After a three-year gap due to the pandemic, the people of Haa came together to celebrate the Haa Summer Festival this time. The festival, which showcases the unique culture and nomadic traditions of Haa Valley, attracted hundreds of local visitors. The three-day festival ended yesterday.
The festival featured a variety of cultural programs, including fold and mask dances, traditional sports and local cuisines. Highlanders displayed their nomadic lifestyles, offering a glimpse into their rich heritage.
While the number of international tourists was limited, a few were spotted taking pictures and exploring the stalls.
Visitors from both near and far flocked to the festival, enjoying the entertainment programmes and enjoying the lively atmosphere.
“The festival is a wonderful opportunity for elderly people like us to enjoy cultural performances and reconnect with friends and family. We can cherish the chance to catch up, ask about each other’s well-being, and engage in friendly conversations. Moreover, many people can earn money through such events,” said Phuntsho, a resident of Uesu Gewog.
“We had difficult times during the pandemic but thanks to His Majesty the King and His Holiness the Je Khenpo for keeping everyone safe during the challenging days. Being able to attend and enjoy the festival is icing on the cake,” said Tshering Wangchuk, another resident.
“There are many cultural performances such as traditional dances and mask dances and fun games like lucky dips. We are happy to have such a festival during the summer vacations when there are typically fewer activities in the district,” said Dawa, a resident,
Additionally, the event also presented a lucrative opportunity for business people to earn a good income from the large gathering.
“There is usually a limited customer base in Haa town. However, thanks to events like the festival, we were able to earn extra income. While our daily earnings in town rarely exceed Nu 3,000, during the festival, we managed to make over Nu 16,000. We hope to have such an event annually,” said Sonam Choden, a hotelier.
“The festival is a good opportunity for market exploration and promotion of local products. Participating in similar events typically requires significant expenses. However, during the festival, we had the opportunity to interact with diverse individuals and educate them about our products,” said Lhab Dorji, an entrepreneur,
“We don’t usually get many passengers as Haa’s population is small. However, during occasions like the festival, tsechu, moenlam chenmo and other events, we can earn a good income,” said Wangchuk, a taxi driver.
People expressed their hopes and plans to showcase more products and expand their businesses in future editions of the festival.
The Department of Tourism introduced the first edition of the festival in 2011.
Namgay Wangchuk
Edited by Sonam Pem
