By Usha Wagle Gautam
More than 700 Nepalese based in Qatar attended a cultural function organised by the Nepal Nonresident Federation of Indigenous Nationalities-Qatar (NNFIN) to mark the 21st International Day of the World’s Indigenous People at Quality Hypermarket over the weekend.
The programme was chaired by NNFIN President Siya Ram Chaudhary and attended by Nitesh Sapkota, second secretary at Nepal’s Embassy in Qatar. A large number of Nepalese journalists, entrepreneurs and community leaders also attended.
The International Day of the World’s Indigenous People is observed by United Nations (UN) on August 9. This year’s theme is “Post 2015 Agenda: Ensuring indigenous peoples’ health and well-being”.
NNFIN is the umbrella organisation of Qatar-based indigenous Nepalese organisations — Nepal Magar Society, Tamu Society, Tamang Society, Sunuwar Society, Newar Pucha, Tharu Welfare Service, Kirat Rai Yayokkha Sakha, Limbu Society, Sherpa Society, Kirat Yakthung Chumlung, Majhi Welfare Society and Nonresident Nepalese Bhujel Society. NNFIN has been celebrating the International Day of the World’s Indigenous People since 2006.
The programme started with a one-minute silence for the people who lost their lives in the recent disasters in Nepal.
The first phase of the programme consisted of a poetry-reading competition, where 17 people read their poetry. Mangal Singh Karang, Chandrashor Rai, Uttam Tamu, DN Magar, Indra Bahadur Tamang, Yaknath Chaudhary, Om Gharti Bhujel, Anita Sunuwar, Rabin Thapa Magar, Kishor Maharjan, Bharat Majhi, Suman Limbu, Rabin Rai, Purna Tamu, Kaman Yonjan Tamang, Easna Chaudhary and Nar Bahadur Sunuwar recited poems in Nepali and other native languages of Nepal. The poem competition was co-ordinated and judged by International Nepalese Literary Society-Qatar (INLS) President Tirtha Sangam Rai, INLS Advisor Hemanta Parsadi and Nabodit Literary Library-Qatar President Bhanu Sunuwar. Most poems dealt with patriotism, melancholy and aesthetic of lives. Each poet was awarded with a certificate.
The poetry session was followed by a speech by Lilam Barchidi Magar on the significance of International Day of the World’s Indigenous People. He said, “This day is observed to call international community and members of the UN to respect and give equal rights to the indigenous communities.”
His speech was followed by a 30-minute-long folk dance, performed by 33 artistes. The dance was co-ordinated by Bhai Kaji Gurung and featured artistes from 11 Qatar-based organisations in traditional Nepalese attire.
Artistes associated with Kirat Yakthung Chumlung-Qatar performed Chambung and Bijuwo, both folk dances. Bishal Sigu Limbu, Bishal Angbo Limbu, Mangal C Karang, Rajendra Samyankha, Summit Darai, Sunita Limbu, Sita Kumglung, Kamala Tamang, Shyam Suhag Limbu, Harka Kugum, and Januka Magar danced to Dholak, a percussion instrument from the Indian subcontinent.
Kirat Rai Yayokkha Sakha Qatar performed Sakela and Chandi dances. The Sakela dance was performed by Padam Rai, Punam Rai, Sanjay Rai other 10 artistes. The dance mimics the steps of ducks (hans), dhobi chara, kalchuda — birds indigenous to Nepal — and deer (mirga), Musk Meer (kasturi mirga) and other animals. The dancers, wearing their traditional attire, form a large circle, with male and female leaders. Padam, the main guy, narrated the mundhum, reciting how their ancestors travelled through Dudh Koshi, Sun Koshi, and Tama Koshi and finally settled along the banks of Bhote Koshi River.
The Chandi dance was performed by 15 artistes. The artistes said they performed the Chandi dance as a prayer for peace and success, especially for farmers in Nepal.
The Non-Resident Nepalese Bhujel Society Qatar performed a traditional Bhujel dance. Nirmal Bhujel, Nanda Bhujel, Joshan Bhujel and Bhagbati Bhujel were the dancers.
The Magar Society Qatar performed Vuma Nirta Jakhi and Salaiju dances.
Vuma Nirta Jakhi was performed by Janak Thapa Magar, Tek Rashaili, Kee Pulami Magar, Kesav Acharya, Raj Lopchan, Mohan Thapa Magar, Debandra Pun Magar, Sita Thapa, Yam Bahadur Sorali Magar, Kanchan Rai, Maya Tamang, Roshika Tamang, Manju Thapa Magar, Anjana Tamang, Purnima Tamang, Nisha Tamang and Punam Magar. The dance was directed by Janak Thapa Magar, who said different indigenous people in Nepal have different versions of the Jakhi dance. The Magar Jakhi must be performed by more than 20 artistes for four days regularly, he said.
The Salaju dance — also directed by Janak — was performed by Tek Rashaili, Mohan Thapa Magar, Debendra Pun Magar, Sita Thapa, and Mahili Thapa. He said, “The Salaju Dance is traditionally performed in a Magar festival and also when a boy wants to ask the hand of a girl for marriage.”
The Dhime dance followed, performed by Newa Pucha-Qatar artistes Santa Maharjan, Dharmendra Maharjan, Jitendra Maharjan and Dipendra Maharjan. The dance featured Dhime, a Nepalese percussion instrument.
Tau Maya Gurung, Parmi Tamu, Anita Tamu, Gora Tamu and Krishna Tamu performed solo dances, followed by a group performance.
The Majhi Welfare Society artistes showcased their dancing talents with Ratauli — a comic folk dance. Dancers Parkash Majhi, Suryaman Majhi, Roshan Majhi, Umesh Majhi, Sarad Majhi and Bharat Majhi acted as bride, groom and relatives at a typical Nepalese marriage ceremony and entertained the crowd through a unique comic tale.
The Tharu Welfare Society-Qatar (TWS) artistes, Parbash Chaudhary, Parbati Chaudhary, Mira Chaudhary, Raj Chaudhary presented two traditional dances. The TWS dances portrayed Nepal as an agricultural country, with the dancers holding farming tools in their hands.
Members of Tamang Society (TS) performed three dances. The first, a 40-minute-long mega-dance, was essayed by more than 20 artistes, each of them carrying ethnic musical instruments. The dance was based on the eighth century story of Buddhist Guru Rinpoche, who worked to remove obstacles that faced Buddhism. TS artistes Sabina Tamang and Bhumika Rai performed two complementary dances.
Artistes associated with Sunuwar Service Society performed a song from a Nepalese film, followed by a Jhakri (witchdoctor) dance. Dancers Naresh Kumar Sunuwar, Asha Sunuwar, Bikash Sunuwar, Padam Bahadur Sunuwar, Kamal Sunuwar, Anita Sunuwar, Rupak Sunuwar, Bhakta Bahadur Sunuwar and Ganga Sunuwar performed a 25-minute-long dance about farmers.
At the end, NNFIN honoured representatives from 11 Qatar-based indigenous Nepalese organisations for their participation in the National Day Programme in December last year. Mahendra Thapa Magar, Police Thapa Magar, Man Kumar Bangboo, Amrit Rai, Krishna Gurung, Tharcha Lama, Anjin Kumar Pajiya, Som Sunuwar and Kishor Maharjan received the awards for their respective organisations.
The programme was hosted by DN Magar, Kalpana Gurung and Shiba Kumar Bhujel, and Debraj Rai delivered the welcome speech.
ATTENDANCE: More than 700 people attended the event.
