Tangsibi Mani

When it happens

Tangsibi Mani is observed in the first month of the Bhutanese calendar, which usually runs from late winter into early spring. The festival usually falls around early March, on dates that shift each year with the lunar calendar.

Where it happens

Tangsibi is a chiwog (village) in Bumthang, home to a small community of about 350 residents. The festival is held at its village lhakhang (temple), Dechenling Lhakhang. Tangsibi Mani is often counted as a village lhakhang observance rather than a tshechu (a festival honouring Guru Rinpoche) held at a dzong (fortress).

History

Local people hold that Tangsibi Mani was founded by Sherab Mebar, that it is more than 700 years old and that it is among the oldest festivals in Bumthang. Its mask dances and folk dances are traditionally attributed to compositions by Sherab Mebar.

Unlike villages hit by out-migration, Tangsibi keeps strong participation in its festival. Households are increasing, and young people are staying on after secondary school.

Rituals

As its name suggests, Tangsibi Mani is usually described as a mani, a village festival built around recitation of the Mani mantra.

Tangsibi has three sacred mask dances that residents say are not performed in any other district. The festival concludes with the unfurling of a sacred thongdrel (a large religious appliqué) and the public display of holy relics.

Being there

Tangsibi is visited from Jakar, Bumthang’s main town and its road and service hub. Bumthang is reached on the east-west highway from Trongsa.

Tangsibi Mani is usually described as a small, largely local community festival, without the scale of the Jakar, Thimphu and Paro tshechus.