Jhakris at the Bonbo National Tourist festival. Picture by Suman Tamang

Darjeeling, Aug. 12: Their mysticism has for long been a well-kept secret of the hills. Now the shamans have come out to give the tourist a taste of their customs and practices.

With ethnic festivals emerging as a top draw for both domestic and international tourists, the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council (DGHC) has decided to highlight the quaint facets of tribal life through the Bonbo National Tourist Festival.

Hundreds of jhakris, (those practicing shamanism), gathered today at Chowrastha in their traditional attire for the one-day tourist festival, providing a rare opportunity for the people to witness the dying rituals and practices that lie at the heart of shamanist beliefs.

As the jhakris went into a trance, the crowd at Chowrastha witnessed a colourful event with the shamans dancing around the podium and beating their Dhyangro (drum) with a curved baton called the Gajo.

The jhakris, who are unique to the hill culture, are known to use their “power” to foretell the future. People also flock to these shamans to avail of “cures” for complicated illnesses.

Earlier in the day, the jhakris from across the subdivision flocked to Dali Fatak, around 4 km from the town, before bringing out a procession that meandered through the town to end at Chowrastha.

Various other social organisations like the Magar Samaj, took part in the procession with its members dressed in traditional attire.

After performing puja at Chowrastha, the jhakris proceeded to the Mahakal temple and then to the Gymkhana Club, where prasad was distributed.

Speaking about the festival, which the DGHC introduced last year, principal secretary of DGHC D.T. Tamlong said: “The event is gaining recognition as a tourist festival and through such functions we can keep the traditions and culture of the Hill communities alive.”

Tamong added that this festival would help to bring the tribal identity and tradition of the Darjeeling hills to the fore.

Pasang Bhutia, the Darjeeling civic chief, also agreed with Tamlong and said that such festivals had to be encouraged as they help to preserve tradition.

Similar functions were also organised in Mirik and Kurseong today.

DGHC councillors, like Bhanu Lama, A.R. Dewan, K.B. Gurung, Gopimaya Gurung and a host of other GNLF leaders were present at the festival today. However, DGHC chairman Subhash Ghisingh could not be present on the occasion.