The New Year festival of Bhutan, called Losar, is celebrated between February and March according to the lunar calendar. In 2013 Losar falls on February 11 to 12. This holiday festival is marked by ritual feasts and family gatherings as well as offerings of thanksgiving and an auspicious year to come. Details of the Losar celebrations differ among regions in Bhutan and celebrations like Losar in neighboring Tibet. The food eaten during Losar and its preparation, presentation, consumption, and symbolic meaning are important traditional rituals that serve to strengthen the bonds of community and identity and culture of Bhutan.
The modern celebration of Losar in Bhutan originated in 1637, when Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal (1594-1651), the unifier of Bhutan, marked the completion of the famous Punakha Dzong (temple) with an opening party. Bhutanese came from all over the country to bring offerings of products of different regions, a tradition that is still reflected in the wide variety of foods consumed during Losar ritual foods.
Often Losar celebrations include a traditional meal in the morning, which is timed to coincide with sunrise and a lunch snack. Foods like chips cookies (tshos); tangerines; diced sugarcane; fermented rice (changkoi); various stews, porridges and cheeses; different specialty teas and sweets (shudre) are traditionally consumed. Sugar cane and plantains are considered auspicious food, the presence of which helps to ensure the New Year will be good. Archery competitions (expected Bhutanese archery is the national sport) and play darts and other games. Families picnic, people dance and sing, and offerings are made.
His Royal Highness the Prince of Bhutan, Ugyen Wangchuck Jigyel practiced archery program in Bhutan during the Smithsonian Folklife Festival in 2008. Photo by Laraine Weschler, Ralph Rinzler Folklife archives and collections of the Smithsonian Institution
His Royal Highness the Prince of Bhutan, Ugyen Wangchuck Jigyel practiced archery program in Bhutan during the Smithsonian Folklife Festival in 2008. Photo by Laraine Weschler, Ralph Rinzler Folklife archives and collections of the Smithsonian Institution
In recent years, Losar strengthened community ties and hierarchical social relations. Bhutanese wealthy families provide a ritual feast for community providers of food, entertainment, and offerings of officials, townspeople, dependents and other community members. During Losar, people ate special food delicacies available only during the festival and purchased by the rich. Many of Bhutan also received new clothes in Losar-once a year event. Losar traditional rituals ensured that rich "customers" were assured the loyalty of their dependents. Friends and is just as good reaffirmed and dependents will send gifts and offerings to their customers to demonstrate the continuity of their relationship. The identity is reinforced through the traditional roles of each member of the community are expected to comply. That said, Losar was also a time when wealthy families and dependents gathered to eat, sing, dance, and play together.
Bhutan Society has changed considerably since the 1950s especially. Bhutan transition from a traditional monarchy with a democratically elected parliament in 2008, which coincided with Bhutan: Land of the Thunder Dragon program on the Smithsonian Folklife Festival. Foods that were once rare or expensive is now available throughout the year, and clothing can be purchased at any time. Some of the unique traditions that made special Losar for past generations no longer have the same meaning. For example, today the celebration of Losar is no longer determined by the semi-feudal social dynamics. It is, however, still a holiday party, singing, dancing, archery, and offerings. It's a special moment when Bhutanese gather and renew their ties with friends, family and community, celebrating the cultural traditions of Bhutan and the hope of a new year auspicious together. As demonstrated during the 2008 Bhutan: Land of the Thunder Dragon Folklife Festival program, Bhutanese strongly value their heritage, traditions and culture.
The modern celebration of Losar in Bhutan originated in 1637, when Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal (1594-1651), the unifier of Bhutan, marked the completion of the famous Punakha Dzong (temple) with an opening party. Bhutanese came from all over the country to bring offerings of products of different regions, a tradition that is still reflected in the wide variety of foods consumed during Losar ritual foods.
Often Losar celebrations include a traditional meal in the morning, which is timed to coincide with sunrise and a lunch snack. Foods like chips cookies (tshos); tangerines; diced sugarcane; fermented rice (changkoi); various stews, porridges and cheeses; different specialty teas and sweets (shudre) are traditionally consumed. Sugar cane and plantains are considered auspicious food, the presence of which helps to ensure the New Year will be good. Archery competitions (expected Bhutanese archery is the national sport) and play darts and other games. Families picnic, people dance and sing, and offerings are made.
His Royal Highness the Prince of Bhutan, Ugyen Wangchuck Jigyel practiced archery program in Bhutan during the Smithsonian Folklife Festival in 2008. Photo by Laraine Weschler, Ralph Rinzler Folklife archives and collections of the Smithsonian Institution
His Royal Highness the Prince of Bhutan, Ugyen Wangchuck Jigyel practiced archery program in Bhutan during the Smithsonian Folklife Festival in 2008. Photo by Laraine Weschler, Ralph Rinzler Folklife archives and collections of the Smithsonian Institution
In recent years, Losar strengthened community ties and hierarchical social relations. Bhutanese wealthy families provide a ritual feast for community providers of food, entertainment, and offerings of officials, townspeople, dependents and other community members. During Losar, people ate special food delicacies available only during the festival and purchased by the rich. Many of Bhutan also received new clothes in Losar-once a year event. Losar traditional rituals ensured that rich "customers" were assured the loyalty of their dependents. Friends and is just as good reaffirmed and dependents will send gifts and offerings to their customers to demonstrate the continuity of their relationship. The identity is reinforced through the traditional roles of each member of the community are expected to comply. That said, Losar was also a time when wealthy families and dependents gathered to eat, sing, dance, and play together.
Bhutan Society has changed considerably since the 1950s especially. Bhutan transition from a traditional monarchy with a democratically elected parliament in 2008, which coincided with Bhutan: Land of the Thunder Dragon program on the Smithsonian Folklife Festival. Foods that were once rare or expensive is now available throughout the year, and clothing can be purchased at any time. Some of the unique traditions that made special Losar for past generations no longer have the same meaning. For example, today the celebration of Losar is no longer determined by the semi-feudal social dynamics. It is, however, still a holiday party, singing, dancing, archery, and offerings. It's a special moment when Bhutanese gather and renew their ties with friends, family and community, celebrating the cultural traditions of Bhutan and the hope of a new year auspicious together. As demonstrated during the 2008 Bhutan: Land of the Thunder Dragon Folklife Festival program, Bhutanese strongly value their heritage, traditions and culture.
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