Dancers
from Yushu Prefecture performing at the summer
Khampa festival, which attracts Tibetans from all over eastern Tibet.
Tibetan
New Year (February or March)
It
is the greatest festival in Tibet. In ancient times when the peach
tree was in blossom, it was considered as the starting of a new
year. Since the systematization of the Tibetan calendar in 1027
A.D., the first day of the first month became fixed as the new year.
On the New Year's day, families unite " auspicious dipper"
is offered and the auspicious words " tashi delek" are
greeted.
Saga
Dawa Festival (May or June)
It
is the holiest in Tibet, there memorable occasions coincide on this
day, Buddha's birth and Buddha's enlightenment. Almost every person
within Lhasa join in circumambulating round the city and spend their
late afternoon on picnic at " Dzongyab Lukhang" park at
the foot of Potala.
Gyantse Horse Race & Archery (May or June)
Horse
race and archery are generally popular in Tibet, and Gyantse enjoys
prestige of being the earliest in history by starting in 1408. Contests
in early times included horse race, archery, and shooting on gallop
followed by a few days' entertainment or picnicing. Presently,ball
games, track and field events, folk songs and dances, barter trade
are in addition to the above.
Changtang
Chachen Horse Race Festival (10 August)
As
the most important festival in North Tibet during the golden season
on the grassland,thousand of herdsmen throng to Nakchu riding fine
horses,and carrying the local products.They form as city of tens
south of Nakchu town. There will be thrilling horse race, archery
and demonstrations of horsemanship. Songs and dance troupes from
all part of Tibet will add to the fun.
Shoton
Festival ( August)
It
is the opera festival and the greatest festivals in tibet.In ancient
times pious folks went into mountain hermitages for penance, and
on the last day of which yogourt was served for meal followed by
entertainment of folk songs and daces. Since 7th century, opera
performances were held for days in Norbu Lingka. Presently, opera
contests and distribution of prizes are held for seven days.
Harvest
Festival (September)
The
farmers in Lhasa, Gyantse and Shannan to celebrating their summer
harvest in this time. During that time, people enjoy with horse
racing games, costume fashion show, songs and dance, archery and
picnic etc.
Bathing
Week (September)
It
is believed when the sacred planet Venus appears in the sky, the
water in the river becomes purest and cure deseases. During its
appearance for one week in the sky, all the people in Tibet go into
the river for bathing.
Kungbu
Traditional Festival (November of December)
Long
long ago,when Tibet was in danger of large scale invasion, the Kongpo
people sent out an army to defend their homeland.It was in September
and the soldiers worried that they might miss the New Year,highland
barley wine and other good things.So people had the Tibetan New
Year on 1st October ahead of time.To memorize those brave soldiers
Kongpo people present three sacrifices an stay up at night from
then on. And now it has become the Kongpo Festival for entertainment
like Kongpo dancing, horse race, archery and shooting.
Tens
of thousands of Tibetans and visitors flocked to
the Drepung Monastery in Lhasa, Tibet’s capital
Shoton
Festival begins in Tibet
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