Novel - Dawa: The Story of a Stray Dog in Bhutan
Author - Kunzang Choden
Review by Kinley Y. Dorji (kins@kuensel.com.bt)
INTRODUCTION
Dawa has the gift to understand different human languages as he was an excellent translator in his previous life as a human being.
Dawa Koto is mangy and ugly but street smart and quick thinking with an unusually big dog brain. He has a beautiful voice, is sensitive in nature and has an amazing perception to understand human languages, especially Dzongkha.
Written in first person narrative with the background set in present day Bhutan, the novel traces Dawa Koto's adventures and experiences as he travels from Paro to Bumthang and his rise from discomfiting stray into a leader in the dog world.
Dawa, who loses his mother and his siblings in tragic circumstances as a young and helpless pup, wins over other stronger and ferocious dogs in Paro and Thimphu. His rise as the legendary "Leader of the Howling" is attributed to his beautiful voice and his strange gift to learn different languages.
It is the insatiable urge to travel that brings Dawa to Thimphu, his becoming the leader of the howling pack, and the eventual trip to Bumthang in search of a cure after he is infected with mange.
LIST OF CHARACTERS IN THE NOVEL
(Major Character)
Dawa Koto
Dawa Koto the yellow-brown dog is the main character in the novel. He is born in the cold December night in a dark alley in Paro town. He becomes an orphan when his family dies by eating a chuck of pork poisoned by human. Dawa has many amazing qualities, but it is his voice that shapes his life. He understands human languages because he was a translator in his previous life. He chose to call himself Dawa because he finds that he was as flawless as the moon. In Thimphu he was chosen as a howling leader and he also gets afflicted with mange.He goes to Bumthang in search of Gelong Ma Pelmo’s cave to cure himself from mange. After curing himself he goes back to Paro and Thimphu, and finds out that many things have changed in his absences. Finally he decides to spend his dog days at Changangkha.
Dawa Koto the yellow-brown dog is the main character in the novel. He is born in the cold December night in a dark alley in Paro town. He becomes an orphan when his family dies by eating a chuck of pork poisoned by human. Dawa has many amazing qualities, but it is his voice that shapes his life. He understands human languages because he was a translator in his previous life. He chose to call himself Dawa because he finds that he was as flawless as the moon. In Thimphu he was chosen as a howling leader and he also gets afflicted with mange.He goes to Bumthang in search of Gelong Ma Pelmo’s cave to cure himself from mange. After curing himself he goes back to Paro and Thimphu, and finds out that many things have changed in his absences. Finally he decides to spend his dog days at Changangkha.
Molay
Molay is an ancient grandmother who claims that at least half the dog population in Paro originated from her. She is reputed to be one of the wisest and oldest dogs in Paro. It is Molay who tells Dawa that there are other places beyond Paro which encourages Dawa to travel beyond the region.
Molay is an ancient grandmother who claims that at least half the dog population in Paro originated from her. She is reputed to be one of the wisest and oldest dogs in Paro. It is Molay who tells Dawa that there are other places beyond Paro which encourages Dawa to travel beyond the region.
Dampa
Dampa is a small and old muddy-colored dog with a white neck who has a peculiar heart shaped face. His eyes were large that would sparkle brightly and suddenly change to a clouded, vacant look. His body was slight, and his legs were spindly. He moves with swiftness that few dogs would be able to match. He lives in Changangkha and considers a true resident of Thimphu for being born right next to the temple. He speaks pure Dzongkha. Dawa first met Dampa during party at Lungtenphu. It is Dampa who advices Dawa to learn how to speak pure Dzongkha and who sends Dawa to school to learn honorific terms. When Dawa wanted to know where Gelong Ma Pelmo’s cave, it is Dampa who tells where the cave is and helps him find a dog who knows the detail to go to Tang.
Dampa is a small and old muddy-colored dog with a white neck who has a peculiar heart shaped face. His eyes were large that would sparkle brightly and suddenly change to a clouded, vacant look. His body was slight, and his legs were spindly. He moves with swiftness that few dogs would be able to match. He lives in Changangkha and considers a true resident of Thimphu for being born right next to the temple. He speaks pure Dzongkha. Dawa first met Dampa during party at Lungtenphu. It is Dampa who advices Dawa to learn how to speak pure Dzongkha and who sends Dawa to school to learn honorific terms. When Dawa wanted to know where Gelong Ma Pelmo’s cave, it is Dampa who tells where the cave is and helps him find a dog who knows the detail to go to Tang.
(Minor Characters)
Sonam Pem
Sonam Pem is a tall and heavy girl with dull eyes who was working as a maid in her cousin’s house and later goes to work for foreigners. Dawa first sees her chasing away all the dogs that had gathered in her compound. She was rather rough and was beating the dogs with a heavy stick. But as Dawa came by, she clicked her tongue to call him and scrapped a pan of rice and vegetables in front of him.
Sonam Pem is a tall and heavy girl with dull eyes who was working as a maid in her cousin’s house and later goes to work for foreigners. Dawa first sees her chasing away all the dogs that had gathered in her compound. She was rather rough and was beating the dogs with a heavy stick. But as Dawa came by, she clicked her tongue to call him and scrapped a pan of rice and vegetables in front of him.
Tangpa
Tangpa is an enormously overweight but handsome black dog who has the kindest and the gentlest pair of dog eyes on the black face. The brown fur marking around his eyes and mouth had the softening effect on his benevolent looks. The reason why he has become fat is not because of the food but his maleness has been taken out of him.
Tangpa is an enormously overweight but handsome black dog who has the kindest and the gentlest pair of dog eyes on the black face. The brown fur marking around his eyes and mouth had the softening effect on his benevolent looks. The reason why he has become fat is not because of the food but his maleness has been taken out of him.
Zorro
Zorro is a small proud, white, fluffy dog who is hugely entertaining; he got his name from a foreign hero from a foreign land. It seems that he is not happy with the food that he was given.
Zorro is a small proud, white, fluffy dog who is hugely entertaining; he got his name from a foreign hero from a foreign land. It seems that he is not happy with the food that he was given.
Grisly old dog
Grisly old dog is a lazy and lethargic dog who was deported from Bumthang. He corrects Dawa saying that he is in Mongar and shows Dawa all the places to avoid and the places where ordinary dogs congregated.
Grisly old dog is a lazy and lethargic dog who was deported from Bumthang. He corrects Dawa saying that he is in Mongar and shows Dawa all the places to avoid and the places where ordinary dogs congregated.
Merkhang
Merkhang is a very old dig with red-brown markings around his face and neck. He has a majestic looks of territoriality over his domain. He was an imposing guard dog once. He has long fur that need grooming. His eyes were piercing and he has a booming voice. The area under his eyes was wet, large folds of his upper lips hung below his chin like a fleshy beard. The untidy bristles on his face were coarse and gray and he has a slight tremor in his body.
Merkhang is a very old dig with red-brown markings around his face and neck. He has a majestic looks of territoriality over his domain. He was an imposing guard dog once. He has long fur that need grooming. His eyes were piercing and he has a booming voice. The area under his eyes was wet, large folds of his upper lips hung below his chin like a fleshy beard. The untidy bristles on his face were coarse and gray and he has a slight tremor in his body.
Nomola
Nomola is a gawky female yak dog, a teenager, who is going to be the next guard dog. She is good looking with huge joints and paws.
Nomola is a gawky female yak dog, a teenager, who is going to be the next guard dog. She is good looking with huge joints and paws.
Singyemo
Singyemo is a pretty, fluffy and shameless flirtatious female dog who has long fluttering eyelashes and who asks Dawa about his breed or lineage when he asks her to marry him for the season.
Singyemo is a pretty, fluffy and shameless flirtatious female dog who has long fluttering eyelashes and who asks Dawa about his breed or lineage when he asks her to marry him for the season.
Katu
Katu is an arrogant dog who walks away with Singyemo.
Katu is an arrogant dog who walks away with Singyemo.
Yellow dog
He is an eager youngster who tries to prove himself and who enumerate words.
He is an eager youngster who tries to prove himself and who enumerate words.
Gray dog
He is a wretched dog with mange who was treated badly by humans as well as other dogs. He has crushed and raw skin without any fur. His skin is filled with pus and spots of bloods that looked like ripe strawberries.
He is a wretched dog with mange who was treated badly by humans as well as other dogs. He has crushed and raw skin without any fur. His skin is filled with pus and spots of bloods that looked like ripe strawberries.
Big dog
He is a big dog following a shepherd who tells where Gelong Ma Pelmo’s cave is.
He is a big dog following a shepherd who tells where Gelong Ma Pelmo’s cave is.
Phuntsho
Phuntsho is a young monk at Thowadrak who is always eager for a chance to break solemnity of the disciplined monistic life and who tries to chase Dawa away. He is a wiser beyond his age.
Phuntsho is a young monk at Thowadrak who is always eager for a chance to break solemnity of the disciplined monistic life and who tries to chase Dawa away. He is a wiser beyond his age.
Tenzin Dorji
Tenzin Dorji is a monk at Thowadrak who loves dogs.
Tenzin Dorji is a monk at Thowadrak who loves dogs.
The three Pilgrims
The three pilgrims are three women who visit Thowadrak to offer butter lamp and prayers. It is because of them, Dawa finally finds Gelong Ma Pelmo’s cave.
The three pilgrims are three women who visit Thowadrak to offer butter lamp and prayers. It is because of them, Dawa finally finds Gelong Ma Pelmo’s cave.
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CHAPTERWISE SUMMERY
Chapter I: Who is Dawa?
In the first chapter we find that Dawa is born in Paro
on a cold December night with a litter of six. His mother is a skinny black
dog, who decides to replace the breast feeding with food, leads her puppies to
a garbage dump. That day they find a chunk of pork which they eat greedily.
Dawa, being the smallest and the weakest, could not climb on to the heap. He
somehow managed to climb the heap but he rudely gets pushed around. Soon
afterward his mother and his brothers and sisters fall like a rock from a cliff
leaving him all alone by himself.
Realizing that the death of his family is because of
human intervention he generated a fear for them. He mostly stays in hiding and
came out in the night to pick up the food rejected by other dogs which affected
his growth. Because of his misshaped body the other dogs called him Koto
(Crooked).
One full moon night, he looks at the moon and decided
to call himself as Dawa Koto. Exactly a year after he had chosen his new name,
he positioned himself and started his howling, from that day onward all the
dogs in Paro followed his lead to howl and bark.
One day Dawa sees a bag of dried fish busted open when
it was being unloaded from a truck in front of a shop. dozens of dogs appeared
from everywhere and began to help themselves. Dawa hears the shop owner
whispering to his son to get the whip. Dawa warns the other dogs to run away
from the danger.
Chapter II: Dawa in Thimphu
In order to attract female dogs Dawa creates an impressive lineage saying that his great-grandfather was a pure Damchi in Lhasa who was stolen by a vulture and later found by a shepherd.
Chapter II: Dawa in Thimphu
In order to attract female dogs Dawa creates an impressive lineage saying that his great-grandfather was a pure Damchi in Lhasa who was stolen by a vulture and later found by a shepherd.
One hot summer’s day, Molay tells Dawa that there are
other places beyond Paro. She also tells him about the description of the
journey to Thimphu. Dawa finally decides to go to Thimphu. Upon reaching
Thimphu Dawa finds out that it was like the dark sky full of stars and where he
gets surrounded by a pack of unfriendly dogs. Lured by the curiosity, Dawa
decides to follow the dogs that almost attacked him.
Finally, Dawa reaches a large concrete space where two
men were throwing the scraps. When Dawa was busy eating the meat he hears the
dogs talking about the howling leader who was taken by the dog catcher.
Suddenly Dawa was asked to lead the howling that night.
Chapter III: Dawa is educated
Many dogs in Thimphu congratulated Dawa and told him that he was destined to be a leader. Exploring the city Dawa knew how to find food in Thimphu; it was not the sense of smell that took dogs to the best feeding places. It was their visual alertness and auditory keenness that they had to rely on for a bellyful every day.
Chapter III: Dawa is educated
Many dogs in Thimphu congratulated Dawa and told him that he was destined to be a leader. Exploring the city Dawa knew how to find food in Thimphu; it was not the sense of smell that took dogs to the best feeding places. It was their visual alertness and auditory keenness that they had to rely on for a bellyful every day.
At Lungtenphu, at a party, Dawa meets with a
muddy-colored dog called Dampa, who advices Dawa to learn speak pure Dzongkha.
Keeping Dampa’s advice in mind, Dawa follows a big group of monks to learn pure
Dzongkha. Unfortunately, this group of monks did not speak pure Dzongkha
because every word was laced with a curse word. Dawa follows next group of
monks and he realized that they were speaking mixed language.
Finally, Dampa tells Dawa to follow a monk who speaks
the best Dzongkha and who is kind to dogs. Within a week Dawa was expert with
Dzongkha and decides to visit Dampa, whereby he was asked to go to human’s
school to learn honorific terms.
During one of the busy seasons when all dogs are
running all over the place, sniffing each other’s’ rear, Dawa come by a house
at Lower Motithang where a tall and heavy girl called Sonam Pem was chasing all
the dogs that had gathered in her compound. Upon seeing Dawa she clicks her
tongue and gives him some food. From that day on ward Dawa always goes to the
house and Sonam Pem seemed to wait for him with some food. In the meantime,
Sonam Pem goes to work for a foreign woman who owns a white dog who looks more
like a pig than a dog. However, DaWa’s visit to Sonam Pem ends when Dawa sees
Sonam Pem with the white dog resting on her lap.
Chapter IV: The Underdog
Dawa finds that in Thimphu there are three most powerful leaders; The Leader of Territories, The Leader of Warning and Signal and The leader of Howling. He also finds out that their territory extended from Dzong to National Hospital and from Lower Motithang to the Vegetable Market.
Chapter IV: The Underdog
Dawa finds that in Thimphu there are three most powerful leaders; The Leader of Territories, The Leader of Warning and Signal and The leader of Howling. He also finds out that their territory extended from Dzong to National Hospital and from Lower Motithang to the Vegetable Market.
Dawa is not happy in becoming the leader because he
comes to know that once a leader is forced to resign he is pronounced as the
disgraced underdog who does not have any dog right and is defenseless. Another
reason why Dawa is not happy is because of the Leader of Territories who was
trying to identify those who had opposed the move of giving him the additional
post of Leader of Population Expansion.
Chapter V: Dawa runs away
Chapter V: Dawa runs away
Dawa experiences the dreaded itching all over his body.
In order to comfort himself he goes to the National Memorial Chorten hoping to
have a comforting, healing effect on his body. Dawa hears two old people
talking about Gelong Ma Pelmo who had prayed and meditated in a cave and got
cured from leprosy. Overcome with excitement he walks away but he did not know
where the cave is.
A little old dog tells Dawa some of the names of the
passes and in which direction Dawa needs to go in order to go to Bumthang. Very
early in the morning Dawa runs away, but meets with a group of dogs at
Lungtenphu who almost attack him. Upon reaching Wangduephodrang, Dawa is
greeted by a skinny young dog and finds out that the dogs in Wangduephodrang
bears the price of human cleanliness.
Chapter VI: 1, 2, 3 passes
Chapter VI: 1, 2, 3 passes
After climbing Pelela, Dawa steals food from a camp of
yak herders which make him feel embarrass. After crossing two passes Dawa
reaches the compound of the huge Chorten, which is beautifully located on the
river bank, where Dawa is given some wonderful and varied meal by some tourist.
Fully satisfied Dawa continued his journey to Trongsa.
At Trongsa Dawa saw many cute little dogs chained in front of the shops.
Chapter VII: Dawa in Mongar
Chapter VII: Dawa in Mongar
Dawa finds that the distance between Trongsa and
Bumthang was very long, but later on with the help of a grisly old dog Dawa
finds out that he is in Mongar. The reason for reaching Mongar is because Dawa
did not considered Kikila as a pass because he did not know the significant of
Kikila. Dawa also finds out that the grisly old dog was deported from Bumthang.
Dawa decides to stay in Mongar for a couple of days
and grisly old dog showed him all the places to avoid and the places where
ordinary dogs congregate.
Chapter VIII: Back in Bumthang
Dawa decides to go back to Bumthang and on the way he
meets with a gray mangy dog. Dawa feels pity for the gray dog because he is not
being treated well by the humans as well as by other dogs. Towards the morning
Dawa finds that the mangy ridden dog had died and a woman is worried how to get
rid of the carcass. Not wanting to see or hear any more Dawarushes off towards
Bumthang.
When Dawa is about to reach Thrumshingla, he meets
with a yellow dog who induce Dawa to go to Choekor valley. Upon reaching
Choekor, Dawa decides to visit the village on the plateau and meets with two
dogs called Zorro and Tangpa. Dawa stays for three days with his new found
friends, who gladly shared their food with him.
Chapter IX: In Tang
Chapter IX: In Tang
Somewhere along the way to Tang Dawa finds out that
there is no Electricity and telephone, however Dawa finds out that even without
telephone, people could communicate very effectively. After crossing the
village Dawa finally knows where the cave is located with the help of a big dog.
Before going to Thowadrak, Dawa decides to stay back
for a day in order to see a human meeting. Somehow the meeting gets postponed
because the questioners could not be made.
Chapter X: Thowadrak
Dawa finally reaches Thowadrak and almost gets chased away by a monk called Phuntsho but the elderly monk suddenly stops Phuntsho and tells him to inform other monks to let Dawa stay at Thowadrak. Days go by but Dawa could not find the cave that he came to look for. However, he finds a cave that has been occupied by a hermit and he decides to stay outside the entrance of the cave.
Chapter X: Thowadrak
Dawa finally reaches Thowadrak and almost gets chased away by a monk called Phuntsho but the elderly monk suddenly stops Phuntsho and tells him to inform other monks to let Dawa stay at Thowadrak. Days go by but Dawa could not find the cave that he came to look for. However, he finds a cave that has been occupied by a hermit and he decides to stay outside the entrance of the cave.
One early morning the hermit gives some food to Dawa
on a dried rhododendron and he decides to leave the cave because he doesn’t
want to distract the hermit in his meditation.
Chapter XI: The full-moon night
During the fifteenth day of the month, tree pilgrims come to Thowadrak to offer butter lamps and prayers and it is with the help of these pilgrims that Dawa finally finds Gelong Ma Pelmo’s cave. From that day onward Dawa submits himself to Gelong Ma Pelmo but one day Dawa felt that something was missing in him. At once he realizes that the mange was gone.
Chapter XI: The full-moon night
During the fifteenth day of the month, tree pilgrims come to Thowadrak to offer butter lamps and prayers and it is with the help of these pilgrims that Dawa finally finds Gelong Ma Pelmo’s cave. From that day onward Dawa submits himself to Gelong Ma Pelmo but one day Dawa felt that something was missing in him. At once he realizes that the mange was gone.
Before going back to Thimphu, Dawa decides to visit
all the villages that he had seen when he was at Thowadrak. Nothing eventful
happens but he gets attacked by a dog called Merkhang when he visits a village
beyond of Uri Ngphang. Dawa knew that if he stays any longer near Merkhang he
would be humiliated so he heads towards Thimphu. On the way he spends a night
at Kikila, but gets disturbed and distracted by passing trucks.
Chapter XII: Back to where it all began
When Dawa reaches Paro, he finds out that Molay had died a long time ago and in his absence Paro had developed. He sees that there were many houses and cars that helped in pollinating the surrounding.
Chapter XII: Back to where it all began
When Dawa reaches Paro, he finds out that Molay had died a long time ago and in his absence Paro had developed. He sees that there were many houses and cars that helped in pollinating the surrounding.
Dawa position himself and as a farewell and tribute to
Molay and Paro he howls for the last time.
Upon reaching Thimphu, Dawa finds out that Dampa too
had died a long time ago and most of the dogs had no idea who he was. Dawa
finally decides to spend the rest of his dog days in Thimphu in front of
Changangkha Lhakhang.
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THEMES
-
Religion and culture
-
The search for self-knowledge
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Hardship and losses
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The need to belong to a society by building strong
bonds of friendship and loyalty
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Perseverance (continued effort and determination)
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Tolerance, leadership, pursuit, of one’s own path in
life
-
Modernization taking a toll on Bhutan
-
The need for altruism as a leader
-
Change in the physical and spiritual kingdom of Bhutan
-
Finding significance in everyday life
-
Circle of karma
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SYMBOLS
·
Dawa, both the character and the name
·
Dampa
·
Molay
·
Dawa’s journey
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IMPORTANT NOTES
1. Imaginary
Lineage
Dawa fell in love with pretty, fluffy and shameless
flirtatious Singyemo. He wanted to marry her for the season, but she wanted to
know his breed or lineage. Dawa had to have pedigree, so he invented an impressive
lineage by pasting together bits of stories he had heard here and there. He
said that his great grandfather was not an ordinary Damchi he was a pure Damchi
in prestigious household in Lhasa who was stolen from his litter by a vulture
on the day he was born. He was raised in a vulture’s nest, high atop a sheer
rock face, not in a low and dirty corner. Growing up on bird food instead of
dog food had stunted his normal growth. However, he was found by a shepherd and
presented it to aristocratic lady of the house who fed only a fistful of barley
flour mixed with a little butter tea because she did not want him to grow
beyond the stage of tiny, cute dog so that she won’t be able to keep him in her
sleeve and he won’t be able to warm her with his furry little body.
2. Death of Dawa’s
family
Food was hard to come by, Dawa’s mother realized the
urgency of her waning strength and the imminent danger of starving her babies; therefore,
she decides to supplement the breast feeding.
One day she led her babies to a garbage dump and
taught them to pick out the best edibles from the rotting heap. On that
particular day there was an irresistible chunk of pork, which they ate greedily
before the other dogs arrived. But Dawa being the smallest and the weakest was
not able to climb the heap at first. Then he was rudely pushed around by his
siblings that he could not get near that delicious piece of meat. He watched
helplessly as the family feasted and soon afterward he watched them foaming at
their mouth, their bodies twitching and jerking convulsively. Finally, each
dropped like a rock leaving Dawa all by himself in the cruel world dominated by
human beings.
3. Dawa gets his
name
The lack of balanced nutrition manifested in the
rickets-ravaged legs that precariously supported his misshaped body. That’s why
he came to be known as Koto, or Crooked. Although he answered to this name, he
had never approved of it. He felt incomplete and idiotic with such a name.
One full moon night, the fifteenth of the fourth month
according to the Bhutanese calendar, he was wandering around town like most of
the dogs, with nothing particular to do. After he had gone around town more
than half a dozen times, he lifted his head sadly and suddenly saw the big,
circular yellow mystery in the dark night sky.
All at once, he felt an overwhelming sense of wonder.
As he gazed at it, he realized that the moon was flawless while he himself was
the perfect example of everything that is not perfect and blemished, an orphan
with a dirty – looking coat and a disproportionate body. So he continued to
gaze at the moon for a long time until his whole body shook impulsively. No
sound of the intended bark ensued through his open mouth. Instead, a huge sob
filtered into the cold night air. It was not a sob of sadness or anguish, but a
sob of revelation. He would call himself Dawa Koto, or the Crooked Moon.
4. Practicing
howling
Dawa wanted to become a respected member of the dog
community in Paro. He wanted to become somebody that the others looked up to
and took seriously, someone who could influence others and be recognized. But
he had neither looks and stature nor the breeding and education of a leader.
However, he knew that he could rely on the gift from his dead family, his
voice. So he decided to work on himself.
Dawa found a wonderful quiet place on the left bank of
the Paro River. Watching his reflection, he stood on the sandy bank and
positioned his legs. The front paws spread easily but firmly and the weight of
his body on his hind legs optimized the posture. Then he tensed his shoulders
and raised his head resolutely but calmly into the air, his snout at an angle
and his eyes focused on the imaginary moon. He inhaled deeply, and as he held
his breath he imagined his dead family then howled as inspired by their image.
Exactly a year after he had chosen his new name and
identity, he waited for the moon to rise. He watched the moon as it glided into
view. Before any yelp or howl could be heard, he positioned himself and started
his slow, muffled bark that flowed into a crescendo and then tipped into
lingering tenor. There was a complete silence, but Dawa went on for three
times, and before he could finish the third call, some dogs picked up and
responded in chorus.
5. Dawa in his
previous life
One day Dawa was sitting near a drain that separated
the street from the shop, a bag of dried fish burst open when it was being unloaded
from a truck. At least dozens of dogs appeared from everywhere and began to
help themselves shamelessly
The shop owner, in a cool and scheming whisper, told
his son to bring the whip. In the meantime, Dawa warns the other dogs to run
away from the impending danger. After a little while, the dogs sought out Dawa
and asked how he knows human language. Dawa had no answer except to say that he
just understood it. What he did not know was that he was the rebirth of an
excellent and well-reputed translator from a distant country and he could speak
and understand many more languages than just Dzongkha.
6. Different Dog
leaders
Dawa found out that there are three most powerful dog
leaders; the Leader of Territories, the Leader of Warning and Signals and the
Leader of Howling.
The responsibility of the leader of Territories is to
protect the territory and chase away all the dogs that do not belong to his
territory. He also has a band of well-muscled veterans whose job was to patrol
the boundaries and mark them every day. The responsibility of the Leader of
Warning and Signal is to warn and give signal to all the dogs from danger like
dog catchers. And finally the responsibility of thee Leader of Howling is to
lead the howling pack.
7. Dawa’s followers
As a Leader of Howling he had self-appointed followers
who never left his side. They jumped to do what they thought he would want them
to do. Some of them even went to the extent of saying things that they thought
he would say or want them to say. They literally stole the words out of his
mouth. These dogs lived in a twisted world they created for themselves, a
make-believe dogs’ world.
8. The Under dog
The underdog; a most dreaded and despised post, was
the formal Leader of Warning and Signal, he was forced to resign after he
failed to warn the dogs from dog catchers when Dawa’s predecessor, the Leader
of Howling, had been taken to the pound. It was so disreputable that it is
second only to being impounded by the municipality. Once pronounced as the
disgrace underdog, the poor creature has no dog rights and was absolutely
defenseless. Every dog in the area was allowed to humiliate the underdog,
either verbally or physically. Those who were able to could bark and snarl and
even bite him, while others could tease and taunt him, and he was never allowed
to fight back even in self-defense. So all the dogs, puppies and even female
dogs were allowed to attack him in any way they like.
9. The rule of a
pack
Every dog in the area was allowed to humiliate the
underdog, either verbally or physically. Those who were able to could bark and
snarl and even bite him, while others could tease and taunt him, and he was
never allowed to fight back even in self-defense. So all the dogs, puppies and
even female dogs were allowed to attack him in any way they like.
On the other hand, the dog leadership rules have no
provisions for any leader to voluntarily resign. A leader either dies on the
job or become an underdog. Old age is the long-term inevitability, but the
prospect of becoming an underdog is short-term reality.
10. History of Kikila
Kikila means dog pass. It is the most important pass
for dogs. It is said that a long time ago when the enemies of Thuksay Dawa, the
spiritual son of the great saint Pema Lingpa, reached the pass, the protecting
deities of Thuksay Dawa had turned themselves into ferocious dogs and did not
allow the enemies beyond the pass into the Chumey valley, where Thuksay Dawa
was living. From then onward, the pass came to be known as Kikila pass, or dog
pass.
11. Dog dynamics in Mongar
The grisly old dog in Mongar told Dawa to avoid the
place that some bosses called ‘our area’ and where the followers of the bosses
gathered. These groups gathered in front of the main shops, the parking lot and
the Dzong area, wanting to be seen by all in self-importance. They had the
knack for looking busy and important, even if they were actually doing nothing
beyond simply letting out a yelp or a useless bark every now and then. Their
eyes darted in all the directions, and they fidgeted unceasingly while saying
they are busy as if it was a magical mantra that would make them busy.
The ordinary dogs scavenged in the dark alleys between
the houses and the shops, letting the fidgety busy ones keep to themselves.
Most of the time, the ordinary dogs found enough food in these places to fill
their bellies and were content. They lived by a simple philosophy that they do
not desire what they cannot see. The threshold of happiness for these dogs was
very low, and they were happy most of the time.
12. Deportation of dogs
Deportation means to force someone to leave a
particular place.
According to the grisly old dog; one fine day dogs in
Bumthang were just going around as usual, minding their own business, when they
were rounded up and loaded on a truck and dumped in Mongar. The reason why they
were deported in Mongar was; that year there was a huge increase in the
population of dogs and dogs were noticed everywhere.
Many dogs went back immediately; they did not even try
to stay a few days to see the place because dogs are very attached to their
birth places. None of the dogs were brought back, because in the meantime there
was some problem among the people. The idea transporting dogs from district to
another was not agreeable to all concerned.
13. Finding Gelong Ma Pelmo’s cave
With much difficulty Dawa finally reaches Thowadrak,
but upon reaching he finds many rock outcrop and miniature caves all around.
After many weeks he finds a cave which is occupied by a hermit in meditation.
Dawa suddenly grew frightened that the hermit might be occupying the very cave
he was looking for. But he decides to stay outside the entrance to the cave.
One early morning the hermit gives him some food which puts an abrupt end to
his plan. So he finds himself a small shelter under an outcrop of a rock. On
the fifteenth day of the month, Dawa spies three pilgrims coming to Thowadrak.
After visiting the temple one of the pilgrims ask the caretaker where Gelong Ma
Pelmo’s cave is, and this is how Dawa finally comes to know that the small
shelter under the outcrop of a rock where he had decided to sit is actually the
cave of Gelong Ma Pelmo.
14. Changes that Dawa finds after coming
Back to Where It All Began
As Dawa walked down the Paro Street, some of the older
dog recognized him and greeted him amicably. The only reason to be back in Paro
was to meet with Old Molay. But Dawa finds out that she had died several years
ago and he also finds out that there are many wastes thrown in the river. Some
of the big willow trees and the huge bounders were still there. There were many
cares on the road, a big mechanical workshop just across the road and houses
everywhere he looked.
It was the same in Thimphu; he found out that Dampa
too had died a long time ago. Most of the young population had no idea who he
was, only some had vaguely heard about him. The nightly howling was cacophonous
not orchestrated and disciplined as it was during his time.
___________________________________________
POINTS
TO REMEMBER
Chapter
I
a) The
experiences that Dawa undergoes in becoming an orphan
b) Recognition of
his latent talent
c) How
the protagonist got his name: Dawa
d) Concept
of rebirth
e) Concept
of karma (Lay Jumday)
Chapter
II
a) Introduction
to Molay
b) Dawa’s
lineage to reveal his character
c) Description
of the journey to Thimphu
d) Discovery
of Dawa’s talent by accident in Thimphu
Chapter
III
a) Dawa’s
leadership qualities
b) Dawa’s
encounter with maid Sonam Pem
c) The
important of Dzongkha
d) The
impact of TV on life in Bhutan
e) The
roles of Dampa
Chapter
IV
a) Responsibilities
of different dog leaders
b) The
rules of the pack
c) The
burdens of being a leader
Chapter
V
a) Dawa’s
experience with mange
b) Significance
of the story of Gelong Ma Pelmo
c) The
beginning of the journey towards Bumthang
d) The
dogs bearing the price for human cleanliness
Chapter
VI
a) The
concept of how Dawa feels after stealing food out of hunger
b) The
characterization of the dogs in Trongsa
Chapter
VII
a) The
deportation of dogs from Bumthang to Mongar
b) The
dog dynamics in Mongar
c) The
legend of Kikila
Chapter
VIII
a) Dawa
experience death for second time
b) Introduction
to Tangpa and Zorro
Chapter
IX
a) Communication
without telephone
b) The
human meeting
Chapter
X
a) In
search of Gelong Ma Pelmo’s cave
b) A
cave occupied by a hermit
Chapter
XI
a) Discovery
of Dawa’s destiny
b) Physical
healing and spiritual realization
Chapter
XII
a) Molay’s
death in the light of his age
b) Dawa’s
unease with life in Paro
c) The
impact of modernization in Bhutan
d) Dawa’s
decision to retire to Changangkha Lhakhang in Thimphu
_____________________________________________
QUESTIONS
1. How
did Dawa’s family died?
2. Dawa
gained a unique voice after his family’s death. What do you think would have
happened to Dawa’s talent if they were still alive?
3. What
does Koto mean? Was it an embarrassment to have such a name? Justify your
answer by relating to some nicknames you use for your friends and family.
4. Who
was Dawa in his previous life?
5. How
and why did Dawa change his name from Koto to Dawa?
6. Who
is Molay?
7. Why
does Dawa create an imaginary lineage for himself?
8. Describe
Dawa’s journey from Paro to Thimphu.
9. What
does Dawa do in order to be selected as a leader?
10. What
are the qualities that a leader should have? Does Dawa have these qualities?
11. Who
is Dampa?
12. What
are the roles and functions of Dampa and Molay?
13. Describe
Dawa’s encounter with Dampa?
14. If
you were reborn as a dog how would you feel? Justify your answer by comparing
yourself to Dawa.
15. What
is the importance of Dawa’s encounter with maid Sonam Pem?
16. Is
TV a threat to our national language, Dzongkha?
17. What
are the functions and responsibilities of different dog leaders?
18. Identify
the rules of the pack.
19. Infer
the meaning of the following lines: (Pg 54 last paragraph last line) “The only
difference now between Dawa and the other leaders was that the others enjoyed
their position of power, while Dawa worried and fretted over it.”
20. Describe
Dawa’s experience with mange.
21. Who
is Gelong Ma Pelmo?
22. What
role does the story of Gelong Ma Pelmo play upon Dawa?
23. Dawa
feels guilty and embarrassed after stealing food in Pelela. If you were in his
place would you have felt the same? Justify your answer.
24. Write
the history of Kikila.
25. What
is deportation?
26. What
is the main reason for the deportation of dogs from Bumthang to Mongar?
27. Instead
of deportation dogs, can you propose an alternative to dig deportation?
28. Discuss
the dog dynamics in Mongar.
29. What
kind of followers did Dawa had in Thimphu?
30. What
do people of Tang use at night to light their house?
31. Was
it difficult for the people of Tang to communicate with each other? Justify
your answer with examples.
32. Describe
how Dawa finds his way to Gelong Ma Pelmo’s cave?
33. Elaborate
5-6 similes and metaphors from Dzongkha to English.
34. Why
does Dawa leave the hermit alone?
35. What
are the relationship among the moon, Dawa and Gelong Ma Pelmo’s cave?
36. Do
you think Dawa was cured because of Gelong Ma Pelmo? Justify your answer.
37. What
does Dawa realize from Molay’s death?
38. Why
does Dawa decide to retire to Changangkha Lhakhang in Thimphu? Justify your
answer.
39. What
are some of the themes that emerge from the novel?
40. What
are some of the changes that Dawa sees after coming back to Paro and Thimphu?
__________________________________________
REFERENCES
Dorji, Kinley Y. (2005). Review of Dawa: The Story of a Stray Dog in Bhutan. Kuensel, Retrieved from https://www.kuenselonline.com
CERD.(2005).BCSE English Curriculum Guide for Teachers . CERD, MoE, Paro.
Choden, Kunzang. (2007). Dawa: The story of a Stray Dog in
Bhutan. Thimphu, Bhutan: KMT Press