REPORT TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Core of Culture Dance Preservation
Bhutan Dance Project
2004-2006
The years 2004, 2005 and 2006 were dedicated to expeditionary work
throughout the Kingdom of Bhutan.
A total of 24 months were spent on the ground in Bhutan.
throughout the Kingdom of Bhutan.
A total of 24 months were spent on the ground in Bhutan.
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Expedition Leader: Joseph Houseal Technology Director/Cameraman: Jessie Horton Director of Production in Bhutan/Cameraman: Karma Tshering 9 Production assistants, drivers and cooks. Primary activities included
2-camera High-Definition documentation of dance festivals
Developing, teaching and applying preservation strategies Formulating Dance Manuals and recording individual dances, step-by-step Conducting methodological ethnographic observations Creating a Bhutan Dance Database |
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What follows below in summary form are data from these activities
In every case, the data presented is conservative. In fact more was accomplished than listed here. ALL photos click to enlarge.
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CoC has worked 23 Festivals at 15 Locations:
Punakha
Trashiyangtze Paro Dzongdra Ura Nyimlaung Chizhi Goenpa Tamzhing Thangbi Jambay Lhakhang Nga Lhakhang Nabji Yungdrung Choeling Thimphu Korphu This includes these types of festivals:
6 Tsechu
2 Drubchen 2 Kora 1 Yakchoe 1 Trenda 1 Phyala Choetpha 1 Mani 8 Drup 1 Rabnay |
CoC has:filmed 2-camera documentation of entire festivals at 15 places.
Managed 6 festivals at 3 places Modeled local organization at 5 places Documented with danced demonstration, 17 Chams Yig(dance manuals) at 2 places, Tamzhing and Thimphu Translated 12 Chams Yig Photographed 6 Chams Yig |
CoC has commissioned:
1 essay (from Lam Pemala)
1 thangka (from Trongsa Khilkor Lopon) 31 carpets 1 Chams Yig (from Ngangbi Zhey dancers) CoC has produced:
500 hours of High-definition footage
10,000 photographs 800 Database entries 11 Ethnographic notebooks |
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CoC has:
visited and made accounts of 7 healers, including late Je Khenpo Nizer Tulku, and a Village Oracle, the Bon Pawo Dorji who was also filmed.
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CoC has worked with 5 communities in the Model Cham Program:
Nga Lhakgang
Thangbi Jambay Lhakhang Tamzhing Ura CoC has conducted 5 community meetings with government officials, police, dance masters, dancers, and village organizers:
2 at Jambay Lhakhang
2 in the Model Cham Program 2 in Nabji |
CoC has introduced:
Non-invasive production techniques at 15 festivals
Police at 3 festivals Photography Bans for Naked Dances at 2 places Festival Stewards who were also trained in LAMA CAM - a camera fitted to a monk's mask CoC has given:
4 computers
2 fully outfitted HDV cameras 1 still camera 1 round-the-world production training trip to Karma Tshering 1 full time job to Karma Tshering 6 part time jobs to PAs and cooks  |
 CoC has provided:
4 Production workshops, 2 by Linda Burns. 1 by Amy Christenson, one by Houseal & Horton
1 cross-country technical scouting CoC has brought in during the expedition period:
$73,500 ($60K from JRC; $10K from JQH; $2.5K from GY; $1K from MS)
CoC has donated:
$12,000 ($6K in consultant fees; $6K in gifts from JQH) this includes a tent and 2 courtyards
$7500 for 1/2 of a car technical assistance to the Royal Academy Archive CoC has set up:
1 apartment in Thimphu
1 Field Office in Bumthang G5 editing suite in Chicago 7 terabyte RAID storage system in Chicago and erected 2 CoC Sign Boards in Thimphu and Bumthang |
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CoC has brought in:
9 Foreign Production Professionals (Joseph Houseal, Jessie Horton, Andrew Gordon, Linda Burns, Amy Christenson, Pat Morrow, Roger Vernon, Rupin Dang, Vikram Singh) for a total of 23 trips to Bhutan.
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CoC has initiated:
1 piece of Legislation (Cham Protection Act)
2 tourist-restricted Dance Sanctuaries (Yungdrung Choeling, Nabji) CoC has distributed:
400 2007 Calendars
700 CoC logo patches 31 carpets CoC has restored:
Dorling Tercham (naked dance) of Jambay Lhakhang to its original setting and form
Peling Tercham (naked dance) of Korphu to its original form |
CoC has interviewed on tape, transcribed and translated:
Aku Tongbi (91)
Chakhar Lam (78)
Dasho Sithel Dorji (73)
Ap Dorji (83) who was also documented demonstrating a lost Pesling dance, Bep Chadrup.
Lopon Dorji of Trashiyangtze
Lopon Lado of Buli
Karchi Omze (ritual dance leader-musician)
Chakhar Lam (78)
Dasho Sithel Dorji (73)
Ap Dorji (83) who was also documented demonstrating a lost Pesling dance, Bep Chadrup.
Lopon Dorji of Trashiyangtze
Lopon Lado of Buli
Karchi Omze (ritual dance leader-musician)
CoC has worked with these Religious Orders:
Drukpa Kagyu at 4 places (Thimphu, Punakha, Mongar, Trongsa)
Karma Kagyu at Thangbi
Sakya at Chizhi Goepa
Nyingma (traditions of Pema Lingpa, Dorji Lingpa, Woogpa Lingpa, Sangay Lingpa, Namkhai Nyingpo, Namkhai Samdrup)
Karma Kagyu at Thangbi
Sakya at Chizhi Goepa
Nyingma (traditions of Pema Lingpa, Dorji Lingpa, Woogpa Lingpa, Sangay Lingpa, Namkhai Nyingpo, Namkhai Samdrup)
CoC has worked with these Lay Orders:
Ura Gomchen
Thangbi Gomchen Yungdrung Choeling Gomchen 2 places requesting GOMDEY: Ngangbi and Nabji CoC has worked with these groups:
Zhey of Ngangbi (Dung Clan)
Pazaps of Punakha Royal Academy Staff Khuju Luyang Performance Troupe CoC has worked with these villages:
Trashyangtze
Dzongdra Chakar Lhakhang Ngangbi Nabji Yungdrung Choleing Korphu |
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CoC has responded to requests for assistance in the revival of 9 endangered dances:
Chamchen of Tamzhing
Chamchen of Nyimalung
Bep Chadrup of Pesling
2 Phurba Cham at Pesling
Nabji Tercham
3 Sakya dances at Chizhi Goenpa
Chamchen of Nyimalung
Bep Chadrup of Pesling
2 Phurba Cham at Pesling
Nabji Tercham
3 Sakya dances at Chizhi Goenpa
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CoC has made scouting trips to:
Dang Chu
Nizergang Gong Phu Thangsibi Shingkar Mongar Gom Kora Tsirang Pesling Duntze Lhakhang Nobgang Trashigang CoC has addressed:
all 20 Dzongkag Cultural Officers
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CoC has received in-depth research assistance from:
Dasho Thinley Gyantsho, Director of the Royal Academy
Dorling Zimpi Khenpo Passang Tshering Lam Pemala (Bhutan's foremost scholar) Lopon Tengay (Scholar) Lam Seten of Tamzhing (Abbott from Tibet 1960) Lam Wangdi of Tsirang (fmr Dagchong ofthe Dratshang) Lopon Sangay Tshering of Punakha (Top Monk Dancer) Lopon Mindhu Tshering of Gasa (Mandala Master/Dancer) Lopon Sonam Wangdi of Trongsa (Dance Master) Trongsa Khilkor Lopon Sangay Rinchen (Mandala Master) Lopon Sangay Yeshe of Yungdrung Choeling (Dance Master) |
CoC has met and had serious conversations with these Reincarnated Masters:
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HH Je Khenpo
Dudjom Rinpoche Baba Tulku Namkhai Nyingpo Pesling Tulku Bakula Rangdol Nyima Rinpoche HH Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche Gangtey TulkuSungtrul Rinpoche Tukse Rinpoche And these luminaries:
The Hermit Kitu
Chakar Lam Dorji Chakar Lam Jr Tenzin Nabji Lam Chimme Lam Pemala |
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CoC made history as the FIRST EVER:
foreigners in Korphu
foreigners to see the Nabji Terchamto make any kind of record of the Nabji Tercham
foreigners to witness the Drukpa Kagyu Inner and Secret Dances, including the Khilkor Kora of the Thimphu Drubchen
foreigners to film the Thimphu Drubchen
foreigners to see and photograph the Thimphu Tsechu Gong Due Mandala
CoC Director Joseph Houseal was appointed by the Ministry and Home and Culture to the Coronation Entertainment Committee, and will be responsible for staging both Bhutanese and International dancers.
foreigners to see the Nabji Terchamto make any kind of record of the Nabji Tercham
foreigners to witness the Drukpa Kagyu Inner and Secret Dances, including the Khilkor Kora of the Thimphu Drubchen
foreigners to film the Thimphu Drubchen
foreigners to see and photograph the Thimphu Tsechu Gong Due Mandala
CoC Director Joseph Houseal was appointed by the Ministry and Home and Culture to the Coronation Entertainment Committee, and will be responsible for staging both Bhutanese and International dancers.
CoC has spent:
$271,717.86 in 2005 (included '04 work too and all original equipment)
$176,099.46 in 2006 $447,817.32 TOTAL since the project inception. Joseph Houseal Executive Director Core of Culture Dance Preservation January 31, 2007 Chicago |
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