Stored Damaha echoes with election campaign

By Sher Bahadur Sarki,Bajura, Feb. 18: Damaha drums that had been hung up at the doorsteps of various villages and settlements in Bajura are beginning to be used again.

With the March 5 elections around the corner, candidates have started visiting villages as part of their door-to-door campaigns. As they travel to different settlements, the damaha drums, which had long been stored away at home, have once again come into use.

At present, there is a lively atmosphere of election campaigning in Bajura. Locals say that as candidates arrive in villages for their campaign visits, they are welcomed with the sound of these damaha drums, leading to their renewed use.

Triveni Municipality resident Nari Nepali said, “Candidates have begun their door-to-door programmes in various villages across the district. When they reach the villages for these programmes, our damaha drums are used to welcome them.”

He added, “Previously, at this time of year, during the months of Magh and Falgun and during weddings, as well as in the Nawaratri period of Dashain in Asoj, the damaha used to be played. Nowadays, weddings are rare. Even when they do take place, people tend to bring band music from the towns.”

As band music came to villages, there was a concern that the damaha traditionally used by their forefathers for their livelihood might disappear.

Nepali said that the damaha, which had not been used for a long time, is now being played again to welcome candidates as the election atmosphere intensifies.

At present, various villages in Bajura are resonating with the sound of the damaha. As candidates visit villages, the drum is played to welcome them, and most settlements are echoing with its sound.

Another local resident of Ward- 2 of Triveni Municipality, Hira Nepali, said, “When a candidate comes to the village, we are informed in advance to play the damaha.”He said, “We play the damaha to welcome the candidates. In return for playing the drum, they also give us some money.”

“We used to make the damaha and simply keep it at home. With the rise in election activity, our damaha has also come back into use. It will continue to be played until the election is over. At present, whenever candidates come to the villages, it is played to welcome them. Afterwards, it will only be used in victory processions for the winning candidates,” Nepali added.

Chairperson of the Dalit Network of Triveni Municipality, Bir Bahadur BK, said, “Previously, the damaha was played at village weddings, with performers dressed in traditional attire. Now it is played when candidates come to the villages.”

He added, “At present, most of the drum players have received employment opportunities. Even though it is only for a few days, they are very happy to earn some income by playing the drum. They are pleased to be able to put their skills into practice.”

The damaha is generally played by members of the Nepali Damai, Das and Nagarchi communities during weddings, Dashain and other ceremonies.

For them, the damaha is also a means of earning a livelihood. There was a time when this instrument was on the verge of disappearing here.

Last year, we requested some funds from the local municipalities to help preserve this instrument. When the funds were received, local people made new damaha drums. Those same drums are now being played at various programmes in the villages, BK said.