Since the 15th century, every year from 27th to 29th day on 3rd month of Tibetan calendar the people of lo celebrate Teeji. Tenchi commonly pronounced Teeji is derived from the Tibetan word Tempa Chhirim which translates to Prayer for the world peace. The ceremony is organized in the courtyard of the royal palace. For the three days festivities, the students from Chhode gumba hang a huge mandala on the wall in the courtyard. The ceremony is presided over by the representative of the royal family of Lomanthang.
Teeji commemorates the victory of Buddha’s incarnation Dorje Sonam over the demon named Ma Tam ru ta, who is actually Dorje Sonam’s own father. Ma tam ru ta was a man eater and created calamities such as storms and droughts that wrecked havoc on the villagers life.
On The first day of the festival the dancers perform the dance known as sha-cham. The dancer who represents Dorje Sonam dances in the middle of the circle and transfers energy needed to battle the demon to other dancers dancing around him. Over the winter, the main dancer has to go through grueling three months of seclusion to prepare for the part of Dorje Sonam. The dancers re enact the atrocities ma tum ru ta caused on the villagers Through their music, chanting and the dances, they attempt to bring the demon into the Buddha’s realm.
Everyone from the Lo region contributes toward organizing the festival. The villagers bring in fire woods, butter and flour needed for the ceremony.
Na-Cham or the dance on the second day marks the birth of Dorje Sonam. Dorje Sonam, wearing a dog mask, dances around the courtyard along with the others to rein in the demon.
The royalties, invited dignitaries and the tourists together with the villagers from the region are all part of the festivities.
Amid the continuous beating of the drums and blowing of the horns the dancers along with Dorje Sonam struggle to capture ma tum ru ta. The lamas begin to recite the prayers. The demon is represented by a lump of colored dough known as shampa. The victory of Dorje Sonam over the demon symbolizes more than just a re enactment of a myth for the people of Lo. The people believe the conquest over the demon also symbolizes getting rid or conquering their own personal demons. The festival encourages each one of them to start afresh with a clean slate. It inspires them to get rid of envy, jealousy, animosity and hatred they might have for any other human being and to live in harmony with everyone in the world.
The dance performed in the final day is called ra-cham. The ending of the ceremony is marked by the royalties and the courtiers along with villagers, dancers and the monks walk to the furthest of the city. They fire ancient musket, whose sound they believe will scare away the demon. The shampa representing the demon is placed on an ancient torn tiger skin while on the side; the lama performs their ritual dances and prayers. The lamas return the demon onto the realm of Lord Buddha and pray for the peace and prosperity of the whole region and the world.
Teeji celebrates and reaffirms the myth of chasing away the demon. Now, the village is calm and quiet knowing the demon is banished and won’t trouble them for rest of the year.
