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 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.

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.

Sonam Wangchuk, Cheten Tshering, and Chador discuss various utensils used in the past when conducting a feast offering. They say their parents share the same ancestral route. Their parents used to borrow utensil feast offerings because they couldn't purchase them. Cheten Tshering shows the new box to keep cups, mugs, and plates when not in use.

Mr. Sonam Wangchuck, one of the cooks and sponsors of the annual feast, discusses the preparations for the feast with a group. Seven households from Bamchang and Rinzentangpang villages sponsor the feast every year. Here he is preparing butter tea for the monks involved in feast offerings.

Conversation at the annual feast offering, one of the main events for Dakpa communities in Thragom, Rinzentangpang, and Bamchuang. This year, it was held in Rinzentangpang. They use rudimentary stoves to prepare meals. Here they are discussing what meals to serve to the monks and the general public who will come for the blessing, such as dry fish and cheeses.

Conversations and beginning of the long life blessing by His Eminence Tsheten Zangpo at Rinzentangpang Tshokhang. People discuss the process of receiving a blessing and what they have to offer in return. Some people offer cash as gratitude for the blessing from His Eminence.

Performance of the long-life blessing by His Eminence Tsheten Zangpo, a revered religious master in the Trashiyangtse district of Bhutan. The event took place in Rinzentangpang Tshokhang after a three day long feast offered by the community in the name of Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha for the well-being of the community and all the sentient beings in all endeavors. It is believed that receiving this blessing enhances one's life force and clears all unforeseen obstacles.

His Eminence Tsheten Zangpo has been the head of the annual feast in Rinzentangpang for over 25 years. In this recording, a lay monk distributes the Tshok (feast offering), sanctified through the prayers. Later, the remaining Tshok is distributed to the public.

Mr. Sonam Wangchuk performs Ngô rituals in the name of all the sponsors for the feast offering. Ngô is the dedication of merits in the name of sponsors. At the end of every ritual ceremony, the sponsors of the ceremony dedicate merits to all the sentient beings and the success of one's life in any future endeavor. He is praying on behalf of his fellow sponsors in front of His Eminence Tsheten Zangpo.

Gurma, the song of feasts, is sung by monks, nuns, and lay practitioners in veneration of their masters. This song was composed by His Holiness Dudjom Jigdral Yeshe Dorje, a 20th-century Buddhist master born in Pemako in the frontier region of Tibet. The song enchanted the people's request towards the tutelage deities and the local duties for the construction of a monastery. It includes a student's heartfelt request to the master to forever bestow his blessing upon them. The song is significant in the Dakpa community of Thragom village because many lay practitioners, including women, are into the Tröma (wrathful practice) of Mache Trhoma Namo (Black Wrathful Mother).

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.

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.

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.

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.

Conversation among the feast sponsors about the annual feast offering, recorded after the feast. They describe the practice of Zhakchang where people gather to finish the leftover wine and food from ritual ceremonies. The sponsors of the feast offering clean utensils and the Tshokhang (temple). Later they return all the utensils to their rightful owners if they have borrowed them.

Conversation among the feast sponsors about the annual feast offering, recorded after the feast. They describe the practice of Zhakchang where people gather to finish the leftover wine and food from ritual ceremonies. While having tea, they discuss the feature course of the feast. Mr. Cheten expresses his concern that future generations will not know how buckwheat is traditionally cultivated.

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. Mr. Lama Tshering describes how Tshong Tshongma got its current palace after being deceived by Samye Paygi Gyelpo when Guru Rinpoche called all the deities to the allocated respective palace.

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. Mr. Lama Tshering describes how Tshong Tshongma got its current palace after being deceived by Samye Paygi Gyelpo when Guru Rinpoche called all the deities to the allocated respective palace.

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. Mr. Lama Tshering describes how Tshong Tshongma got its current palace after Tshong Tshongma was deceived by Samye Paygi Gyelpo when Guru Rinpoche called all the deities to the allocated respective palace.

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. Mr. Lama Tshering describes how Tshong Tshongma got its current palace after Tshong Tshongma was deceived by Samye Paygi Gyelpo when Guru Rinpoche called all the deities to the allocated respective palace.

The speaker describes the Nak Chö ritual practiced by their ancestors on the maternal side. They raise a pig for a year in the name of their parental deity. When the time for the ritual comes, they carry the pig to Kudung village in Tawang district, Arunachal Pradesh, India and sacrifice it. They stopped practicing the pig sacrifice ritual when their grandmother pass away.