Deusi/Bhailo

Bhailo and Deusi, collectively known as Deusi/Bhailo, are Nepalese traditional folk songs sung during the Tihar festival in Nepal as well as in Darjeeling hills, Sikkim, Assam, and some other parts of India among the Gorkhali diaspora. Children as well as adults perform Deusi/Bhailo by singing songs and dancing as they go to various homes in their community, collecting money, sweets and food and giving blessings for prosperity.

Bhailo is generally performed by girls and women on the night of Lakshmi Puja whereas Deusi is performed by boys and men on the following night. Although in recent years, mixed groups perform it collectively on either of the two nights or both. The girls performing Bhailo are called Bhailini and the boys performing Deusi are called Deuse. At the end of these songs, the house owner serves food and gives money to the Deusi/Bhailo singers and dancers. In return, the Deusi/Bhailo team gives blessings of good fortune and prosperity.