SUPERSTITIONS/BELIEFS
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No needles after sunset
Timeout 20 April, 2007 - If you are in Trashigang and need to buy a needle make sure you do it before sunset. Call it a
superstition or a fallacy, shopkeepers in Trashigang town believe that it is not good to sell needles, and in some cases any
sharp items, after sunset.
One of the prominent businessmen in Trashigang town, Tshering Dorji, said that he had been following the trend ever since
he set shop 13 years ago.
“I was always told that giving away sharp items after sunset would wipe off luck and wealth,” he told Kuensel.
Some shopkeepers go to the extent of not selling anything made of iron or steel.
“We believe that if we give away such things it could shorten our life or start a dispute,” said 53-year old shopkeeper Tshering
Zangmo. Few said it would bring misfortunes.
Tshering Zangmo said that to prevent customers from getting offended they sometimes lied saying they did not sell those
things at all. “To some we explain very clearly and ask them to come in the morning. Most understand because they too are
caught up with such beliefs,” she added.
There are several other beliefs associated with pins and needles; one should not stitch clothes at night; passing sharp items
directly from one person to the other would start a dispute; seeing a needle or a pin in the morning could mean a good day.
According to a lam there are no such principles in religious doctrines but there prevailed a strong oral belief which was also
observed in few religious practices.
Whatever it might be, shopkeepers said that they did not want to take chances.
“We have been hearing such things since childhood and there are always some truth in old tales,” said Tshering Dorji. Karma,
a grocery owner said that it had now become a strong belief that if they did not stick to it, they feared that something would
go wrong. “We have never experienced that though,” she said.
Some people in Trashigang said that this belief was widely practised by the business community across the country and in
neighbouring Indian towns.
Some observers Kuensel spoke to point out that the whole idea was “stupid” and “unrealistic”. “It is difficult when we require
things urgently,” said Rinzin, who had visited more than five shops to buy a safety pin after sunset.
To be on the safe side and not to force anyone into going against their beliefs bet carry your own needles and pins when
visiting Trashigang town.
courtesy: Kuensel
Timeout 20 April, 2007 - If you are in Trashigang and need to buy a needle make sure you do it before sunset. Call it a
superstition or a fallacy, shopkeepers in Trashigang town believe that it is not good to sell needles, and in some cases any
sharp items, after sunset.
One of the prominent businessmen in Trashigang town, Tshering Dorji, said that he had been following the trend ever since
he set shop 13 years ago.
“I was always told that giving away sharp items after sunset would wipe off luck and wealth,” he told Kuensel.
Some shopkeepers go to the extent of not selling anything made of iron or steel.
“We believe that if we give away such things it could shorten our life or start a dispute,” said 53-year old shopkeeper Tshering
Zangmo. Few said it would bring misfortunes.
Tshering Zangmo said that to prevent customers from getting offended they sometimes lied saying they did not sell those
things at all. “To some we explain very clearly and ask them to come in the morning. Most understand because they too are
caught up with such beliefs,” she added.
There are several other beliefs associated with pins and needles; one should not stitch clothes at night; passing sharp items
directly from one person to the other would start a dispute; seeing a needle or a pin in the morning could mean a good day.
According to a lam there are no such principles in religious doctrines but there prevailed a strong oral belief which was also
observed in few religious practices.
Whatever it might be, shopkeepers said that they did not want to take chances.
“We have been hearing such things since childhood and there are always some truth in old tales,” said Tshering Dorji. Karma,
a grocery owner said that it had now become a strong belief that if they did not stick to it, they feared that something would
go wrong. “We have never experienced that though,” she said.
Some people in Trashigang said that this belief was widely practised by the business community across the country and in
neighbouring Indian towns.
Some observers Kuensel spoke to point out that the whole idea was “stupid” and “unrealistic”. “It is difficult when we require
things urgently,” said Rinzin, who had visited more than five shops to buy a safety pin after sunset.
To be on the safe side and not to force anyone into going against their beliefs bet carry your own needles and pins when
visiting Trashigang town.
courtesy: Kuensel
Some beliefs
EMPTY VESSEL
CROW
CAT
WATER
RAINBOW
PRAYER FLAG
CORPSE
Archery tournament
BRIGHT SUNNY DAY
FIRE AND SMOKE
SNAKE
EMPTY VESSEL
CROW
CAT
WATER
RAINBOW
PRAYER FLAG
CORPSE
Archery tournament
BRIGHT SUNNY DAY
FIRE AND SMOKE
SNAKE
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