For centenarians who have seen the world for over a hundred years, age usually is just a number. So, what is it that is keeping them going for this long? Perhaps, Tumba Dema from Pema Gatshel’s Tshelingor village has an answer for this. The 108-year-old centenarian is active and independent for her age, able to walk around her home without assistance. Our reporter Thinley Dorji caught up with Tumba and her family to seek the secret recipe to longevity, if there is any.
Tshelingor village in Zobel Gewog is home to one of the oldest women. Tumba Dema lives with her son and is cared for by her granddaughters.
Tumba has two daughters, three sons, and as many as 40 grandchildren. Her eldest has already turned 87 while her youngest is 72.
She has lived for over a century and is still counting. Tumba is physically fit for her age. She can walk from her bedroom to the bathroom and move around the house without using a walking stick.
Recalling their ancestral history, her granddaughters say Tumba is the only family member to live this long.
Tumba shy away from new faces and doesn’t enjoy talking much. She also cannot hear properly due to ageing.
“Our grandmother has lived for over 108 years and has seen three successive generations. We feel very fortunate. We faced a difficult time when she lost her sight as one of us had to stay with her all the time and couldn’t carry out our daily farm work,” said Ngawang Tshomo, Tumba’s Granddaughter.
Around a decade ago, Tumba lost her sight which became a bit of a hurdle for both herself and her family.
But that was a brief period of challenge. After undergoing eye surgery at an eye camp in the district, she regained her vision and started her life all over again with renewed hope.
Ngawang Tshomo said, “When she regained her sight, she said it felt like being reborn. She was so happy, and we were also overjoyed. It had been difficult for us when she couldn’t see.”
Tumba still enjoys her meals, actively chants prayers and turns her handheld prayer wheel.
“Most elderly people can’t go to the bathroom on their own, but our grandmother is able to walk around the house by herself. We feel very lucky. We also pray that we will be blessed with a long life, just like her,” said Ngawang Tshomo.
Her granddaughters say many people visit Tumba to receive blessings for a long life. It is a Bhutanese belief that visiting and taking the pre-owned clothes of centenarians will bless the receiver with longevity.
During her adulthood, Tumba used to juggle between being a housewife and farm work besides pursuing weaving as a passionate hobby during her free time.
Her granddaughters attribute Tumba’s longevity to the active and healthy lifestyle she’s led during her prime age.
Thinley Dorji, Pema Gatshel
Edited by Phub Gyem
