Healing the Earth and Our Communities Through Indigenous Traditions Bhutia Tradition from Sikkim, India

Join Khandro Tsering Wangmo Khymsar and her special guest, Ajho Mingma Tshering, for Ligmincha International’s third Indigenous Healing Traditions conversation. A traditional healer, storyteller and “good-sayer” of the Bhutia tradition from Sikkim India, Ajho Mingma Tshering will introduce his unique culture, one hidden from the eyes of the Westerners.

This conversation takes place in two parts: Saturday, April 29 and Sunday, April 30 from 11:00AM to 12:30PM, New York time, on Zoom. The conversation will be in Bhutia language with English, Spanish, Hungarian and Chinese translation.

Saturday, April 29: Ajho Mingma Tshering will share the origins, beliefs and culture of Bhutia tradition

Sunday, April 30: Ajho Mingma Tshering will talk about his role in his community and the ceremonies he performs.

There will be opportunities to ask questions on both days.

Stay tuned for updates on interpretation into other languages. Our event takes place in two parts, on both Saturday, April 29, and Sunday, April 30 from 11:00AM to 12:30 PM, New York time.

About Ajho Mingma Tshering:

Ajho Mingma Tshering is a renowned figure in the Gangtok region of Sikkim, a state in India. He is known for his many-faceted personality, wisdom and skillful speech. A vivid story and event teller of past events and legends, his adventures and experiences with the regionally famous 12th Denjong Chogyal (the last absolute monarch of Sikkim), his travel to the Tiger’s Nest Monastery in Bhutan as an official representative of Phuenkhang Lhacham Kushyo (also known as the “Iron Lady of Sikkim), and good and glorious moments with the leadership of the three local villages are wonderful stories richly told.

Especially skillful in Sikkimese marriage and death rituals, Ajhola is eloquent in ritual verbal invocations, called ’ngaji’, ’labden’ or ’shelen’. An energetic Pangtoebo, one who invokes the local guardian during the mystical festival of “Pang Lhaboaol”, he is widely referred to by contemporaries’ by names such as ’Englishman’ or ’Helicopter’ for various, remarkable moments of yesteryears associated with him. Ajho Mingma Tshering-la is a living repository and encyclopedia of Gangtok and the Gangtokians, an asset.

Moderator of the event: Khandro Tsering Wangmo Khymsar

Khandro Tsering Wangmo Khymsar is deeply steeped in the life, rituals and traditions of Yungdrung Bön religion and culture. Khandro-la is known for her personal warmth and vibrant laugh, using personal stories and experiences in her teaching to combine spiritual and practical knowledge. She is the wife of Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche. They live together in California with their son, Senghe. Khandro-la has a degree in social services and is deeply involved in education, community building and support for the homeless in the Berkeley, CA area.

Background of Bhutia people

The Bhutia are a community of people living in the state of Sikkim, in northeastern India. Bhutia here refers to people of Tibetic ancestry. There are many clans within the Bhutia tribe and Inter-clan marriages are preferred rather than marriages outside of the tribe. Their language is Drenjongke, or Sikkimese, a Tibetic language. The Bhutias are followers of Vajrayana Buddhism.

The traditional and most important festival of the Bhutias in India called Losoong, it marks the end of harvest season. Loosong celebrated every year in December by the traditional Cham dances and merry-making across the monasteries in Bhutan, Nepal and Sikkim.

The costume or traditional outfit of Bhutias is the bakhu (same like the Tibetan chuba), which is a loose cloak type garment fastened at the neck on one side and near the waist with a silk/cotton belt. Male members array the bakhu with loose trousers. Women wear the bakhu with a silken full sleeve blouse called a honju; a loose gown type garment fastened tight near the waist with a belt. In the front portion, a loose sheet of multicolored woolen cloth with exotic geometric designs is tied. This is called the pangden and is a symbol of a married woman. This traditional outfit is complemented by embroidered leather boots worn by both men and women.