The forgotten customs that thrived in the era before the advent of telephones and mobile services in my village are a testament to a bygone culture. In those days, whenever a family member passed away, the news had to be conveyed to relatives through the efforts of one or two individuals. In cases where the head of the family, such as a father or mother, had kin scattered across various corners of the world, it was imperative to dispatch envoys known as "KANG-THUNG-PA" to deliver this somber news. These envoys would undertake journeys spanning three to four days on foot to ensure the message reached all concerned parties.
However, if the relatives lived in distant lands, the news might go unnoticed, only coming to light years later. The absence of an envoy following a person's demise led to verbal disputes known as "heta yang mey," where the surviving family members would need to seek forgiveness, or "Shakpa," by offering a monetary recompense to the deceased person's relatives. This cultural practice held significant importance in that era, as it cemented the bonds between relatives and prevented them from faltering in times of need.
The role of an envoy could be discerned by a specific indicator: a kabney, a male Bhutanese tie, discreetly tucked within the KHANANG, a pocket formed by the traditional male Bhutanese dress known as "gho," with its fringes extending outward. If one encountered an individual with this distinctive appearance, it was a clear sign that someone had passed away, and the person was embarking on a journey as an envoy.
Despite the strides made by technological advancements in enhancing people's lives, it's important to acknowledge that we've relinquished remarkable narratives from the past. Recently, I had the privilege of transcribing the ancestral anecdotes shared by my father-in-law as we leisurely sipped on ara, a local wine. I'm indebted to him for imparting this heritage, and I eagerly anticipate further revelations to share with the visitors of my blog.
