CURATED NEWS OCTOBER 2020

October 26, 2020

Curated news is a bi-monthly series showcasing ideas, initiatives and practices from around the world and here in Ritoma. We hope these findings bring you fresh insights, a renewed sense of connection and grounding nourishment.

I N S I G H T

Investigate the significance of the plant kingdom on human life, consciousness and spirituality.

Contemplate the histories and rituals of Chile’s Selk’nam, a now extinct indigenous community.

Study the relationship of gender and women in Tibetan medicine.

C O N N E C T

Attend the Fibershed Symposium on how natural fiber and dye can positively impact soil and sea.

Journey to Nepal for a breath-taking introduction to hemp—from stalk to shirt.

Discover the work of Ana Mendieta, Cuban-American artist known for her "earth-body" artwork.

N O U R I S H

Share the wisdom of the moon through art, science, and spirit in a project by Tabita Rezaire.

Uplift with the sounds of Ranadhir Roy performing Raag Jaijaiwanti, Kolkata, 1985.

Experience the meaning of 100 sacred objects in a Tibetan Buddhist Shrine.

L O C A L

Oat Harvest. At the end of this month, Ritoma’s nomads harvest their oat fields, cutting the oats and tying them in neat bundles. This winter feed will be essential to their animals in the coming months.

Autumn Pastures. At the beginning of November, the animals return from the autumn pasture to the village and spend three days in the harvested fields, eating the leftovers of the crop. They will then go to their winter pasture, where they will remain until spring.

Winter Blessings. On the 7th of November, the men of the village will borrow the sacred volumes of the Kangyur and the Tengyur from the monastery (nearly three hundred in total) and tying several to their backs, will perform the Chokhor, blessing the winter area by circling it in a wide perimeter.

Torkya Ceremony. On the 14th of November is the Torkya ceremony at Ritoma Monastery, where the monks will perform a sacred dance and light a bonfire, meant as a bomb to annihilate obstacles for the coming year.

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