“Ghinitwang, Ghinitwang Ghintang Ghisi Twang” is the primary traditional song or beat sung during the Ghintang Ghisi dance in the Bhaktapur Gaijatra (Sa:Paru). It is a song danced to the rhythm of Dhime and other traditional instruments while striking sticks.
During the Gaijatra of Bhaktapur, the traditional Ghintanghisi dance (a dance performed with sticks) along with satire on the political system and contemporary political situation have become the specialty of the Gaijatra of Bhaktapur.
During the Gaijatra, as many people as Bhaktapur city residents have died in the past year (from this year’s Gaijatra to the next year’s Gaijatra), usually the same number of Tahasan (symbol of cows) are taken around the city with the music of a drum. The procession, which starts from the house where the person died, ends after reaching the same house and circumambulates Bhaktapur city. The traditional Ghintanghisi is started with a satirical Ghintanghisi.
The traditionally popular short excerpt is as follows:
Its meaning is roughly “Where should the Tahamcha (a cow symbol made in memory of the deceased be placed) Should it be placed in the hole of the old house or should it be floated in the river that does not meet there?” It is in the question-answer style.
Ghintang Ghisi is a special original dance of the Bhaktapur Gaijatra (Sa:Paru). The participants in the dance form pairs and beat their sticks to create a rhythm, and this “Twak” sound makes the dance rhythm even more lively.
