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U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2003

Himalayan Cultural Festivals

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

Losoong is a festival which is celebrated in:

Solution & Analysis

Answer: C

Concept North East Indian festivals like Losoong mark the end of the agricultural cycle and serve as an occasion for communal prayers and social bonding.

Explanation Losoong (or Namsoong) is the Sikkimese New Year, celebrated by the Lepcha and Bhutia tribes to mark the harvest season.

Logical Breakup
Logic 1: It is usually celebrated in December. Monasteries perform the Black Hat dance (Chaam) to symbolize the victory of good over evil.
Logic 2: The festival involves traditional sports like archery and vibrant social gatherings across the state of Sikkim.

Active Recall

Question

What is the role of the 'Chaam' dance in the Losoong festival?

Answer

It is a ritual masked dance performed by monks to exorcise evil spirits and welcome the prosperity of the new year.

Core Insight

Losoong highlights the synthesis of indigenous tribal traditions (Lepcha) and Tibetan Buddhist influences (Bhutia) in Sikkimese culture.

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