one of the village dancers in traditional cloths at the Loser festival in Dirang
It happens to be Tibetan New Year, called Losar. And this is celebrated in Dirang for all the villages in the surrounding, many of which have sent their traditional dance groups to the festival. The groups are small, perhaps four of five people each, but all have been dressed up, with costumes, masks, and colourful hats. One group has brought a bull – the costume of a bull -, another two snow lions.
the gate to the festival grounds
the dance groups nicely lined up at the beginning
same group, in a bit more detail
one of the two masked man of the group
curious enough to peep underneath his mask at the photographer
another dance group, but same principle
Everybody is exceedingly friendly and hospitable, nobody treats us like invaders – what we are, of course, showing up at the gate uninvited. But from that gate we are immediately directed towards the dancers.
a masked dancer from another village
the two snow lions entering the performance arena
the VIP enclosure, and some of the VIPs
the bull – the costume of the bull – with two pairs of sneakers
We are early, the dances haven’t started yet, but the groups are conveniently lined up, for the photos. We are invited into the enclosure for VIPs; being the only foreigners has its advantages. But after a few minutes we get up again, preferring to walk around. Talking to the many people who have dressed in traditional cloths, and are proud to show off; or the people at the various food and drink stalls, which, I think, are not commercial enterprises but the stalls of different clans, where people from the village gather again, after having completed their performances. Also, witnessing the Buddhist ceremony, for which the yellow-hatted monks have come to the festival ground to perform prayers, chanting and offerings, which are being received by the many important people. Who have also made an effort to dress up, it looks.
the women showing off their traditional dress
which is indeed very colourful
the festival grounds, with the stalls along the side
one of the dancers in action
and various characters walking up and down
this one is merely shaking his head
whist he is actually twirling around
another group, of which the meaning never became clear to me
and another one, masked
at the beginning of the ceremony, the monks in festive costume
another part of the band
the offerings
important monk
important VIP, also dressed for the occasion
another VIP, taking it more easily
the spectators, from an early age
and immaculately coiffed
at the end of the ceremony flower is thrown, and even innocent bystanders don’t escape
After the ceremony we are, like everybody else, covered with flower, that’s the thing to do. And when we indicate that we really need to leave, we are first treated to fruit and apa, home-brewed rice wine, in one of the stalls.
and two members of the band
a singing group ready to perform
I am sure we could have spent the rest of the day here, weathering the long speeches and enjoying more of the traditional dancing. And no doubt drinking lots more apa. But after an hour or two – to the mild dismay of our driver, who had wanted to leave much earlier – we left, for Bomdilla, further down the mountain.
one of the younger participants
the tent where the performances were held
and then the festival ground turns out to be the local football pitch!
