𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐰 (𝐞𝐠𝐠) 𝐅𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐥: 𝐀 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐢𝐜𝐡 𝐂𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐋𝐡𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐬𝐞 𝐃𝐳𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐤𝐡𝐚𝐠

…𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒅𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒖𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒃𝒐𝒏𝒅𝒔 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉 𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒒𝒖𝒆 𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒖𝒂𝒍𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒐𝒇𝒇𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔 𝒂𝒄𝒓𝒐𝒔𝒔 𝑮𝒆𝒘𝒐𝒈𝒔

By Kezang choden

The Prew (Egg) Festival, a vibrant and deeply rooted cultural event, is being celebrated across all the gewogs in Lhuntse Dzongkhag. Marked on the 13th day of the 4th month in the Bhutanese calendar, the festival’s main celebrations commence on the 9th day of the 4th month, drawing villagers to their respective gewog’s Lhakhang for a series of rituals and offerings. This festival is unique to Lhuntse and is celebrated with fervor and devotion. It honors the ancient traditions and beliefs of the local communities, who gather at their gewog’s Lhakhangs to perform rituals led by elders and religious leaders. These ceremonies involve prayers, chants, and offerings to the gods, aiming to invoke blessings for the well-being and prosperity of the community.

As the celebrations progress from the 9th day of the 4th month, each gewog’s Lhakhang becomes a focal point of activity. Villagers, dressed in their finest traditional attire, participate in elaborate rituals, communal prayers, and festive gatherings. The event is marked by the unique custom of boiling eggs that have been dyed red, a practice believed to hold significant religious meaning. For months leading up to the festival, families meticulously store and prepare their eggs, ensuring they are ready for the big day. The red coloring, symbolizing the religious scarf, adds a vibrant and symbolic touch to the celebrations. This longstanding tradition not only strengthens communal bonds but also serves as a reminder of the shared cultural heritage that unites the community.

Lhamo, a 69-year-old resident of Maenbi Gewog, shared insights into a unique local festival that intertwines traditional rituals with communal celebrations. According to Lhamo, the festival begins with an offering to the gods, consisting solely of a boiled egg accompanied by wild mushrooms. This humble yet meaningful offering is an essential part of the rituals, symbolizing purity and the bounty of nature. “The joy and camaraderie experienced during these gatherings are unparalleled,” Lhamo remarked. “We celebrate to the fullest, much like any other festival, creating cherished memories and strengthening communal bonds.” Residents gather together, sharing a variety of dishes and drinks, and indulge in merrymaking.

Gup Tshering Wangdi of Khoma Gewog shared that the revered Prew Festival is a cherished tradition celebrated from generation to generation. The festival, deeply rooted in the local culture, begins with the offering of eggs and butter lamps to the gods, symbolizing prosperity and good fortune. “The Prew Festival is a time for us to focus on good deeds and positive actions. It’s a moment for our community to come together, to celebrate and enjoy the company of our relatives and neighbors,” said Wangdi.

The Prew Festival serves as a vital link to the past, preserving the cultural heritage of Khoma while fostering a sense of communal harmony. The festival continues to be a cherished event, fostering a sense of belonging and continuity among all who participate. It not only strengthens familial bonds but also reinforces the shared values and beliefs that define all the gewogs under Lhuntse Dzongkhag.