tamang indigenous communities observe sonam lhosar with amid fanfare Episode - 23

This episodes of Indigenous Voice TV program gave a special coverage of Sonam Losar, observed by Tamang Indigenous communities in Nepal. Sonam Lochhar—the beginning of New Year. 

Tamang indigenous community said to have come from Mahayana sect of Buddhist religion in Nepal and abroad celebrate the beginning of their new year by organizing various programs and exchanging greetings, happiness and best wishes with each other.

Tamang peoples residing inside Kathmandu gathered in Tudikhel, the open ground in Kathmandu and observed the festival organizing a special cultural program.  The event also showcased varieties of traditional cuisine, traditional dresses, handicrafts, book stalls and so forth.

Lochhar, orally uttered as Lhosar is one of the greatest cultural festival of Tamang indigenous peoples. This festival is not merely observed in Nepal alone but also in China, Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Bharma and many others states equally have the similar charm. 

Recognizing the festival of Tamang as a national festival, the government declared the national holiday on the occasion.

What is Lhosar?

The term 'Lho' means year and 'Chhar' stands for new and therefore, it together signifies a 'New Year'. The community believes in Lho or year order of cycle based on 12 different animals namely-- Rat, Ox, Tigar, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat/Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Boar (pig) and carryout the rituals accordingly on the basis of same cyclic order. This year is the beginning of the year of the 'Sheep', which bids farewell to the year of the horse in the Tamang indigenous community. Tamang indigenous communities celebrate this festival for over 15-days by visiting near and dear ones, exchanging of wishes.