Nakchhong

Rai Male Shaman

Rai Female Shaman

Nakchhong (नाक्छोङ) or Mangpa are shamans of the Rai's an ethnic group that is predominantly located in the Himalayas of Nepal, Sikkim, Darjeeling and Kalimpong.

Nakchhong maintain a vegetarian diet as part of their spiritual regime. The Kirati believe that Nakchhong are chosen bodies of good spirits. One of the foremost Kirat, Mundum, has taught that there are two types of spirits. Rumahang, the divine spirit, is a supreme spirit who created the universe and living beings on this earth. Rumahang represents truth, happiness, compassion and love. Conversely, the devil spirit represents destruction, jealousy and hatred. Thus, Nakchhong act under Rumahang against the devil spirits. Those who possess a magical weapon (any kind of BAN to harm or kill another) are regarded as chosen bodies of the devil spirit. On the other hand, Nakchhong do not have any magical weapons to harm or kill other living beings.

Nakchhong is the main priest of the Sakela shrine; everybody cannot be a Nakchhong or Nakchhongma. Nakchhong is a male priest and Nakchhongma is the female. There are special rituals, myths and beliefs that should be fulfilled. There are two ways to be a perfect Nakchhong or Nakchhongma. One, it should be after the death of the old Nakchhong, society decides to make a new Nakchhong. There are certain criteria such as he should be old, must have knowledge of the Mudumi language and knowledge about Rai rituals. Second, Chamapa Nakchhong, to define this type of Nakchhong, Nakchhong is form through their dreams, with having special power that makes them to shiver”.^[1]

Nakchhongma, or Mangma Female Priest Shaman of the Rai Eastern Nepal

Nakchhong Or Mangpa Male Priest of Rai Shamans Performing Shaman Ritual Yaledong Festival 2018 Gorubathan West Bengal Kalimpong India

How Nakchhong and Nakchhongma is formed.

In addition, through their dreams they should be Nakchhong or Nakchhongma that is male and female respectively. It is believed that if they see a hen in their dreams they should be Nakchhongma. Nakchhong is the opposite of it. It is believed that someone who starts to shiver should become the Kirati priest. But after having the shiver or dreaming is not an ultimate result of it, there are lots of traditional rituals through which the person will be tested. While performing rituals they should wear their traditional dress, it's visible that Nakchhong can wear cloak and Nakchhongma can wear jama (Frog). materials:

• Nakchhong frequently work with the following materials:
• (Kirat culture)ginger
• Pokhemma
• (cut pieces of the front part of a banana leaf)
• Chindo: Gourd filled with (millet beer)

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