PAKYONG: Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang-Golay, accompanied by his spouse Krishna Rai, attended the State Level Chasok Tongnam 2024 celebration, organised by the Chasok Tongnam celebration committee at Saramsa Garden, Ranipool on December 14.
The event was graced by the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of Sikkim Legislative Assembly; Cabinet Ministers; MP Lok Sabha; MLAs; Advisors; Zilla Adhyakshas and Upadhyakshas, Mr Yougan Tamang, Press Secretary to CM; heads of departments; dignitaries from various line departments; along with members of the Limboo committee, police personnel, and the general public.
In his address to the gathering, the Chief Minister conveyed his greetings on the occasion, emphasising the importance of the festival and explaining that the ritual is performed to present the new harvest to Goddess Yuma Sammang, along with other deities and ancestors, in gratitude for a bountiful harvest. He highlighted the profound significance of this festival within the Limboo community and urged all attendees to safeguard and preserve their folk traditions, language, and attire, thereby passing their invaluable heritage to future generations.
Furthermore, the Chief Minister proposed an initiative aimed at preserving the rich culture and heritage of the community through the documentation of oral histories and the creation of written works that encapsulate the insights and philosophies of esteemed Limboo intellectuals, ensuring that the community’s narrative is archived and sustained for posterity. He also referenced the Yuma Manghim located in Darap and detailed plans to establish similar Manghims in various locations across the state, thereby underscoring the importance of safeguarding the cultural and spiritual significance of the Limboo community through diverse initiatives.
Additionally, he affirmed that festivals of every community would be observed as state-level events in order to recognise and honour the rich tapestry of cultural traditions while providing necessary support to uplift the community.
At the commencement of the event, the Chief Minister performed puja offerings at the Manghim to invoke blessings and to commence the celebration with positive intentions, followed by a visit to the museum to examine the collectables and artefacts from the historical period.
Additionally, Dr Indra Hang Subba, MP Lok Sabha, extended his gratitude to the attendees and commended the state government for their unwavering support in the Chasok Tongnam celebration. He appreciated the declaration of Chasok Tongnam, as a gazetted holiday, underlining its positive impact in fostering community unity.
Furthermore, Mr Bal Muringla, Associate Professor, Sikkim University, provided brief information on the Chasok Tongnam festival, wherein the commemoration of the offering for the first harvest to the Limbu ancestral goddess, Yuma Sammang, along with other deities, takes place. This sacred occasion serves as a prayer for the welfare of humanity, prosperity, abundant harvests, and happiness.
He further underscored that in Yakthungpan (Limboo language), ‘cha’ translates to grain, while ‘sok’ means to offer, highlighting the festival’s deep cultural significance and its role in fostering community values and agricultural gratitude, which also entails asking for forgiveness from nature for destroying non-human beings during the process of agriculture.
The key feature of the day was the release of the 53rd and 54th editions of the Limboo news bulletin ‘INGSA.’ Various cultural performances were also showcased from various regions, including Lamdhan Samlo (Welcome Song), Tumyehang Samlo, Tam-okkay Samlo and Yarak Samlo.
- IPR Report
