Research Catalog

Chamchen.

Title
Chamchen. Nyimalung Trenda: 2nd Day of Festival [Close shot] [electronic resource].
Publication
2005.

Available Online

NYPL Digital Collections

Details

Additional Authors
  • Core of Culture (Organization)
  • Core of Culture. dnr
Description
1 digital video file (46 min.) : digital, stereo., H.264 file.
Uniform Title
Bhutan Dance Project, Core of Culture.
Alternative Title
  • Black Hat Dance (aka The Great Dance). Nyimalung Trenda: 2nd Day of Festival [Close shot]
  • Zhanag Cham
Subjects
Genre/Form
  • Dance.
  • Filmed dance.
  • Filmed performances.
  • Video.
Note
  • For wide shot version, see: *MGZIDF 686A.
  • This is a dance enacting the subjugation of Langdarma by Llhalung Pel-Ki Dorji and was said to be unique to the Monastery of Nyimalung. In fact Tamzhing Monastery in Bumthang also has a version of Chamchen - of which we filmed demonstration steps. The Black Hat dances comprise a cycle of sacred Tibetan dances, which are said to have their source in the dance by which the Tibetan monk Llhalung Pel-Ki Dorji sought to distract the anti-Buddhist, Tibetan King, Langdarma, before pulling a bow and arrow from the copious sleeves of his costume and assassinating him in A.D. 842. The dances are performed with the ritual intention of subjugating and destroying evil and are also used as rites to purify the ground on the occasion of the construction and consecration of stupas, temples and dzongs where the wrathful nature of the dance is seen as frightening malevolent spirits away and wresting control of the site back from their power. The colourful costume of the Black Hat dances, comprising a large black hat covered in magical symbols, (hexagrams, lensa glyphs, mirrors, peacock feathers etc.) rich brocade silk gowns, vajra collars (dorji gong) boots, scarves and a particular apron displaying the wrathful face of one of the emanations of Mahakala known as a Thro-Zhey (literally, wrathful face) are completed by a set of ritual implements carried in each hand. These may vary, but most commonly include a phurba attached to scarves held in the right hand, and a skull-cap decorated with cowrie shells held in the left. The costume identifies the black hat dancers as being powerful yogis (sorcerers or magicians) who s origin shades back into more ancient, pre-Buddhist times. The dancers are said to pound the earth with their thunderbolt steps marking out the sacred geometric figure of a mandala on the ground, whilst their hands create mystical gestures or mudra known as gar based upon traditional tantric texts. As the ritual continues, the evil spirits who are present are attracted by the flickering of the scarves and are then captured and held in the linga a torma -surrounded by a triangular case that holds them fast. The climax of the rite sees these evils spirits destroyed by the flashing blade of the phurba wielded by the main dancer, who has entered a state of limitless compassion which is capable of destroying the body of evil at the same time as liberating its spirit. In Bhutan this very sacred dance was performed by the Zhabdrung himself whose wrathful performances of the Zhanag dance are said to have terrified onlookers by the intensity of his execution of this dance. Today these rituals are commemorated at Punakha Drubchen where the chief abbot of the Drukpa school, the Je Khenpho, performs in front of the public dressed in the Black Hat costume. There are many versions of the Black Hat dances, varying from 5 to more than 21 dancers, and the instruments and costumes used will also change depending upon the specific rituals performed.
  • Nyimalung Trenda is held for three days on the 8th to the 10th day of the 5th Bhutanese month. The final blessing day coincides with the anniversary of the Birth of Guru Rinpoche. A Chamjug or rehearsal day is held on the 7th day of the Lunar month.
  • Nyimalung Trenda: Day Two: 16th/6/2005 (Chamjug Rehearsal Day). Shinjey Phomo (9:30 am) -- Shazam Offering Dance (10:00 am) -- Zhanag Durdag (10:50 am) -- LUNCH BREAK (12 pm) -- Jug Ging (1:00 pm) -- Dri Ging (2:00 pm)-- Nga Ging (2:40 pm) -- Cham Chen (3:00 pm) (Langdarma subjugation dance, when Lhalung Pel-ki Dorji subdued Langdarma).
Access (note)
  • Open.
Event (note)
  • Videotaped in rehearsal at the Nyimalung Dratsang (right of right-hand entrance on ground looking across left diagonal of arena), in Bumthang, on June 16, 2005.
Source (note)
  • Core of Culture.
Call Number
*MGZIDF 686B
OCLC
828677167
Title
Chamchen. Nyimalung Trenda: 2nd Day of Festival [Close shot] [electronic resource].
Imprint
2005.
Country of Producing Entity
Bhutan.
Series
Bhutan Dance Project, Core of Culture.
Access
Open.
Event
Videotaped in rehearsal at the Nyimalung Dratsang (right of right-hand entrance on ground looking across left diagonal of arena), in Bumthang, on June 16, 2005.
Source
Gift; Core of Culture. NN-PD
Connect to:
NYPL Digital Collections
Local Subject
Ritual and ceremonial dancing -- Bhutan.
Added Author
Core of Culture (Organization)
Core of Culture. Donor
Research Call Number
*MGZIDF 686B
View in Legacy Catalog