Tamu Lhosar

New year festival of Gurung people of Nepal From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Tamu Lhosar

Tamu Lhosar is a new year festival celebrated by the Gurung people. It is celebrated on every 15th Poush (December/January) of the Nepali calendar and is observed as a public holiday.[1]

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Tamu Lhosar
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Tamu Lhosar celebration with Ghatu Dance
Observed byGurung communities
TypeGurung festival
ObservancesPeople gather together, sing different traditional songs, and perform traditional dances
Date15th day of Poush in the Nepali calendar
FrequencyAnnual
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Similar to the Lhosars celebrated by other ethnic groups such as Tamangs and Sherpas, the Gurungs divide the years into 12 cycles, known as Lohokor, with each cycle represented by a different animal. These animals are the eagle, serpent, horse, sheep, monkey, bird, dog, deer, mouse, cow, tiger and cat.[2]

In Tamu kyi, the word Lhosar represents "new" (Lho) and "change" (Sar), with each of the 12 animals signifying a new Lho. The celebration of Lhosar signifies a farewell to the existing Lho to welcome the new one.[2][3]

Activities

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Tamu Lhosar celebration

During the festival, prayer flags are placed on major Buddhist stupas such as Swayambhunath and Boudhanath, as well as on the roofs of people's homes.[2] People dress up in traditional attire, with men wearing bhangra, a white apron and a kachhad, a short. Women wear ghalek and gunyo-cholo, a velvet blouse, and adorn gold ornaments such as earrings and semi-precious stone necklaces.[4] Traditional dances such as the Ghatu dance and Chudka are performed, alongside songs such as "Thado Bhaka".[2]

Home-made Raksi is served during the festivities.[4]

See also

References

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