Hudke dance revived in Humla

By Our Correspondent,Humla, Dec. 19: The famous Hudke dance of the Karnali region and Sudurpaschim Province is now being promoted in Humla, a Himalayan district of Karnali.

As the younger generation has begun learning the Hudke dance from the older generation and performing it, efforts toward its preservation and promotion have gained momentum.

Until some time ago, the Hudke dance was on the verge of extinction, but it is now being preserved and promoted, said Jas Bahadur Damai of Simkot Rural Municipality-2.

 Damai, 54, said that as young people learn the Hudke dance from elders and perform it in public spaces, the tradition is being preserved and skills are being passed on to the next generation. 

He also thanked the youth involved in its preservation, noting that since this dance has been performed by their ancestors, its disappearance would have meant the loss of the Damai community’s identity.

He further added that although the Hudke dance was traditionally performed mostly during birth and death rituals, it is now also being performed at public programmes.

 The youth now arrange traditional costumes, attire, and the Hudko drum themselves while performing the dance.

Bela BK of Adanchuli Rural Municipality-2 said that in the past, when the dance was needed, members of the Damai community had to be specially invited, but nowadays people prepare on their own and actively participate in performing the dance at such events. 

She said the community’s initiative to preserve their traditional dance themselves as commendable.

At present, villages inhabited by Chhetri, Brahmin, and other communities are also resonating with the sounds of the Hudke dance.