Dragon Kingdom: Day 4- Taro

 

We visited the annual Festival at Taro which is located at the top of a mountain climb from Punakha. The festival is held in the grounds of a temple (left) on a flat grassed area. The dances are standard Buddhist dances performed only by men. We learnt much more about the dances when we visited the Paro museum on Day 5.

The dancers wear wooden masks that we were told are owned by the temple. A number of "wardrobe malfunctions " occurred with the headgear; these were corrected while the other dancers improvised. Nothing that a little Velcro wouldn't fix.

The various dances and songs were linked by 4 very active clowns who spent the majority of time "on stage". We couldn't understand their dialogue, but some of their one liners must have been fantastic judging by the audience reaction. From time to time they would bestow a fertility blessing on the head of a young woman.

Photos of one of the clowns (left) and 'the Band' lead by the older gentleman on symbols leaving the younger players to contribute on the single note horns.

 

The locals brought their picnic lunches with them. We gave a spare boiled egg and banana to this young girl in the care of a grand mother. The audience had an under representation of teenage boys and younger men. The ladies and monks alike spent time drinking butter tea, and chewing beetle leaves.

For me a personal highlight was when a young monk came over and sat next to me for a 20+ minute chat! We discussed cricket (naturally) Australia having just beaten India in the World Cup. He knew many of the Au team and past legends. He is also a fan of Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman.


He completed a BBA (HR) before becoming a monk and in 2 years time he will go to one of the 3 Buddist Universities to do his Masters of Buddism.

I was sorry when we were interrupted by his smart phone ringing. It was his mother saying his lunch was ready! She with his father and brother had come from the nearby village for the Festival.

Archery is the national sport of Bhutan, and we were lucky enough to see this competition between 2 teams of professionals. They were shooting at the 150M range. I could hardly see the target, but the shooter and some of the other competitors seemed to know immediately whether it was going to hit the target. I guess when you shoot every day, you just know.

 

 

This group of women at the Taro Festivals sang a number of songs in a chant like form with limited movements and often holding hands.