For the people of Wangdue Phodrang, it is the peak season for their annual ritual and sporting activities. However, with closed doors, a silent atmosphere, no crowd, and long away from preparations, villages are dead silent. Most events have been either postponed or suspended amid the pandemic.
This time last year, with altars adorned, men and women in their best attire, families gathered, and feasts served, most villages in the dzongkhag remained as cheerful as ever. Lochhoe – the annual ritual to appease their local deities and a family gathering event was taking place as usual.
This time too, the atmosphere was all the same for Sonam from Phangyul. His family was all prepared to conduct the annual ritual when the government imposed the nationwide lockdown.
”We were prepared and ready to conduct the ritual but had to suspend it after receiving a directive from the government,’’ he said. In an event of an illness that requires ritual, Sonam said that they are managing by making offerings and praying.
The government suspended all religious ceremonies and festivals in order to break the chain of community transmission of the coronavirus. And in Wangdue, as per the directive of the National COVID-19 Taskforce, the implementation is being monitored by the dzongkhag taskforce.
According to Wangdue Phodrang Rabdey’s Lam Neten Pema, it is not mandatory to conduct rituals on the usual date.
”We can always keep things ready and wait for a while until the situation improves. The formal ritual can happen right after the lockdown,’’ the Lam added.
However, few cases of non-compliance with the protocols were reported in the dzongkhags. As per the district’s Incident Commander Sonam Jamtsho, they will be dealt with, as per the law.
He added, ”violation of directives is a violation of the law. Therefore, we have decided to forward the cases to the court.’’
Villagers there also have a culture of playing archery around this time, but all sporting activities have been suspended as well. The local government and law enforcement agencies are strictly monitoring the villagers.
Meanwhile, people who have come in contact with one another during the recent ritual ceremonies have all been put in-home quarantine.
Wangdue Phodrang reported the first case of COVID-19 on 24th December.
Changa Dorji
