Sonam Lhosar
{{Short description|New year festival of Hyolmo people of Nepal}}
{{Infobox holiday
| holiday_name = Sonam Lhochhar
| image = Tamang Sonam Lochhar 2018 DC (39446275955) (1) cropped.jpg
| caption = Sonam Lhosar celebration
| nickname =
| observedby = Tamang and Hyolmo communities
| date = Magh Shukla Pratipada
| observances =
| celebrations =
|significance = Tamang New Year
| type =
| frequency = Annual
| longtype = Tamang festival
}}
Sonam Lhosar is a New Year's day festival of the Tamang and Hyolmo people of Nepal as well as Sikkim and Darjeeling regions of India. It falls on the second new moon after the winter solstice which is usually the Magh Sukla Pratipada based on the eastern lunar calendar.
Years are associated with 12 different animals - Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Eagle, Snake, Horse, Goat/Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Boar.{{Cite journal| last = Acharya| first = Bed Raj| title = Indigenous Geometrical Knowledge of Tamang Community from Their Cultural Practices}}{{Cite web| title = Sonam Lhosar:The Festival of Tamang| work = Ace the Himalaya| accessdate = 2021-02-17| date = 2014-01-31| url = https://www.acethehimalaya.com/sonam-lhosar-the-festival-of-tamang/}} Historically, the festival is celebrated after harvesting the crops.{{Cite web| title = लोसारको भ्रम र वास्तविकता| accessdate = 2021-02-17| url = http://annapurnapost.com/news/88655}}
Activities
In Sonam Lhosar the Hyolmo people visit monasteries and stupas sacrifice themselves meanwhile special rituals with mask dance are performed to drive away evil spirits. The houses and surroundings are cleaned to welcome gods and goddesses.
Beef, pork, chicken, mutton, fish, and sweet desserts are consumed in the Sonam Lhosar. Khapsey and Babar (kind a like chapati but made of rice) and Thongsey are mainly eaten in Hyolmo Community.
File:Tamang Sonam Losar 2019.jpg
People wear traditional dresses and jewellery to participate in cultural events and exchange the greetings with each another. Tamang Selo and the Damphu is played in the festival for dance. Syabru is commonly dance in Hyolmo Community.{{Cite web| title = Sonam Lhosar:The Festival of Tamang| work = Ace the Himalaya| access-date = 2021-02-17| date = 2014-01-31| url =https://www.acethehimalaya.com/sonam-lhosar-the-festival-of-tamang/}}
See also
- Sonam Lhosar, New Year's day of Tamang and Hyolmo people
- Gyalpo Lhosar, New Year's day of Sherpa people
- Tamu Lhosar, New Year's day of Gurung people
- Lhosar, Tibetan New Year's day
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://en.setopati.com/social/115315 Photos]
{{New Year by Calendar}}
Category:New Year celebrations
Category:Buddhist festivals in Nepal