Bygone yet Beautiful

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 Was it all in my fantasy?

I feel sad to see many bhutanese culture and tradition fades away. There were many different culture in different parts of Bhutan. Born in western part of Bhutan, i was more exposed to local  culture which holds a miracle place in my heart. I remember the interesting  moment of introducing the new born infant to the local deity. Earlier, very least visit hospital for child delivery. The popular one was giving birth at home attended by elderly experienced women. Isn't it a wonder? Everything was at the perfectionist.  If I am not wrong many of us are born at home instead of hospital. Wow!!!We are still healthy.  But now, it is not advisable to give birth at home because there are better child and mother care at hospitals. 

Let me share how people at my place introduce the newly born infant to the local deity.  After the birth, three days is a period of hiding the new born inside the house. Neither the  family allows the visitor nor take the baby outside the house. On third day, the new born is welcomed outside with the special and popular dish Men-gay(local name). Men-gay is prepared in two special occasions in my home place. One is at the time of welcoming the new born and another one during winter solstice(Nyilo-new year). The ingredients are red rice, crunched walnut, amaranth seeds, salt,  spring onion and ginger. People gather outside and pray for wellbeing and prosperous future of baby by offering the Men-jay to local deity. The headman of the place offer scarf to newborn with enchanting prayers. 

I still remember how I was excited to  hear the news of new born. My childhood wish was to see many pregnant women. Now, I realised that my excitement was all about the  beautiful culture that bonded the relationship and the blessing showered to new born was unbelievable. 

Now, it is bygone moment and I feel like a realms of fantasy. 

P.S I am recollecting the beautiful childhood memories and craving into the words so that the new generations will have the myth to hear someday. 


The picture of special Men-gay prepared by my mother. 





Comments

  1. Pelzang bhutri25 September 2020 at 23:43

    Is called mamja in my dialect. Is eat only in special occassion that is either in our birthdays or nilo dear. But not any more.cos we dont know how to make. Only i remember is so tasty make in big bowl or plate and shared among family members💙💙💙

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yugzie's Clutter Bug27 September 2020 at 13:39

      It got many names in different dzongkhag. Parop calls it Jomja and we call it men gay. Punakha has another name. But the ingredients are same I guess.

      Delete
    2. Yugzie's Clutter Bug27 September 2020 at 13:41

      Mamja in our dialect is Millet.

      Delete

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