TAMU CULTURE DAY तमु संस्कृति दिवस 2022

Date : Nov 1, 2022

Posted By : Admin

Event Description :

Tamu Culture Day 2022 was celebrated by Tamu Samaj Victoria (Australia) community from 10 am to 5 pm on Sunday 23 October 2022 at Coburg Harriers Athletic Club,  Coburg North VIC 3058, Australia. More than 250+ people across Melbourne as well as family visitors from overseas (Nepal) got together to discover, share and celebrate Tamu (Gurung) identity and culture in Melbourne. The weather was great for planned indoor and outdoor activities.

 

Some highlights of the day were –

• Tamu Ancestor Pooja (तमु पितृ पुजा), very first time organized to demonstrate the way Tamu people do their annual ancestor pooja during Dashain week (mostly on Fulpati day and around). TSV’s past president Mr Pahalman Gurung and his family prepared the items necessary for the pooja beforehand and led the prayers on the day. It was great to learn a few new things about the ritual.

• Poong Khane (पुङ खाने), traditional Tamu engagement ceremony demonstration was led by TSV Vice-President Mabi Gurung and a few volunteers for boy’s as well as girl’s sides. Basically, the boy’s side family members and relatives visit with some gifts such as home made spirit/wine (रक्सी,तमु भाषामा पा), yogurt (दहि), selroti (सेलरोटी), fruits (फलफुल), etc. Some discussion and negotiation about suitability of the proposed marriage is carried out together. If girl’s side family members are happy, they proceed to drink the brought in spirit/wine and yogurt as a token of acceptance.

• A presentation on ‘Identity and Culture’ was conducted by Dr Mohan B Gurung. It was a knowledge sharing as well as reminder activity for the community members about the importance of Tamu identity and culture in context of multi-cultural Victoria.

• Tamu cultural dress competition was organized for children under 18 years. Ashima Gurung also performed a wonderful solo dance.

• Dr Arun Gurung gave an update about the Culture Centre project after the lunch, and appealed for urgency to realize it asap. Also, Mr Pahalman Gurung explained a traditional Tamu food set prepared by Amrit/Anita Gurung family.

• Sports activities included Traditional shot put (ठेलो फाल्ने) for Gents (< 45 years and 45+ years old); Pot hitting (घैटो फुटाउने) for Ladies ; and Musical chair (सांगीतिक कु्र्ची) for children.

• Deusi-Bhailo (देउसी-भैलो) program was organized as a part of Tihar festival by community artists and volunteers (Mabi Gurung, Laxman Gurung, Purna Gurung, Manmaya Gurung, Mohini Guurng, Milan Gurung, Gopal Gurung, etc). It consisted of Bhattaune (भट्टाउने नेपाली र तमु भाषामा, Leading the group with traditional intention of Deusi-Bhailo, marking Tihar occasion, extending wishes to the home families, etc) singing, dancing, and fundraising. Many event participants also sang and danced together, moreover contributed $2298 for TSV Cultural Centre project.

• Acknowledgement to talented Cultural Artists (Manmaya Gurung, Krishna Gurung, Jeni Gurung, Nisha Gurung, Poonam Gurung, Susmita Pun, Asmita Gotame Sunchiuri, Suman Gurung, Amrit Gurung, Prince Gurung, and Sam Rana) who represented TSV to showcase Traditional Tamu Dances at Nepal Festival Melbourne 2022 held last month. Lastly, prize/certificate distribution to the winners of various competitions held during the day.

• Community representatives – Bharat Rana from Magar Samaj Victoria, and Yogendra Rai from Kirat Samaj Victoria.

The event coordinators were Arun K Gurung and Laxman Gurung. In addition to The Kathmandu Cottage’s 300 selrotis, free food and drinks were organized by Ama Toli (TSV Mothers’ Group) led by Anita Gurung. Laxman Gurung and Anchita Gurung served as the event MCs. Photography was handled by Saugat Gurung.  Venue setup, decoration and pack up needed many volunteers – Amrit Gurung, Hari Gurung, JB Gurung, Mabi Gurung, Gopal Gurung, Inder Singh Gurung, Mohini Gurung and many more. On sports side, Jum Gurung, Hari Gurung, Mohini Gurung, Milan Gurung, Prem Gurung and others help with coordination. TSV Secretary Mohini Gurung played a key role liaising with venue official, prizes/certificates, social media, announcements, etc. Dr Parbati Gurung was the onsite first-aid officer. TSV Treasurer Inder Singh Gurung helped with memberships, donations and fund handling. Especially, recent encouraging sign for TSV is that many more new faces including youths actively contributed to the success of the event. As a flagship annual TSV event, Tamu (Gurung) attire was encouraged, and many young and old proudly wore and did look great.

 

On a couple of acknowledgements, TSV received a multicultural event grant worth $2000 in small event category from Victorian Government. We would like to acknowledge and thank for continually supporting our events. To the venue provider, Coburg Harriers Athletic Club, who provided a lots of support on the day despite many unforeseen logistics issue (furniture, kitchen, outdoor pitch, etc). The venue was great after the recent renovation, and very well suited the event activities.

 

Lastly we would like to thank everyone and look forward to see you all at our next grand event Tamu Lho-Chhar (तमु ल्होछार/ल्होसार) soon. As always, please feel free to reach out to anyone in the TSV leadership group (Executive, Board, Advisors, Mothers’ Group) for any comments/advice.

 

 

Thank you
Tamu Samaj Victoria (Australia)