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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Tashi Dorji describes rituals performed in Dukti village including Nyungne (also called Dawa Dangpa or Dawa Chüngepa), Bazer Guru, Sumpa Soeldap, Torma Bum, and ’Nagapa Trenda. He explains that Sumpa Soeldap was initiated in consultation with Tshong Tshongma Lopen after famine and snakes came into Dukti village. He also describes the naked dance and the present ‘Nyungne Rinpoche’s past life.

Tashi Dorji decscribes cultural changes he has observed over time. For example, in his youth, he saw elders carrying rice, vegetable, maize, and wine in bamboo baskets; today, the bamboo is replaced by sacks, water bottles, and other utensils. He describes how dancers move from one house to another while a caretaker of Lakhang follows and requests donations from the villagers to have a feast for the dancers.

Tashi Dorji describes the naked dance ritual, its history, and related rituals. When there was no fund for consecration of Dukti Lakhang, Tshong Tshongma Lopen devised the culture of Naked dance. Historically, all the meals take part in this naked dance on the 9th day of the 5th month of the Tibetan calendar, to collect donations from the community. On the 10th day (Tshechi), the Tshechu takes place. Sangay Tshering, a researcher of Bhutan Oral Literature Project, was also present. Recorded in the evening after a rainy day.

Tashi Dorji describes the rituals related to Drukpa Tshezhi, the fourth month of the Buddhist calendar. This is considered the most auspicious month in the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan because it is when Buddha first turns the wheel of Dharma. To celebrate the occasion, the village comes together to recite the Buddhist scriptures and perform other rituals.

Tashi Dorji discusses the history of the Dukti Pema Choling Lhakhang. A lhakhang is a religious structure used for housing sacred objects and performing rituals, often built in a geographically or spiritually significant location. The Dukti Pema Choling Lhakhang was built by Tshong Tshongma Lopen. It was historically known as Dukti Tashi Choling Lhakhang. The name was changed to avoid confusion with another Lhakhang named Tashi Choling (also called Namthî Lhakhang) in the same dzongkha (district).

Tashi Dorji discusses the history of the Dukti village and migration. Tashi Dorji speaks Tshangla and Dzongkha as well as Dakpa. His grandmother migrated from Kurtöp Tongzhang in the Lhuntse District. He says the majority of Dukti village residents (Duktipa) are historically Dakpa, and notes similarities in festivals, rituals, and farming practices with Dakpa communities in the Trashi Yangste District such as Yalang Gewog.

Tashi Dorji discusses the history of the Dukti Pema Choling Lhakhang. A lhakhang is a religious structure used for housing sacred objects and performing rituals, often built in a geographically or spiritually significant location. There is no record of when it was originally built; Tshong Tshongma Lopen renovated it when there were only 12 households in Dukti village. It took Lopen around three years to complete the renovation. Now, the Dukti Pema Choling Lhakkhang houses relics, including 16 sets of Buddhist chronicle given by the Throngpa community.

Tashi Dorji introduces himself and describes a childhood accident where he lost his mother, brother, and family home to a major fire. Somehow, Tashi survived. After this, he became known as 'Kon Tshering' in the village because 'Kon' means a rare thing or substance.

Tashi Dorji describes how residents of Dukti village appease the local deities for taking care of their crops when the mountain roads are closed for four months every year. During this time, they offer feasts and fermented wine to the local deities once a month. He explans that the wine for the appeasement and Tshok for the deity is collected as a community tax. Recorded at Dukti Gup Sonam's house in Dukti village.

Tashi Dorji describes a pilgrimage to Tshong Tshongma and the surrounding area. Tshong Tshongma is a sacred mountain and a local deity in Eastern Bhutan. Over 4000 meters in elevation, it is accessible only four months per year due to local customs. He states that Tshong Tshongma is king amongst the worldly deities, wrathful in nature. He describes landmarks seen on the way to Tshong Tshongma, including a rock symbolizing the riding horse of Tshong Tshongma Lopen, Buddhist scriptures, a stupa, a treasured hole, a golden table, a door to the sky, a monastery of monks, and a meditation place of Guru Rinpoche. Travelers offer libations twice per day to have nice weather during pilgrimages.

Tashi Dorji describes a pilgrimage to Tshong Tshongma and the surrounding area. He discusses a biography of Tshong Tshongma Ney (the religious site) which was taken by the people of Bonglang village (Tawang District, Arunachal Pradesh, India) for reception purposes but never returned. It says there is a garden of Tshong Tshongma at the base of Dukti village with fruits, betel leaves, betel nuts, and other plants which only those who are about to die can reach. He explains that the deity behind the Jomo is Tshong Tshongma. If someone has lost one’s life force, it can be retrieved from the devil with the help of Jomo.

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.

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.

Dorji and Tashi Dorji, residents of Dukti village, discuss the naked dance festival of Dukti village. They explain that little is known about this festival, including when it began. In the past, leaders like Tshong Tshongma Lopen and local police have tried to stop it due to the nudity. However, after the attempts to stop the festival, snakes would spring out in large numbers across the village and their crops were affected. Now, it takes place on the 10th day of the fifth month in the Bhutanese calendar.

Dorji and Tashi Dorji, residents of Dukti village, discuss Serwa Dzong, an abandoned fortress outside Dukti village (about two hours walking). They describe how Serwa Dzong looked before it was covered by trees, and the security features: one before entering, and another after reaching the courtyard. There were two water resources next to the Dzong which are no longer visible today. They also discuss a fight between Serwa Dzong and Tshong Tshongma.

Dorji and Tashi Dorji, residents of Dukti village, discuss Serwa Dzong, an abandoned fortress outside Dukti village (about two hours walking). They explain that no one is sure when it was originally built, and now only ruins remain to tell its existence. They say it was used as a checkpoint in ancient times to collect taxes from merchants passing through Bhutan into the Tawang district of Arunachal Pradesh, India. Now, there is a makeshift police checkpoint next to the ruins, erected during the COVID-19 pandemic to keep watch on trespassers.