There are four main types of traditional rituals performed in Bahing communities since the ancient time. They are:
1.Hong/Segro:
Hong/Segro is one of the most important traditional rituals performed in Bahing communities. It is performed every 3, 5, or 7 years of time interval or as required. Bahing priest (Dhyawanaksoo) has a very important role in this function. It is performed in a very systematic procedure covering every small details. Main priest and other general priest will be the well-known and respected person of the society having sound knowledge of Fribdim/Freloo (Bahing’s Sanskarik Saskar). All the living and non-living things are paid a great respect during this ceremony as they have been the only means for the existence of human life in this planet. Things around us, making our lives possible, such as air, water, fire, soil, stone, plants, animals, house, yard, hills, terrains, rivers, springs, lakes, etc are called out aloud in a special and unique name called Fribdim/Freloo as an honor for being the part of our lives. Ancestors are worshiped with a great respect for they were the only means their descendant could see this beautiful world. The deceased souls are worshiped with a prayer that their soul could rest in peace. This function is celebrated with a belief that if the deceased souls are pleased there will be a peace and prosperity in the following generations, there will be good production of grains and cereals, and distance can be kept from the illness/sickness. It reflects the admiration and closeness of Bahing aborigine indigenous towards the nature and their ancestors.
In Hong/Segro, the sacrifice of domestic animal is indispensable. In the present day male buffalo, pig; cocks are used commonly but in the ancient time even bull were sacrificed to complete the ceremony. The killing of a bull was banned after the declaration of nation as a Hindu kingdom by the then ruler (Killing of a bull is considered as a sin in Hinduism). Some Bahings were arrested in the charge of killing bull by Rana and Shah rulers. Gorumare of present day Okhaldhunga is one of the places where aborigine indigenous Bahing used to sacrifice bull to perform Hong and there are many other places too where bull were sacrificed to perform Hong.
This function is celebrated with great joy and happiness where all the friends and relatives are invited. Sisters of the host get a special invitation and there is a tradition of accepting the invitation with great honor and pleasure by the sisters. Women are given a special respect and gratitude as they played an important role in development of this custom. Sisters take a liquor of pure millet in a specially designed clay pot (Lipu/Dava, Ghyampoo) as a gift to the host. Special feature of this ritual is all the ancestors are worshiped with equal respect and gratitude instead of paying attention to a single person.(Researched by Mekh Raj Shustocha Bahing ”Dhiren” G.S)
2. Dhyetam /Tumatam/Tam:
This is the second most important and less expensive rituals of Aborigine Indigenous Bahings which is similar to Hong but with a lesser procedure. It can be taken as a smaller form of Hong. It is performed with a sacrifice of pig, no bull is needed but dry beef is used as a boon during the function. It is performed especially when any member of a family falls ill and the ancestors’ soul are asked for the blessing to heal the ill one. It last for a day with a traditional dance performed 3 to 9 times during whole ceremony.(Researched by Mekh Raj Shustocha Bahing ”Dhiren”G.S)
3. Nagle socho/Sarilecho /Mosum phucho/Moo pacho/Nangi:
This method of worshiping ancestors is different than Hong and Dhetam. It is performed every year or an alternate year with an intention that the deceased soul will rest in peace. The priest prays for the eternal peace of the deceased soul. The sacrifice of pig and cock is the most to complete this rituals and dry beef (Jum) is used as a boon.(Researched by Mekh Raj Shustocha Bahing ”Dhiren”G.S)
4. Mosum/Wailinmo:
This is the least expensive and least complicated rites of Bahing Aborigine Indigenous peoples where priests (Chewacha/Ngabucha) do the worshiping of an ancestor. It is performed in every marriage and when some one moves into a new house.(Researched by Mekh Raj Shustocha Bahing ”Dhiren”G.S)
CULTURE AND RELIGION
Natural worshiper
Bahing Aborigine Indigenous peoples follow animism & they are Naturalist. They believe that even if the body dies soul remains alive. They are very much linked with their surrounding environment. so, they show deep respect to physical and biological environments of their surrounding in each and every events of religious importance. They worship their ancestors and the nature. These practices of Bahings are found scientifically significant as they are knowingly or unknowingly helping in the preservation of natural environment. The preservation and protection of nature makes the livelihood easier.(Researched by Mekh Raj Shustocha Bahing ”Dhiren”G.S)
TRADITIONAL LANDS
There are different sacred places in Aborigine Indigenous Bahings’culture. Hearth, part of the house where traditional rituals are performed, areas where Hong is performed, and grave are considered sacred places. Similarly, names of different places which are called out by the priest in special functions have a great cultural and religious significance. Different places starting from the hearth of one house covering mountains of eastern part of Nepal and finally ending at Kathmandu are also the traditional lands of Indigenous Bahings as mentioned in Fribdim/ Freloo (Tumlo Yalo). Gorumare, Okhaldhunga is also one of the place of great traditional and cultural importance of Bahings.(Researched by Mekh Raj Shustocha Bahing ”Dhiren”G.S)