TitlePholey Moley, Ngangbi Rabney: Day Three - Final Day [Close shot]
Additional title: Dance of the Noblemen and Noble Ladies
NamesCore of Culture (Organization) (Producer)Core of Culture (Organization) (Donor)
CollectionBhutan Dance Project, Core of Culture
Dates / OriginDate Created: 2005
Library locationsJerome Robbins Dance DivisionShelf locator: *MGZIDF 867B
TopicsDance -- BhutanFolk dancing -- BhutanDance -- Religious aspects -- BuddhismRites & ceremonies -- BhutanMasks -- BhutanBumthang (Bhutan : District)Festivals -- BhutanRitual and ceremonial dancing -- BhutanMask dances -- Bhutan
GenresFilmed danceFilmed performances
NotesAdditional physical form: For wide shot version, see: *MGZIDF 867A.Content: Ngangbi Rabney/Ngangbi Ramnyen, Day Three: Dec. 17, 2005: Zhey, Pt. 1 first part of the long dance performed by the local Zheypa group ; Zhauli Cham (Nyulemai Cham) - The Dance of the Evil Spirit ; Sampa Ngacham Mangcham - Drum dance of all attendant spirits ; Zhey: Jyui Lam Dam a particular dance in which the Zheypa link arms and pass under each other to form a close-knit group ; Pholey Moley - The Dance of the Noblemen and their Ladies ; Zhey: Hiyo - another particular dance that sees the Zheypa leaning alternately to right and left in a line with the Zheypon spinning by himself in front of them ; Khandumai Cham - The Dance of the Dakinis ; Zhey: The final dance of the Zheypa for the day.Venue: Videotaped in performance at the Ngangbi Lhakhang, in Bumthang, Bhutan (courtyard baseline looking along left diagonal towards the Lhakhang), on Dec. 17, 2005.Acquisition: Gift; Core of Culture. NN-PDBiographical/historical: The Nganbi Ramnyen is a remarkably well-run and well preserved festival which is organised amongst 8 different villages in the Chhoekhor vallery. The Festival takes place at the Ngangbi Lhkakhang which is next door to the Noble house presided over by descendants of Lam Namkha Samdrup. The set of Zhey (Nobleman Families) dances is a remarkable survival from the time of the Zhabdrung and this variant is particular to the place. The dating of the festival is not fixed to a particular month or date but depends upon the timing of an astronomical event - as is also true at Namkha Lhakang (just over the hill from Nganbi) another temple established by Namkha Samdrup. Other particular parts to the festival include: The reading of the Tam (Jambay Lekshey) to representatives of each household - a set of dos and don'ts for the participants in the festival (Do be courteous to others during the festival; Don't get drunk and fight during the festival; Don't put a big penis in a small vagina! etc.) An evening meal for the Zhey and other participants in the festival in which ancestral food which includes cooked cow hide is served to all. The Hung Hung La dance is the last item on the festival list, and takes place throughout the evening of the last day. The Gathpo, Ganmo and Botsa atsaras go around all the local houses, giving auspicious blessings and cracking lewd jokes until dawn the next day.Biographical/historical: Ngangbi Ramnyen is held for three days from the 15th to the 17th days of the 10th Bhutanese month. A Chamjug or rehearsal day is held the day before. This information is generally correct, however, the timing of this particular tsechu is moved to coincide with a precise astronomical event, hence the dates may move either forwards or backwards.
Physical DescriptionBorn digitalExtent: 1 video file (37 min.) : sound, color
DescriptionThe old Tibetan dance-drama - but in fact the Ngangbi version proved to be quite interesting - particularly in the interactions between the characters and the audience. Pholey Moley recounts the story of separation between the husband - who goes off to war - and his loving wife, who must stay behind and await his return. It is about being or rather not being faithful - and in this version we see the the three atsaras hiding the wives amongst the audience, after the Father and Son have had their way with them. The long performance fills most of the afternoon and it is also a time when the atsaras are at their best and clown around with the various characters of the Pholey Moley story. When the Gathpo (old man) Ganmo (old woman) and the Botsa (Son) first arrive, they process around the courtyard greeting everyone as though they were all old family friends. Their antics are generally lewd and overtly sexual - and this comedy is very much enjoyed by the spectators. On the last evening of the Ngangbi Ramnyen the three spend all evening going from house to house in the various villages (they start out at the Noble house first) cracking lewd jokes and continuing their ribald antics until dawn arrives next day. They also pronounce auspicious words and give blessings to each of the houses that welcomes them in and offers them food and drink. By the end of the night everyone in the following retinue is very drunk - and the atsaras clowning has reached a high pitch of perfection and is quite hilarious. GATHPO GANMO STORY Goem Chapdrel Sum (The three guardian deities) Gathpo (old man) represents Yeshi Goenbo Ganmo (old woman) represents Pendhen Lhamo Botsa (son) represents Ngoenkha According to legend, Gathpo and Ganmo are supposed to be brother and sister born to the same parents while they were in heaven. Both were supposed to be extraordinarily beautiful and they eventually married. Later when it was foretold that they would go to the earth, to help all sentient beings, they realized that on earth their marriage would not be accepted. Because on earth marriage was illegal between such close relatives, both Gathpo and Ganmo turned black with shame and became very ugly. The same was true of the Botsa (son) born to them, who was also dark and ugly like his parents. This is why we see Gathpo, Ganmo and the Botsa during the festival as having quite ugly faces, and yet they are also very sacred since they represent three Guardian Deities. It is believed that the tradition of passing on the role of the Gathpo falls to a particular house, known as Fai Leng, which was located at a place called Fai Leng ( field at the edge ) since the house was built in a field located at the edge of a small hill. Thus the Gathpo is popularly known as Fai Leng Gathpo (Old man of Fai Leng). Rinzin Dorji is from the house of Fai Leng, and people still think that no one was funnier or more talented as the Gathpo than Rinzin. Similarly, by tradition, the role of Ganmo (old woman) is supplied by a member of a house located near the Chorten behind the noble house. Thus the Ganmo is also known as Chorten Ganmo (Old woman of the Chorten).
Type of ResourceMoving image
IdentifiersNYPL catalog ID (B-number): b19894805Universal Unique Identifier (UUID): 6c5b2f80-e508-0130-855d-3c075448cc4b
Copyright NoticeCore of Culture
Rights StatementThis item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).
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