SHAMANISM AND MASTO TRADITIONAL PRACTICES OF NEPAL
In Matwali Chhetri languages, Dhami is known as Dangri. They follow Hindu traditional style in term of Gods and Goddesses and they worship natural God power Istadevi (specilly God) which is called Masto. They have Mastos Bung Masto, Kanwa Masto, Wawira Masto, Tharpa Masto, Dangthya Masto, Rakshak Masto, Jaleshwar Masto, Van Masto, Bhuiyar Masto, Kulyan Masto and Pitri Masto. The major Masto of tham are Pitri Masto and Kulyan Masto. They call Masto of dead ealatives as pitri Masto.
Mattwari Chhetri of western parts of Nepal name priests as Dangri. Dangri should haave long topknife (tupi). Tupi includes gold, silver, bones of birdsand animalsetc. It is regarded as power of God. Dangri uses bells of iron, copper, brass and with the help of this bell, it is believed that they throw away evil souls.
Dangri uses assistant called Thali who plays a drum (Damaha) and recites tantra and mantra. Thali plays drum landly and fastly when soul of God Goddesses enter into the body of Dangri. Thalis can be fice to six in number. Dangri does not feel of hot and cold while souls of Gods and Goddesses remain inside the body. At this stage, Dangri can also dance in fire. Dangri blesses people with teeka (made up of curd and rice). This practice can be seen in Kartike Purnima (full moon of November) and Baishak Purnima (full moon of April) every year. Next morning, people offer food and sacrifice of animals male goat, cock hen ect. to Gods for the sky of wellbeing of family. Last day, in the evening, they errect lingo (made by long tree).
Author: Bhim Kumar Rai
ISBN No.: 9789937267571
Pages: 166
Provided by VBS
US$ 8.85
