Shaman Festival Held in Lukum Amid Monsoon Rain

Dragon Media News Desk

A traditional shaman festival has been held amid monsoon rain in Lukum village of Ward No. 1, Bhume Rural Municipality, Rukum East.

Organised every year on the first Tuesday of the Nepali month of Shrawan, the festival brought together local shamans dressed in traditional attire and playing ritual drums. They performed dances, religious rites and cultural presentations in accordance with ancestral traditions.

The Lukum shaman festival is an important celebration linked to the local community’s religious beliefs, cultural identity and ancestral heritage. Held continuously for generations, the festival introduces younger people to local history, indigenous customs and traditional knowledge.

During the event, shamans performed group dances to the rhythm of drums and worshipped deities and nature according to customary rituals. Local residents and visitors from surrounding areas gathered to observe the festival.

Despite unfavourable weather, the event drew significant community participation. The sound of ritual drums echoing through the rain transformed Lukum village into a vibrant centre of cultural celebration throughout the day.

The local community regards the shaman festival not merely as an occasion for entertainment, but as an important means of preserving its history, faith and social unity.

At a time when many indigenous traditions face the risk of disappearing under the influence of modern lifestyles, local residents say the Lukum festival is making an important contribution to the preservation of traditional culture.

While the shamanic tradition is respected as part of the community’s cultural and religious heritage, public health experts advise that modern medical treatment should be prioritised whenever health problems arise.