Youth of Jajarkot engaged in preserving indigenous art and culture

By Basudev Sharma,Jajarkot, Sept. 29: The youth of Jajarkot have engaged in preserving indigenous art and culture.  Young people and students from seven local levels of Jajarkot have started working to safeguard their local art and culture. They are striving to save traditions that are gradually disappearing.

As festivals, weddings, sacred thread ceremonies, and fairs that once echoed with the sounds of cultural practices have begun to fade, the local youth have launched a campaign to preserve these old traditions.  To ensure that the ancestral customs of sharing joys and sorrows through folk culture, which reflect the importance of village life, do not vanish, the younger generation and students have begun learning them.

Janak KC, Chairperson of the Jajarkot Heritage Preservation Foundation, said that the folk art and culture passed down by ancestors portray the true essence of village life.  According to him, after noticing the gradual disappearance of local folk tunes, musical instruments like Madal, Tyamko, Bansuri, Bhiyali, and traditional Newar art forms from fairs, festivals, weddings, and ceremonies, the foundation has launched a preservation campaign. He added that, along with safeguarding ancient heritage, the foundation has prioritised local cultural practices in its programmes to protect Jajarkot’s identity not only in Nepal but also internationally.

 Under this initiative, the younger generation of youth and students are being taught by the older generation as mentors. Preservation of local heritage and culture in villages is expected to attract tourists and improve the income of the locals. 

He further added that conserving these valuable assets, such as the folk tunes once sung while collecting firewood, grass, and fodder on the hillsides, is essential for promoting tourism and has provided inspiration and energy to the youth.

KC also shared that the Jajarkot Heritage Preservation Foundation has started teaching young people traditional art forms such as Sigaru, Lahare Paisyari, and Sorathi in Bheri Municipality, Khyali in Nalgad Municipality, Deuda in Junichande Rural Municipality, Maruni Dance in Shivalaya Rural Municipality, Dari Khel, Mangal, Hiudale Bhaka, and Thandi Bhaka in Barekot Rural Municipality and Mayur Dance in Chedagad Municipality.

Under the seven local levels, secondary school students have become actively involved in preserving old art and culture. Khadkabahadur Budha, a social worker from Chedagad Municipality-8, has appealed to the concerned authorities and local governments to support the preservation of old art and culture. Currently, secondary school children are undergoing training.