Performative Role of a Pande in Chepang

Abstract

Cultural, ritual, and religious practices of the Chepang are based on shamanism. The shaman of the chepang is known as pande. The main purpose of this study is to analyze how pandes perform therapeutic roles in their community, why these roles are important to maintain indigenous Chepang culture, and what are the threats faced by pandes in modern times. The study follows the qualitative method of research and analyzes the roles of pandes performed in society for which both primary and secondary data are used. Primary information for this study was collected from the pandes of Kalika Municipality Wards 10 and 11, and books, journals, and other published and unpublished materials about the topic were used as secondary sources of data for this study. Richard Schechner theory of ritual performance also uses as theoretical guideline of the study and compare pandes' acts as a ritualistic and cultural performance. The pandes perform various roles and responsibilities to fulfill cultural, ritual and religious demands of the Chepang and preserve their culture, ritual myth, history, oral literature and traditional belief that has been practiced in the Chepang community for a long time. Findings and conclusion of the study are based on the data analysis and description. The roles of pandes are omnipotent in the community. Their role is not only limited to cultural festivities and ritual ceremonies but also their roles as therapists, fortune tellers, and experts in flora and fauna. Thus, the performance of the Pandes is important to maintain the traditional identities of the Chepang living in Nepal.

Keywords: Chepang culture, shamanism, pandes, performances.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.55463/hkjss.issn.1021-3619.61.23