Darjeeling, Feb. 2: Welcome 2839, year of the sheep. Goodbye year of the Horse.

The Tamangs have jumpstarted their fading festivals and put them back on the road to recovery by heralding in their New Year with five days of festivities

The Nepali tribesmen’s response to the All-India Tamang Buddhist Association (AITBA) call, to celebrate their festivals, was overwhelming.

“Our community has welcomed the call and we have started reviving our traditions, which was almost lost. Instead of putting sindoor, married women have started wearing chandra har (a silver necklace) and have started tying Pangden, a traditional cloth). Many in the community have also started wearing traditional dresses such as Khangha and Tagi (headgear) during marriages and other social functions,” said Nima Dorjee Lama, joint secretary of the All-India Tamang Buddhist Association.

Steeped more in religion than in festivities, most of the Tamangs in the hills heralded the New Year at home by offering khada (Tibetan scarf) to Lhasham (deity) by using Kokomando (flower).

Following all the rites laid down in scriptures for Lochar elders blessed the younger members of the family and sprinkled chamar (an elixir) which is a mixture of milk and honey.

Many offered prayers at monasteries in the locality early today morning. Women kept themselves buy preparing special delicacies like kochi babar and kaphasi (bread).

Phurba Lama, a resident of Darjeeling said: “Tamangs in places like Tindharia and Mungsong in Kalimpong subdivision observe Lochar by organising open-air functions in. The Tamang Association in Darjeeling has decided to host a function on similar lines on February 9. We could not do so today due to unavoidable circumstances. Through such functions we aim to bring about unity among our community.”

A three-day International conference was recently organised of the community at Kathmandu in Nepal. Representatives from eight countries were present at the meet.

“Many in our community were not aware of our own traditions and now that we are delving into our history and reviving our traditions, they realise the importance to knowing their roots. This realisation has encourage3d mass participation,” Lama said.

The Tamangs, a Buddhist community, had boycotted Dusshera last year, because it was a “Hindu festival”.

The AITBA had also called upon the members of the community to refrain from following Hindu traditions including the use of vermilion by married women.