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The
most inauspicious of days on the Bhutanese calendar: Ngenpa Guzom
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| Observing
Ngenpa Guzom 2006 |
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Chamkhar
valley, Bumthang
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| What
do you do on the most inauspicious of days on the Bhutanese calendar?
This
year the day, known as Ngenpa Guzom (meeting of nine evils), falls on 27
December 2006, corresponding to seventh day of the 11 month of the Bhutanese
calendar. It is a national holiday. It
is believed that on this day there is no merit in performing any good deeds
and if anyone should do anything sinful, the negative karmic effects will
be multiplied. It is also believed that on this day people should not venture
outdoors, leave on a journey or begin a new venture. |
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Ngenpa
Guzom, is widely celebrated by the people of central and eastern regions,
as a day to eat, feast, play archery and do nothing important in particular.
Like
other festive occasions the demand for meat surges in the days before the
most inauspicious day.
Thirty-seven
year old Kinley Penjore, a Thimphu resident, borrowed money from friends
to buy portions of beef, pork, chicken and fish days in advance for Ngenpa
Guzom.
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| In Chamkhar
valley, Bumthang, the pork supply had sold out by Monday. In Trashigangtown the meat supply ran out by midday.
"Since
we believe that nothing good can be achieved on this day and no work should
therefore be attempted, it is a good time to feast ourselves," said Sangay
Lhazom, a corporate employee. According to Bhutanese astrologers the actual
meeting of the nine evils started yesterday morning (26 December 2006)
and ended in the morning on 27 December 2006. |
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| In
western Bhutan, apart from considering the day very inauspicious, not much
feasting is done. But there are strong held beliefs like the drey (traditional
measure for grain) should not be touched on that day otherwise one could
end up toughing the drey through the year meaning an emptying of the granary.
According
to Dorji from Haa the Haaps new year celebrations which continue for a
week normally ends on Ngenpa Guzom. |
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According
to Bhutanese astrology, although there is an inauspicious day in every
month the most inauspicious day falls on the 11th month of the Bhutanese
calendar.
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Legend
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Legend
has it that the demon couple of Pha Dorji Lokthreng and Ma Sasin Barma
had one son and four daughters. The eldest brother, Rahula, and four sisters
made a journey around a mountain known as the Ri Gyalpo Rirab. Half way
through the journey they decided to take separate routes.
On
the 7th day of the 11th month Rahula met his sister Drogsing (eldest among
the sisters) but he did not know they were siblings. They had an incestuous
relationship. The incestuous relationship led to the meeting of the nine
evils.
Meanwhile,
the nation will celebrate the Nyinlog (winter solstice) on 2 January 2007.
Nyinlog literally means the return of the sun from the south and signals
that the days will be longer and the nights will grow shorter.
The
day is considered most auspicious because it is believed that good deeds
done on this day will be rewarded with multiple merits. Most people celebrate
this auspicious day by offering butter lamps and prayers in monasteries
and temples.
Nyinlog
usually falls in the first week of January coinciding with the new year
of the Gregorian calendar.
| This
article was contributed by Rinzin Wangchuk, KUENSEL, Bhutan's National
Newspaper, 2006 |
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