Shayne2017 at 10:18, 5 May 2025

2025-05-05T10:18:20Z

New page

{{Short description|Limbu folk dance}}
{{Infobox dance
| name = Dhan Nach
| image = Hongkong limbu chasok.jpg
| native_name = {{lang|ne|Yalang}}<br> {{lang|lif|ᤕᤠᤗᤠᤅ}}
| etymology = Paddy dance
| genre = [[Folk dance]]
| origin = [[Limbuwan|Limbuwan region]]
}}

'''Dhan Nach''' ({{Langx|ne|धाननाच}}) / '''''Yalang''''' ([[Limbu language|Limbu]]: {{Lang|lif|ᤕᤠᤗᤠᤅ}} Yalang) or ([[English language|English]]: Paddy dance) is a traditional [[Limbu people|Limbu]] folk dance, which originated in the [[Limbuwan]] region of [[Nepal]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Rai|first=Rohit|title=DHAN NACH IN DHARAN|url=http://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/56235/|access-date=2022-02-23|website=My City|language=en|archive-date=2022-07-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220709132146/https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/mycity/news/dhan-nach-in-dharan|url-status=live}}</ref> It is performed by people from Limbu (Yakthung) communities, native to [[Eastern Nepal]] as well as [[Darjeeling district|Darjeeling]], [[Kalimpong district|Kalimpong]] and [[Sikkim]] regions of [[India]]. The dance is accompanied by a folk song known as ''[[Palam (folk song)|Palam]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|title=धाननाच जोगाउने चिन्ता|url=https://annapurnapost.com/news/dhaannaac-jogaaune-cintaa-134332|access-date=2022-02-23|website=धाननाच जोगाउने चिन्ता|language=en|archive-date=2022-02-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220223051416/https://annapurnapost.com/news/dhaannaac-jogaaune-cintaa-134332|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Etymology ==
''Dhan Nach'' in Nepali translates to paddy dance (''Dhan'' translates to paddy, ''nach'' translates to dance). The dance is also commonly known as ''Yalang.'' It is known by multiple names in Limbu communities according to their languages. In Chhathare Limbu language, it is known as ''Chalakma''. In Panthare Limbu language, it is known as ''Yalakma''. In every language, the name of the dance translates to paddy dance.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=‘गीत गाउन... अनुरोध गरेँ है !’|url=https://gorkhapatraonline.com/saturday/2020-10-03-23902|access-date=2022-02-23|website=GorakhaPatra|archive-date=2022-02-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220223051418/https://gorkhapatraonline.com/saturday/2020-10-03-23902|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Origin mythology ==
According to local legend, there was a drought in a village and people were dying of starvation. Then ''Makcharepu'' (Limbu: {{Lang|lif|ᤔᤠᤰᤆᤖᤣᤐᤢ}}; {{Translation|paddy bird}}), a bird brought some seeds of ''Khaiya'' type of paddy and gave it to the villager to cultivate it. The villager did so and received a fruitful harvest. But the birds started eating most of the harvest.<ref>{{Cite web|last=श्रेष्ठ|first=शिवकुमार|date=2021-03-20|title=किराती लोककथा/ दन्त्यकथा-धाननाचको उत्पत्ति|url=https://shabdasopan.com/aakhyan/katha/2543/|access-date=2022-02-23|website=Shabda Sopan|language=en-US|archive-date=2022-02-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220223083322/https://shabdasopan.com/aakhyan/katha/2543/|url-status=live}}</ref> The villagers tried to shoo the bird away but the birds demanded the harvest since they were the ones who brought the seed. The villagers were unable to refute to that claim and agreed. The birds would directly eat the rice as soon as it was thrashed. So, the people started to loudly shout " ''Ha... Ha... Ha..''." to scare away the birds, which later became the rhythmic ''Palam'' song. While singing Palam, the people would hold hand dance over the paddy harvest which would separate the husk away from the rice. After which, the people started performing ''Dhan Nach'' every year during the month of [[Mangsir]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Limbu|first=Suman|date=2020-09-05|title=धाननाच|url=https://jharanasanchar.com/2600/|access-date=2022-02-23|website=Jharana Sanchar|language=ne|archive-date=2022-02-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220223051416/https://jharanasanchar.com/2600/|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Tradition ==
The dance is performed during multiple occasions such as marriage, festivals such as [[Udhauli]], carnivals and celebrations. It can be performed in pairs or in groups. It is performed by men and women without any blood relations holding hands and dancing either in a straight line or a circulus.<ref name=":0" /> Historically, the dance was performed for seven days and seven nights.

In recent days, the dance is on the verge of extinction with young people's lack of participation.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-10-17|title=लिम्बू समुदायको धाननाच लोप हुँदै, संरक्षणमा युवापुस्ताको ध्यान गएन|url=https://nagarikkhabar.com/2021/10/216373/|access-date=2022-02-23|website=Nagarik Khabar|language=en|archive-date=2022-02-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220223083331/https://nagarikkhabar.com/2021/10/216373/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=धान नाच लोप हुने खतरा बढ्दै|url=https://www.imagekhabar.com/news/260496/|access-date=2022-02-23|website=Imagekhabar - Online News Portal of Nepal|language=en|archive-date=2022-02-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220223083321/https://www.imagekhabar.com/news/260496/|url-status=live}}</ref> However, various cultural organizations are raising awareness for preservation and promotion of this dance form.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-07-29|title=लोप हुँदै गएको धान नाँच संरक्षण गर्न कार्यक्रम|url=https://purbelinews.com/331543|access-date=2022-02-23|website=Purbeli News|language=en-US|archive-date=2022-02-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220223083321/https://purbelinews.com/331543|url-status=live}}</ref>

== In popular media ==
In 2021, a short film titled ''Kheda'' was released to raise awareness about the dance form.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-07-08|title=लिम्बू जातिको धाननाच प्रस्तुत गरिएको लघुचलचित्र 'खेदा' सार्वजनिक (भिडियो)|url=https://yugkhabar.com/44637/2021/|access-date=2022-02-23|website=युग खबर|language=en-US|archive-date=2022-02-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220223083331/https://yugkhabar.com/44637/2021/|url-status=live}}</ref>

== See also ==

* ''[[Lakhey]]''
* ''[[Sangini]]''
* ''[[Maruni]]''

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Dance in Nepal]]
[[Category:Nepalese folk dances]]
[[Category:Limbu culture]]
[[Category:Culture of Sikkim]]
[[Category:Culture of Koshi Province]]

Dhan Nach - Revision history

Shayne2017 at 10:18, 5 May 2025