the village's customs, are easier to mingle with, and will more easily adapt to difficult situations. He is worried that, in the future, future generations may not carry forward the local customs and traditions.
Date: May 26, 2022
Creator: Tshewang, Tashi
Object Type: Video
System: The UNT Digital Library

Conversation about Dukti Lhakhang

Dorji and Tashi Dorji, residents of Dukti village, discuss the history of the Dukti Lhakhang. A lhakhang is a religious structure used for housing sacred objects and performing rituals, often built in a geographically or spiritually significant location. This site was originally known as Dukti Tsebrang because it was too small to be called a lhakhang. They explain that the statue of Buddha, mural painting on the wall, and giant pillars were all added during the renovation. The head carpenter was Tshong Tshongma Lopen; he was guided by another carpenter Namgay Tshering. At that time, there were only twelve households in Dukti village. They collectively sponsored the construction.
Date: May 24, 2022
Creator: Tshewang, Tashi
Object Type: Sound
System: The UNT Digital Library

Conversation about Jomo rituals

Dorji and Tashi Dorji, residents of Dukti village, discuss rituals related to the Jomo. They explain that, before the Jomo enters into a trance, she wears a five crown cap and has fruits and other foods as her feast offering. Then, the Jomo starts her ritual. It is believed that, wherever the Jomo takes her next birth, she will be born into a rich family.
Date: May 24, 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

Conversation about Ladam rituals in Dukti village

Tashi Dorji and Dorji Phuntsho discuss the different rituals performed in Dukti village related to Ladam involving restricting both locals and outsiders from visiting the mountain Tshong Tshongma between plantation and harvesting of crops. The entry to Tshong Tshongma closes on the 10th day of the third month of the Tibetan calendar. If someone does enter this area during the restricted months, it brings heavy rain, winds, and landslides to the area. Time-aligned translation into English.
Date: 2022-05/2023-06
Creator: Tshewang, Tashi
Object Type: Dataset
System: The UNT Digital Library

Conversation about Ladam rituals in Dukti village

Tashi Dorji and Dorji Phuntsho discuss the different rituals performed in Dukti village related to Ladam involving restricting both locals and outsiders from visiting the mountain Tshong Tshongma between plantation and harvesting of crops. The entry to Tshong Tshongma closes on the 10th day of the third month of the Tibetan calendar. If someone does enter this area during the restricted months, it brings heavy rain, winds, and landslides to the area. Time-aligned translation into English.
Date: 2022-05/2023-06
Creator: Tshewang, Tashi
Object Type: Dataset
System: The UNT Digital Library

Conversation about Ladam rituals in Dukti village

Tashi Dorji and Dorji Phuntsho discuss the different rituals performed in Dukti village related to Ladam involving restricting both locals and outsiders from visiting the mountain Tshong Tshongma between plantation and harvesting of crops. The entry to Tshong Tshongma closes on the 10th day of the third month of the Tibetan calendar. If someone does enter this area during the restricted months, it brings heavy rain, winds, and landslides to the area.
Date: May 21, 2022
Creator: Tshewang, Tashi
Object Type: Sound
System: The UNT Digital Library

Conversation about Ladam rituals in Dukti village

Tashi Dorji and Dorji Phuntsho discuss the different rituals performed in Dukti village related to Ladam involving restricting both locals and outsiders from visiting the mountain Tshong Tshongma between plantation and harvesting of crops. The entry to Tshong Tshongma closes on the 10th day of the third month of the Tibetan calendar. If someone does enter this area during the restricted months, it brings heavy rain, winds, and landslides to the area.
Date: May 21, 2022
Creator: Tshewang, Tashi
Object Type: Video
System: The UNT Digital Library

Conversation about Mising traditions

Dipok Kumar Doley and Bidyeswar Doley discuss childhood living in a chang ghar, a bamboo house built on a raised platform made of thick bamboo. Dipok Kumar Doley says traditional dishes were not fried; green leafy vegetables such as takuk, ombé, onger, pakkom, gurban, mírné koːtuk, takpiyang, beso-beyo, oti oying with fish, deer or pork were boiled. He describes traditional health practices; during pregnancy and after delivery, green leafy vegetables such as rukji and marsang, along with black pepper and local chicken boiled as a stew, and rice beer are given as remedies for the mother. They describe celebrations for weddings and births and local festivals like Ali-aːyé-lígang, held on the first Wednesday of February, where the Misings pray for a better harvest the following year, health, and wealth and eat purang, apong, and oying. Dr. Bidyeswar says that family members of all ages would participate in the prayers and activities, but now this is rarely seen. Dipok Kumar Doley urges youngsters to stay alert and to take proper care of the Mising language, culture, and clothing or else they will become extinct.
Date: October 19, 2022
Creator: Doley, Normoda
Object Type: Sound
System: The UNT Digital Library

Conversation about Mising traditions, part 1

Dipok Kumar Doley and Bidyeswar Doley discuss childhood living in a chang ghar, a bamboo house built on a raised platform made of thick bamboo. Dipok Kumar Doley says traditional dishes were not fried; green leafy vegetables such as takuk, ombé, onger, pakkom, gurban, mírné koːtuk, takpiyang, beso-beyo, oti oying with fish, deer or pork were boiled. He describes traditional health practices; during pregnancy and after delivery, green leafy vegetables such as rukji and marsang, along with black pepper and local chicken boiled as a stew, and rice beer are given as remedies for the mother. They describe local festivals like Ali-aːyé-lígang, held on the first Wednesday of February, and celebrations for weddings and births.
Date: October 19, 2022
Creator: Doley, Normoda
Object Type: Video
System: The UNT Digital Library

Conversation about Mising traditions, part 2

Dipok Kumar Doley and Bidyeswar Doley discuss local festivals in the Mising community, starting with Ali-aːyé-lígang, held on the first Wednesday of February. The Mising pray to Donyi-Poːlo (Sun and Moon), Karsíng, Kartak, Doːmup-Doːyar, Ésar (Wind), Podong (Rain), and Tapum-Tari (insects) for a better harvest the following year, health, and wealth. They eat purang, apong, and oying. Dr. Bidyeswar says that family members of all ages would participate in the prayers and activities, but now this is rarely seen. Similarly, Bihu celebrations are less prominent in recent years. Dipok Kumar Doley urges youngsters to stay alert and to take proper care of the Mising language, culture, and clothing or else they will become extinct.
Date: October 19, 2022
Creator: Doley, Normoda
Object Type: Video
System: The UNT Digital Library

Conversation about planting rice paddies

Conversation between Lama Wangmo, Chador, and Tshangpa while uprooting paddy seedlings. They say these seeds must be planted for two to three months before being transplanted. Lama Wangmo says that, this year, she was a little late, hence these seedlings are not that good.
Date: May 31, 2022
Creator: Tshewang, Tashi
Object Type: Video
System: The UNT Digital Library

Conversation about rice cultivation and harvest

Menoka, Monji, and Purnima discuss their paddy fields, chores, dishes they are preparing, and what they plan to buy at the market. The older women describe changes in crops and food over time, expressing concern about the climate, overall crop yield and quality, and the youth's general lack of knowledge of traditional agricultural practices.
Date: October 15, 2022
Creator: Doley, Normoda
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