Zhey and zhem Dance of Bhutan

The joining of the zhey and zhem (Dzongkha, Wylie gzhaslgzhas-mo) are expanded choreographed vocal performances that are often performed during the tsechus (the festivals). They contain element of both the zhungdra and boedra. The fast-stepped zhey are performed by men, while the more flowing are performed by women’s dances. The zhey was created in the 17^th century, and while there is a considerable variety among the current zheys, most of them share the same tunes and dances patterns.  The dancers originally performed barefoot and without any expansion of uniform, however, the tradition of wearing long gowns, head gear and traditional boots was initiated in the year 1970’s.

The honour of the 2011 royal wedding, the Bhutanese dancers performed the four main zheys (Goen zhey nof Gasa, Wang Zhey of Thimphu, Nub Zhey of Trongsa, Woochupai Zhey of Paro) and the four minor zheys (Auley of laya, Locho of Sha, Bonghur Zhey of Haa, and the Miritsemoi Zhey of Chukha).

 

source of picture: www.flickr.com

 

The Goen zhey is of the central importance among all the zheys, its roots lie in the coming of the Shabdrun Ngawang Namgyal, the founder of the Bhutan. In item of tradition, when it came in the year 1616 to the Bangdekha which is below the Wakeyla, a place between the Gasa and Laya, the people of the Goen in Gasa gave the expansion of the dance. It takes two days and 21 dancers to complete the dance that has 25 complicated steps. The dancers wear red wooden gho, black tego undershirt, and also red and white kabney in the fashion of ancient warriors. The zheypon (which is the dance master) wears an expanded headdress. The Woochhu zhey which is from the Wochu village (Jackal river Village is the modern Woochhu village in Lungnyi Gewog, Paro), also has its origin in Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and is first performed by a lam in the procession to receive the Shabdrung.

The particular rare performance of the Wang zhey is the Thimphu, according to tradition, it started with a commoner from the Wang valley who went to Laya. On the way, he stopped at the Gasa tshechu where he saw Goen zhey for the first time. Despite that he stayed to learn it. After coming back to Wang, he taught his people the zhey in exchange for a fee to salt for every song. In the year 1620, with a little change, it was performed in Thimphu during the dedication festival of Chagri Monastery. It is therefore performed regularly in the receptions for significant of the Tibetan Drukpa lama. While the Wang zhey was a routine in rabneys, archery matches, and wedding of well-to-do families, it is now commonly performed and young Bhutanese do not know its importance.