GANGTOK,: The State-level Chasok Tongnam celebration will be held at Saramsa Garden on December 14, the celebration committee here informed on Thursday.
Chasok Tongnam is a significant festival of Limboo community, primarily celebrated in Sikkim, Nepal and other regions with a Limboo population. It holds deep cultural, spiritual and agricultural importance for the community.
Celebration committee president A.B. Subba thanked Chief Minister P.S. Golay and the State government for declaring Chasok Tongnam as a public holiday. He urged the Limboo community, as well as other communities from Sikkim and neighboring hills to come and be part of the festival.
Advisor Bal Muringla highlighted the significance of the festival.
He said, “Chasok Tongnam is a harvest festival that marks the end of the agricultural season. It is a time to thank nature and the deities for a successful harvest and to seek blessings for prosperity in the coming year. The festival showcases the rich cultural traditions of the Limboo people, including their music, dance and attire. It is a way to preserve and promote Limbu identity and heritage.”
“The Limboo people use this occasion to honor their ancestors and deities, such as Tagera Ningwaphuma, the supreme god in their tradition. Offerings are made to express gratitude and seek protection and guidance. Chasok Tongnam brings communities together to celebrate and share joy. Families and communities prepare special foods and participate in communal activities, strengthening bonds.”
“Since the festival is tied to agriculture, it highlights the importance of organic and sustainable farming practices, which are integral to Limboo traditional knowledge. Celebrating Chasok Tongnam is also a statement of pride in the Limboo identity, reflecting their autonomy and distinct cultural practices within the broader multi-ethnic societies of the region. Through this festival, the Limboo people celebrate their harmonious relationship with nature, their ancestors, and the community. It is both a thanksgiving and a hope for abundance and prosperity,” said Muringla.