The traditional “Dhan Nach” of the Yakthung (Limbu) community, originally from eastern Nepal, is now at risk of disappearing. In the Yakthung (Limbu) community, during various rituals marking moments of joy and sorrow, as well as during fairs, festivals, and celebrations, young men and women would join hands, forming a circle to dance the Dhan Nach.
Until the 1950s, this dance was extremely popular, but in recent times, it has been in danger of fading away, according to Sam Thamden, the president of Kirat Yakthung Chumlung Myanglung Municipality. He explained that in the past, the Dhan Nach was not limited to fairs and weddings but was also performed by young men and women who would gather at specific places to dance. However, today, such dances are rarely seen. Over time, Dhan Nach has become confined to organized events and stages or video productions.
The Dhan Nach is considered an esteemed cultural dance of the Yakthung (Limbu) community, says Sesehang Hukpa Chongbang, the president of Kirat Yakthung Chumlung. According to him, before starting the Dhan Nach, the relationship between the man and woman is confirmed. If any misunderstanding arises between them during the dance, they must apologize and seek forgiveness.
During the dance, a song called “Palam” is sung, which is an essential part of the Dhan Nach. The song is sung in a question-and-answer format between the men’s and women’s groups. The lyrics discuss themes like the creation of the world, the development of human civilization, tales from the “Mundhum” (traditional Limbu scripture), and topics of love and relationships.
Through the question-and-answer format of “Palam,” love develops, and marriages sometimes result. Chongbang further shared, “In Yakthung (Limbu) villages, couples who met and got married while singing Palam during the rice dance still exist today.”
According to experts on the history and culture of the Yakthung (Limbu) community, the tradition of rice dancing began when humans entered the agricultural era. As described in the “Mundhum,” after a bird named “Phangbhagna” brought rice seeds to the people, they began farming. However, the crops were soon eaten by birds. To protect their harvest, the people devised a new method by gathering the rice in a “Khala” (a storage place). Young men and women would gather, hold hands, form a circle, and begin stomping the rice while chanting “Chhui Ha. Ha..”
This chant later evolved into the “Palam” song, and the act of rice stomping became known as “Yalak” (rice stomping), which eventually became the “Yalang” Dhan Nach. Today, the place where the rice dance is performed is still called a “Khala,” and the chant “Chhui Ha.. Ha..” or “Hai Ha.. Ha..” is used during the dance, as explained by long-time Dhan Nach preservationist Radha Fombo.
Tara Bahadur Kandangwa, the coordinator of the Yakthung Tangnam Preservation Committee, expressed sorrow over the fading of this traditional rice dance, which is a vital part of Yakthung (Limbu) identity. He emphasized that due to the growing influence of Western culture, the youth are forgetting not only the Dhan Nach but also other indigenous cultural practices, and there is a need to focus on preserving these cultural treasures.