Adventure Travel Photography ASIA: The story behind the photos… carving a giant Phallus
The story behind the photos…strange cultures and tradition.
Carving a giant Phallus… was he the "Master Phallus Carver" in this Village?
It was during our last Adventure Photography Workshop; I strolled through the traditional Bhutan Village of Sopsokha, when a man approached and indicated that I should follow him, of course curiosity got the better of me and I went along.
After a few minutes we arrived at this house, he unlocked the door and politely ask me to come inside…did he invite me for a cup of tea I thought? But right there in the dark corridor, I saw WOW… the largest wooden Phallus ever… it was at-least some cool 5 foot in hight.
Without any explanation my new acquaintance picked up a chisel and hammer… gave me a cheeky smile and started to continue his craft. chopping away on this super large penis.
Carving a very large Phallus in the village of Sopsokha,Bhutan
Copyright all Rights reserved. Mandatory credit with image use:
© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
Shops selling carved penis and traditional houses decorated with Phallus symbols
Copyright all Rights reserved. Mandatory credit with image use:
© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
I had seen many other Phallus symbols in Bhutan, painted on Houses and for sale in all shapes and sizes in local souvenir shops, but this one was somehow special, not to mention its size.
Our craftsman kept on chiseling away at this monster… as we stood silently in this dark corridor in disbelieve… except for a big WOW that crossed our lips. Hubert who saw me wondering off earlier with a "strange man"…had followed me, he was also amazed seeing such a super large phallus…a first for both of us.
Against evil spirits; prayer flags, arrow and a
carved Phallus. right: A Phallus Handicraft shop
Copyright all Rights reserved. Mandatory credit with image use:
© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
Phallus paintings and carvings in Bhutan are esoteric symbols, which have their origins in the Chimi Lhakhang monastery near Punakha the former capital of Bhutan. The village monastery was built in honor of Lama Drukpa Kunley who lived in the 15-16th century and who was popularly known as the "Mad Saint" or “Divine Madman” for his unorthodox ways of teaching, which amounted to being bizarre and shocking.
These explicit paintings, though embarrassing to many urbanites now, this folk culture is now informally discouraged in urban centers, but can be seen painted on the walls of houses and buildings throughout Bhutan, particularly in villages and credited as Kunley's creations. Traditionally symbols of an erect penis in Bhutan have been intended to drive away the evil eye and malicious gossip.
You find these paintings on almost every house in particular at the
traditional village of Sopsokha,Bhutan
Copyright all Rights reserved. Mandatory credit with image use:
© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
Worship of the phallus was believed to be in practice even before the arrival of Guru Rimpoche and Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal…what is know about it, has been past on over many generations.
Phallic symbols are, generally not depicted in community temples and Dzongs (Fortress) which are most revered places of worship where Lamas or Buddhist monks reside.
But I seen them also during festivals in Bhutan, showing them off during dance performances and rituals.
Rural and ordinary houses continue to display them, in particular in the traditional village of Sopsokha where I found (or he found me) this master phallus carver.
After taken some shots I thanked our craftsman for his hospitality, I turned around at the door for one last look, and could not help noticing a big grin on our carvers face.
I guess he seen our stunned looks a few minutes earlier, I am sure he was very proud of this super Phallus he was creating, otherwise he would not have invited us into his home.
GD
The latest images from Bhutan are now on my PhotoShelter site, just click the large image on the Home page.
http://gdeichmann.photoshelter.com/
For more info go to:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phallus_paintings_in_Bhutan
