A QUALITATIVE STUDY OF AN ETHNIC FESTIVAL SAKHA-DAFANGS AMONG THE PURIGPA TRIBE OF THE SHAKAR-CHIKTAN BLOCK OF KARGIL DISTRICT (LADAKH)

Author Name: Imtiyaz Ali Kharpa

Volume/Issue: 02/08

Country: India

DOI NO.: 08.2020-25662434 DOI Link: https://www.doi-ds.org/doilink/01.2022-35551952/UIJIR

Affiliation:

Ph.D Research Scholar , Department of Sociology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, Punjab, India

ABSTRACT

Festivals are an important aspect of any culture because they foster a sense of belonging and solidarity among its members. The Sakha-Dafangs festival was formerly one of the most well-known in the Kargil district, but as time passed, people didn't have enough time to celebrate it, and passed down to future generations. However, in the area of my research, one village (Chiktan) has preserved the Sakha-Dafangs' essence among the people, and they used to celebrate it with zeal and excitement. The subject of this event, which takes place during the last week of February and the first week of March, is dedicated to the arrival of spring in the countryside. The festival's name consists of two words: Sakha and Dafangs. Sakha has two meanings: one is to celebrate the occasion with traditional folk songs and folk dances, and the other is to plough the Sakha Sjing (community field) at the start of the spring season. Sa means land or field, and kha means mouth, so it literally means "opening the mouth of the field." The Dafangs, which means archery, used to have an archery competition in their traditional method to greet the spring season and bid farewell to the cold and chilly winter season.

Key words: Sakha-Dafangs, folksongs, folkdances, Purigpa, Shakar-Chiktan, Kargil.