Folklore: The legend of the Dolang Baje (an oldman)
Collection: Kishor Subba Limbu
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| A Random pic of an Old Man Photo Source: Social Media |
A long time ago, there was a Dolang Baje (an old man). He was known by various names like SriJetha, Dolang Lunga, Dolang Daju, Dolang Kaka, Dolang Budha, etc. There was no road access in the village at that time, and there was no telephone or mobile. Dolang Baje used to visit the villages of Sankhuwasabha, Bhojpur, Taplejung, Tehrathum, Dhankuta, Panthar, and other villages in Nepal's eastern hills.Dolang Baje would be delighted to be a porter carrying a Dhakar (bamboo basket) of Koseli (gift) when he arrived in the village.
Dolang Baje's house was in the village of Hensing Gaun, above Barhabise Bazar of the Sankhuwasabha. Dolang Baje used to be monotonous, or he had a habit of changing topics while speaking to people.While talking about one thing, he used to add another, another, and another context. He was also known as Narad or Hulaki (the transmitter of the messages from one village to another village) as he travelled from village to village. Dolang Baje wore only a shirt on top and a dhoti (lagauti) on the bottom. At that time, the custom of wearing lagauti had disappeared. We used to follow him around and tease him about his lagauti.He kept the fire burning all night, and so much firewood was finished when he stayed for the night.
Dolang Baje has lots of funny stories in the village. One day, they were swimming in the Sabhaya River; his brother was swept away by the river, but he stood up looking for his brother.
Dolang Baje doesn't know how to plow. The rope to connect the oxen and the wooden plough is called Hallund in general, but the Dolang Baje used to call it Hallando. It almost sounds erotic in Nepali colloquial slang. We used to tease him while he pronounced Hallando. We made him repeat the words again and again for fun. Dolang Baje was a powerful man.When he first started dhiki (traditional rice husking), he did it faster than most people.
The Jimwal chief once travelled to Madhes.The chief rode on horseback, and Dolang Baje had to come slowly carrying Satuchamal (logistics), so Dolang Baje walked, following the horse step by step, and he told the location of the night's stay in the evening.Dolang Baje said, "Chief, your horse would be walking a little bit."
Once, an important paper from the chief was missing, and the chief was guessing for the Dolang Baje. No matter how many inquiries are made to the Dolang Baje, he does not tell the truth, so one day, the Chief proposes to visit a renowned Dhami (shaman or fortune teller) the next day. But the Dolang Baje disagrees to go to the Dhami and suggests to search properly; it might be misplaced, and you are the one blaming me for nonsense. The next day, the paper was found in the same place.
Dolang Bajai didn't even know his age. But when someone called him an old man, he was furious. Dolang Baje didn't even know how to count money. If someone gave him money, he would refuse to take back the return money he bought.
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| Random pic of an old man Photo source: Social Media |
Dolang Baje used to hum a song sometimes when he was alone, pulling sulfa (tobacco) at night. "Ainako Dhoko Tirimiri Dhoko, Thuliu.." is a song.We used to make him sing that song. Thuli would be Subedar's daughter in the village.Subedar used to entice her to marry him and take his job.Dolang Baje used to sit by the hearthstones near Thuli and say, "Thuli bholi ta suitai hai." (We have to escape tomorrow.)
Dolang Baje had a sexual intercourse experience in his life with a woman living in Majorpati, Chainpur. His sexual story was also very teasing. When some mischievous boys questioned him about sex, he would show his two fingers and say, "Do you see the Dandikath (a wooden v)?"This is what is done by pointing with two fingers and pointing with the other hand's finger to show the penetration.
The man with many interesting stories, Dolang Baje, spent the last days of his life at the Bahrabise. When the age of Facebook arrived, it was discovered that he had died.God would then bless him for his soul.
(Source : Bikram Yakkha, Pachkhapan- 6, Sankhuwasabha, Nepal.)
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