Where: Nepal, Timal People: Tamang Religion: Mainly Buddhism mixed with Hinduism, Animism and Shamanism Ritual: Funeral Ritual
In Tibetan Buddhism, one believes in death and rebirth as in Hinduism. The Tamang people originally came to Nepal from Tibet and settled in different places in the mountains surrounding Kathmandu.
The religion of the Tamang people is a mix of old Spritualism, Hindusim, Buddhism and Animism. When a person is dead, the dead body is placed in lotus position to give the spirit peace. It is easy, when the body is still warm, but a bit more difficult after rigor mortis has occurred.
The Lamas (Buddhist priests) make sure that the spirit does not escape. During the ceremony the Lamas chant and read from the Tibetan Book of Death, while family members are watching and from time to time pray with the Lamas. Candles and the deceased’s favourite food is served for the spirit and helps keeping it in place during the rituals.
As in Hinduism, the body is cremated. The fire cleans and absorb the body, setting the spirit free to travel on. In the morning, following the night of cremation, the family roams the ashes and for a small piece of the deceased’s skull. This piece is important in the following ritual, the Ghewa.
The first ritual and the cremation ensure that the spirit of the dead is well-received for a stay in bardo (a state between death and rebirth). The second ritual, the Ghewa, is a big party that ensures the spirit of the dead a good rebirth. At the same time the connection between the living and the dead is finally interrupted, and the living need not fear the wrath of the dead.
I am very grateful to Ramri and her family for allowing me to participate in the ceremonies and cremation. Additionally, I would like to thank my guide, translator, fixer and friend, Arun Karki, without whom this experience would not have been possible.
Ramri Tamang, who died of asthma at 53, is being prepared for the following rituals. The coins in her mouth are payment for the journey to the other side.Ramris’ body is placed in the family’s living room in the mud-built house. Candles help keeping her spirit in place during the rituals.The Buddhist priests are called Lamas. They play, sing and recite mantras from The Tibetan Book of Death helping Ramri’s spirit to find peace.Ramri’s eldest son carries a candle, rice, money and flowers for his mother’s soul/spirit (Atman).Family members, friends and villagers are lighting candles for Ramri.Family members, friends and villagers are praying for Ramri.Ramri’s last temple was built during the ceremonies held inside the house. The body is carried around the temple five times symbolising the five elements, the fifth being her spirit/soul (Atman). Ramri’s children is paying her respect during the Phyalaba ritual.A 100 meter long piece of white fabric guiding Ramri’s spirit, is carried in front of Ramri’s last temple, while the Lamas are reciting from The Tibetan Book of Death.Villagers and family members are carrying the white fabric on the way to the cremation grounds.During night, Ramri’s body is being cremated outside the village. The fire cleans and absorbs the body, so the spirit is free to move on.In the following morning, the family roams the ashes for a small piece of the Ramri’s skull. This piece is important in the following ritual, the Ghewa.The eldest son and other close male relatives have their head shaved as a sign of bereavement and clensing.Ramri’s sons are praying at the cremation grounds in the morning after the cremation.The small piece of Ramri’s skull and her clothes are kept in the home while a candle burns constantly for the next 13 days – until the final rituals, the Ghewa, begins.
