A Brief Narrative on Lhasel (Bon Oblation) of Jaray Gewog

Personal Recollection and Commentary
(June 17, 2018)

With the end of Saga Dawa (Fourth Month of Lunar Calander)the unison sing song verse of "Wayo Wayo" had already began in villages of Jaray Gewog. The tenth, eleventh, and twelfth day of fifth month is special part of cultural bonanza for people of Jaray. Cultural bonanza I'm meaning here is splendour of reenacting the epic visit of Bon Lha centuries ago. In my heart, I could hear the child within me sing the verse aloud from hills of Yedang. Thanks to the rich culture.

Lhasel (oblation to Lha Bon) starts from India from first month of the year and end in Tibet in last month of Lunar calander. Looking at celebration timing and places in Bhutan Lha Bon (Bonpo/God of Bon) travelled from Zhamgang via Ura to Jaray, Metsho, Tangmachu, Minjay, parts of upper Kurtoe, and headed to Tibet subsequently. From this point of view Lha Bon reached our village in fifth Month, at Metsho sometimes in sixth Month, Tangmachu and Minjay in seventh Month and so on.
According to Oral history the Bonpo/Bon Lha flew from Ura to Yumchay on a piece of fir plank on a mission to marry Naja of Yumchay. At Ura, Bumthamg, he transformed himself to cockerel/rooster to feed on the cereals dried in the sun. Woman weaving nearby threw weaving beater to shoo away the rooster which hit his head and left deep scar from cut.

Upon reaching Yumchay people did not leave him in peace and he could not marry the Naja of Yumchay. He was either invited or forcefully taken to different places in villages. In effort to run and hide from disturbances he left a foot print at Hachu (below Ladrong Primary School) in pretext to going to other direction and returned to towards Ladrong. He hid in cave of Haibrahu (cave of god)(which is few minutes from Thamtong) and later married to Naga or the local deity  and settled at Haigot (jungle of god) in Ladrong. A representation/idol of Bon Lha still exist in the form of stone.
The whole celebration of Lhasel is a appease Bon Lha and re-enact his historical visit.

Commentary

1. Wayo Wayo (Verse of Bon)
The phrase "Wayo Wayo be" sung to begin the whole sing-song verse of Wayo is unintelligible and doesn't have any connection to modern day language. Possibly, it could be lost language of Bon or secret mantra of Bonism to appease and call Bon Lha.

2. Toponyms
Many places are named in the memory of Bon Lhas visit and stay. Places such as Habang, Halong, Hachulung, Haibrahu, Hachu, and Haigot are specifically related to Bon Lha.

3. Prevalence of Yungdrungs
Many big rocks that are accessible for people such as cow herder has Yungdrung (Yurung in local tongue) engraved on its surface. It's origin can be possibly traced to visit of Bon Lha as Yungdrung is symbol of Bonism. Names such as Yurung Dhowa are named after it.

4. Food and Oblation
The special food usually served during three days celebration of Lha is Bjangbuling. Traditionally it was served in green leaves of banana rolled in conical shape. Foods are never offered in alter or other Buddhist God/Goddess and prayers of grace are never said. It is instead offered to Lha Drablha (must be name of Bonpo/Bonlha)with the grace "Khokho Dhungkho zhay."
Aum, that resembles hoof/hoof print of cows and representation of sheeps are made and offered to Bon Lha on early hours of tenth day with tuneful singing of Wayo and smoke oblation.

5. Phallus
Phallus play important role in seeking spiritual solace. Particularly in Bon oblation of Nanglakharchung phallus are profoundly used. They are seen hanging on the bundles of thatch (Pir in local tongue)carried by men. It is also used to enact different scenes. Phallus are erected in fields in faith to ward off malicious harms for bounty harvest.

6. Type
Of two Bonisim types, white Bon (Bon Kar) and black Bon (Bon Nak), Bon oblation of Nanglakarchung fits to the description of Bon Kar speaking from the point of view of absence of animal sacrifice.