Yakthung Folk Culture: Palam and Yalang
Hitaram Tilling
Yakthung Folk Culture
Folk culture refers to the traditional practices, customs, arts, songs, and music that have been orally passed down from generation to generation within a community and are based on the local way of life. In other words, the traditions, customs, arts, and music that have been practiced among the people are called folk culture. The lifestyle, songs and music, beliefs, traditional customs, language, and literature of the Yakthung community are all part of its folk culture. Palam and Yalang hold a high place in Yakthung culture.
Palam
In the Limbu community, the rhythmic singing style during Yalang is called Palam. Compared to other songs, Palam is sung differently. There are various rhythms of Palam. The term Palam is believed to have originated from “Pa?ma Lam” or “Pa?lam” (way of speaking/communication). In the past, when guests arrived or departed in the villages, young women would go to places where young men were gathered, and young men would go to places where young women were staying, and they would speak playfully in a poetic style—this became the form of Palam.
When young men and women went to the forest to cut grass, collect firewood, or graze cattle and goats, they would sing Palam filled with love and affection for their beloved, making the forest resound with their voices. Palam provides beauty and pleasure through melody, rhyme, and rhythm. While singing Palam, expressions of both love and sorrow are presented. In such moments, feelings of compassion are visible on their faces, and sometimes Palam could even bring tears to the eyes of young men and women. Participants often engage in a question-and-answer style through Palam.
Primarily during fairs, markets, various occasions, and in times of joy or sorrow, the Yalang dance is performed. Palam is an essential part of Yalang and plays its most significant role. Without Palam, Yalang has no existence. Originating from the Paddy fields, Yalang has traveled from villages to towns and markets, and today it has become a highlight of organized programs.
Yalang
Until a few years ago, the main feature or attraction of fairs in Limbu villages used to be Yalang. There is a saying that the word Yalang originated from synchronizing steps on paddy straw (mādeko). Others say that it came from the phrase Ya? Yak Lang (dance slowly), which, through corruption, became Yalang. In fact, while singing Palam, people do dance slowly.
Depending on the place or region(thum), Yalang has different variations and is also reffered to as Yarakma, Chalakma, Yalakma, and so on. Yalang is a slow dance performed by holding hands and standing together with people who are not closely related by kinship.. It is not danced between siblings and maternal relatives.
When there are fewer participants, the dance is performed in a line, and when there are more, it is performed in a circle while holding each other’s hands and dancing slowly.. Some people dance Yalang by matching steps in harmony with the rhythm and tune of Palam, gradually synchronizing the movement of the feet. In the Limbu community, due to the tradition of tracing kinship up to seven generations, Yalang is danced only with unrelated kin and those eligible for marriage alliances. Yalang can be performed in groups ranging from two people to many. Even if there are many dancers, only two people sing Palam, while the others accompany them.
The Palam singers must not be related by blood. People of all ages with no kinship ties dance together for entertainment. Through Palam in Yalang, people express their thoughts and exchange feelings. Sometimes, Yalang leads to competition, and sometimes blossoms love, even resulting in marriage.
Although Palam and Yalang have their own distinct characteristics, they complement each other. Palam depends on Yalang, and Yalang depends on Palam. Both are used together. Palam is essential for Yalang. Palam can be sung while walking along a path, collecting grass and firewood, or even when alone, but Yalang is impossible without Palam. Therefore, Palam and Yalang are interconnected. Yalang alone is incomplete. Palam is essential in Yalang.
Nowadays, with the changes of time, the arrival of various external traditions and cultures, and the influence of electronic devices, the importance of Yalang has begun to decline. Limbu children have not been able to study about their own traditions and culture. They have grown distant from their original customs, culture, and history from an early age. Day by day, the traditions and culture of the Limbu are disappearing. It is everyone’s duty to preserve them. To preserve Palam and Yalang, it is necessary to move forward not only on an individual level but also institutionally.