Birth and Death Ceremony : March 08, 2022

March 8, 2022

Consider the following statements:
1. In Kinnaur, the custom of getting together at the house of the dead at night is known as ‘Lam Kunyal’.
2. In Kinnaur, the dead body is bathed in a large vessel called ‘Drum Rating’.
3. In sham funeral, a life size effigy is made on a wooden frame.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?

(A) 1 only
(B) 2 and 3 only
(C) 3 only
(D) All of the above

Show Answer

ANSWER – C

In Kinnaur when someone dies, all villagers get together at his house at night. This custom is known as “Drum Rating”.

The dead body is then bathed in a large vessel called “Lam Kunyal” and then wrapped up in a white shroud.

Sometime when medicine have failed and death is certain, a “sham funeral” is arranged. In this, life size effigy is made on a wooden frame plastered round with barley dough.

In which of the following valleys, the Jhanvar (witch doctor) is called to find out whether the body should be burnt, buried or cut into pieces?

(A) Lahaul valley
(B) Spiti valley
(C) Kinnaur
(D) Sangla valley

Show Answer

ANSWER – B

In the Spiti valley when someone dies, the Jhanvar’ (witch doctor) is called to find out whether the body should be burnt, buried or cut into pieces and thrown upon hill tops for the wild animals to consume. All communities in the Spiti valley follow the orders of the Jhanvar.

Match List 1 and List 2 and choose the correct answer
LIST 1 (FUNERAL)
A. Dubant
B. Bhakhant
C. Phukant
LIST 2 (TYPE)
1. Throwing the dead body in open fields
2. Burning the dead
3. Drowning the dead body
Code:

(A) A-2 , B-3 , C-1
(B) A-1 , B-2 , C-3
(C) A-3 , B-1 , C-2
(D) A-2 , B-1 , C-3

Show Answer

ANSWER – C

It is only in Kinnaur where three forms of customs were performed regarding the death of a person and his cremation, as.

Dubant: Drowning the dead body in the nearby river.

Bhakhant: Throwing the dead body in open fields and let it be eaten by vultures and birds.

Phukant: Burning the dead.

Consider the following statements:
1. At the end of seven weeks period, the Lama and priest read the text together and are then fed.
2. On the third day, after death, the ‘Chholya ceremony’ and on the thirteenth day, ‘Fulayach’ ceremony is performed.
3. ‘Damkochang’ ceremony is performed after one year of the death.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?

(A) 1 only
(B) 2 and 3 only
(C) 3 only
(D) All of the above

Show Answer

ANSWER – D

At the end of seven weeks period, the Lama and Jomo (an unmarried girl who becomes ascetic) read the text together and are then fed by the family of the dead man.

On the third day, after death, the ‘Chholya ceremony’ and on the thirteenth day, ‘Damkochang’ is performed.

A year after the death, the Lama performs the Fulayach (or the Dalhyang) ceremony, at which he gets food and clothes in the name of the dead.

Which of the following birth ceremonies is related to the birth of a male child only?

(A) Goontar
(B) Shukud
(C) Badhai
(D) Annaparashan

Show Answer

ANSWER – B

The well to do celebrate the occasion of birth with great fanfare. They call the ceremony “GOONTAR”.

In the Kinnaur area, the well to do bring the planquins of the gods within their house after a male child is delivered and feast the villagers. This custom is known as “Shukud”. At this time, a goat may be sacrificed.