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Basque peoples' film won Best film Award
Indigenous Mugali women in their traditional attire in NIIFF 08'. Photo: Sangmo
Kathmandu, June 9, 2008- Indigenous peoples of Nepal are truly concerned and aware about saving their cultural identity. They are willing to learn the history, culture, tradition, lifestyle and language of their community. There is a unity and understanding among various cultural groups of Nepal .
A huge enthusiastic participation of different ethnic nations during the 2nd Nepal International Indigenous Film Festival (NIIFF) 2008,( 6-9 June) organized by Indigenous Film Archive (IFA) proved that they are consciously preserving and promoting their culture while maintaining harmonious relations between cultural groups.
Indigenous peoples surrounded City Hall and the Nepal Tourism Board, Bhrikuti Mandap, Kathmandu from 6 to 9 June with great fanfare and joviality. Different communities came onto one common ground sharing views and opinions. Tamang, Gurung, Sherpa, Magar, Rai, Limbu, Majhi, Tharu, Sunuwar, Rajbanshi, Newar, as well as other ethnic groups of Nepal were decorated in their cultural dress and traditional accessories. It became the stage for an ethnic cultural show. Limbu performed Dhan Naach, Magars presented Kauda Naach, Kirati performed Sakela dance with jubilance. Simirarly, Majhis amazed the peoples performing their Dance of Spirit whereas Gurungs were singing Dohari songs of celebration.
Along with film festival, people were attracted to the exhibitions of Indigenous Handicrafts and clothes as well as Indigenous food stalls serving delicious dishes and traditional liquors.
On the last day of the Festival, a Basque (Spain) film 'Nomadak TX' directed by Raul De La Fuente was awarded Best Film Award of the NIIFF 08'. It is based on the nomadic Indigenous people of the Basque region in Spain. Among Indigenous Films of Nepal, 'Chesung', a Limbu Film directed by Mausam Limbu based on the socio-economic problem faced by Limbu community after the abolition of Kipat system by the state got an Audience Choice Award.
Similarly, Newari Film 'Vintuna' directed by Aaryem Nakarmi won Critic Award, and the Encouragement Award was given to Gurung film 'Aanagarik' directed by Rambahadur Gurung. On the basis of content, the film from Finland 'Last Yoik In Sami Forests' directed by Hannu Hyvonen about the Indigenous People of Finland, won a Best Film In Relevant Award.
Eight documentaries, five fiction movies, three short films, and a music video were screened.
Dead yet Alive, a documentary directed by Sanjog Laaphaa Magar is based on the search for the lost first poet of Magar community. It is a biopic on Jeetbahadur Singjali Magar, the first poet in Magar Language. Singjali, who published an anthology of poetry to promote the Magar language and culture, had disappeared in 1968. Three years ago, he was suddenly noticed in Thulo Lhumpek, Gulmi. The documentary explores what he was doing for almost four decades and why he was exiled from his family and ethnic organization.
Another documentary 'Twisin' directed by Prina Raj Joshi, explores the story of a farmer struggling to retain his traditional lifestyle amidst growing urbanization.
"Where are you Grandpa?" a documentary from Finland directed by Suvi West is based on the personal story of a young girl Suvi, who searches for her late grandpa, Jouni who had mysteriously disappeared in an accident 33 years ago while lobbying for the Sami fights.
'Lives of Jawang', a documentary directed by Ramesh Khadka, depicts everyday life of the Chepangs, one of the endangered indigenous groups of Jawang, Dhading district who depend on wild fruits and roots. 'Beyul', presents the traditional Sherpa views of the Beyul as a sacred space, cohabited by many natural and supernatural beings. It was directed by Tsering Rhitar Sherpa. A fiction "Beti Bida" directed by Keshav Rayamajhi explores the Tharu's exploitation at the hands of the landlords.
Twenty-three Nepali Indigenous films and documentaries, and twenty-eight international films and documentaries from eleven international communities on the subject of indigenous peoples were screened during the festival. Those films screened at the festival depicted cultures, lifestyles, traditions, history, problems, and social issues faced by indigenous communities throughout the world.
IFA has been making an effort to promote, preserve, and revitalize indigenous knowledge, skills and cultural artifacts through film.
-Sangmo Yonjan-Tamang in Kathmandu
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