Drametse Monastery
Monggar
Drametse Monastery, located in Monggar, eastern Bhutan, is renowned for the Drametse Ngacham, a sacred mask dance performed biannually during the Drametse festival. This monastery is closely associated with the Ogyen Tegchok Namdroel Choeling Monastery and honors the 8th-century Buddhist master Padmasambhava. The dance features sixteen masked male dancers wearing monastic robes and wooden masks depicting both real and mythical animals, accompanied by ten musicians playing traditional Bhutanese instruments including cymbals, trumpets, and various drums. The performance is divided into two parts: a calm, contemplative segment representing peaceful deities, and a rapid, athletic segment symbolizing wrathful deities. The dance has been performed for nearly five centuries and has become a symbol of Bhutanese national identity. It was inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2008, highlighting its cultural importance and the efforts to preserve it amid challenges such as dwindling practitioners and youth interest. Preservation initiatives include training programs, documentation, and promotional activities coordinated by the Royal University of Bhutan, supported by international funding.
Planifica tu viaje a Bután con IA
Crea un itinerario detallado en minutos. La IA sugiere los mejores lugares, restaurantes y una ruta optimizada.
Consejo: Visitors should plan to attend the Drametse festival held twice yearly according to the Bhutanese calendar (fifth and tenth months) to experience the Drametse Ngacham dance live. Booking tickets in advance is advisable due to the festival's cultural significance and limited performance dates. Visitors may also benefit from guided tours explaining the dance's symbolism and the monastery's spiritual heritage. Dress respectfully and be mindful of monastery customs during visits. Seasonal weather in eastern Bhutan can affect accessibility, so checking local conditions beforehand is recommended.
Datos interesantes
- •The Drametse Ngacham dance features sixteen masked male dancers and ten musicians playing traditional Bhutanese instruments.
- •The dance consists of two parts: a peaceful, contemplative section and a rapid, athletic section representing wrathful deities.
- •The dance is performed twice a year during the Drametse festival in the fifth and tenth months of the Bhutanese calendar.
- •It was inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2008.
- •Preservation efforts include a project coordinated by the Royal University of Bhutan funded by the Japanese Funds-in-Trust through UNESCO.
Historia
The Drametse Ngacham dance has been performed for almost five centuries, originating in the village of Drametse in eastern Bhutan.
By the late nineteenth century, the dance began spreading beyond its local origins to other parts of Bhutan.
In 2005, it was proclaimed intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO and officially inscribed in 2008.
Over time, concerns about declining numbers of practitioners and reduced interest among youth led to preservation efforts, including training and documentation projects coordinated by Bhutanese cultural institutions with international support.
Guía del lugar
Main Shrine (Soeldep Cham)
The main shrine of the monastery where the dancers first perform a prayer dance before proceeding to the courtyard. It is the spiritual heart of the Drametse Ngacham performance.
Monastery Courtyard
The open space where the sixteen masked dancers appear one by one and perform the two-part Drametse Ngacham dance, showcasing both peaceful and wrathful deities through intricate choreography and traditional masks.