The
Birth of the Buddha: The 15th day of the fourth month on
the Tibetan calendar is said to be the birthday of Sakyamuni, and
the day when he died and attained Nirvana. During this period, hundreds
of thousands of people turn their prayer wheels on the street in
Lhasa, and then paddle boats in the Dragon King Pool, and sing and
dance in the afternoon.
Horse
Racing Festival, Gyangze: Horse racing and arrow shooting
are very popular in Tibet. Horseracing appeared in the form of sports
in 1408. Apart from horse racing, arrow shooting, and shooting arrows
on Horseback during the festival, there are also cultural and commercial
activities.
Chugbacexi
Festival: Buddhists in Tibet believe this is the first
day Sakyamuni preached. During the festival, people are in the best
conduct. They worship and recite scriptures in the monasteries on
the mountains near Lhasa, and sing and dance until the sun sets.
Yalong
Cultural Festival: The Yalong Cultural Festival is one
of the important components of the Tibetan culture. The festival
includes national sports games, folk dances, Tibetan opera, and
Tibetan dress show, aiming at demonstrating the brilliance of the
Tibetan culture and the new life of the Tibetan people today.
Xuedun
Festival: The Xuedun (Fermented Milk) Festival is one of
the major festivals in Tibet. In the past, Buddhists cultivated
themselves in mountains. After the cultivation, their family would
come, bringing with them fermented milk. On their way home, they
drank the milk, sang and danced. Beginning in the 17th century,
the Xuedun Festival was renamed as the Tibetan Opera Festival. Every
year, famous Tibetan opera troupes perform in Norpulingkha near
Lhasa.
Qiangtang
Kyagqen Horse Racing Festival: During this festival, the
grandest gathering in the fall on the Northern Plain in Tibet, herdsmen
pour into Nagqu, and live in tents, which stretches for miles. There
are various activities, such as horse racing arrow shooting, horsemanship,
and commodity fairs.
Damgyiru
Festival: This festival is one of the most important traditional
festivals in Damxung County, Lhasa. The activities include commodity
fairs, horse racing, and arrow shooting contests, horsemanship,
and singing and dancing performances.
Ghost-Exorcising
Festival: To drive away evil spirits and to welcome the
New Year, the Ghost-Exorcising Festival is held on the 29th day
of the 12th month in the Potala palace, Lhasa. Such activities as
sorcerer's dances in a trance are also held in monasteries in Tibet.
The
Bathing Festival: The Festival is held in the 7th month
of the Tibetan calendar, it lasts for 7 days from 6 to 12. It is
exactly the end of summer and the beginning of autumn with wind
moderation and the sunshine on the Plateau. Tibetans, both old and
young, man and woman, from towns or countryside or pastoral areas,
go to rivers to take a holy bath. It is said to be able to heal
diseases and keep you fit.
Ongkor
Festival: It is a holiday for Tibetans, looking forward
to harvest. It is usually celebrated when crops are ripe, and will
last three to five days. People dress up, hold colorful flags with
good wishes, carry a "harvest tower" built with barley
stalks and ears. They sing and dance, beat drums and gongs and walk
around the fields. On this day, people also enjoy horseracing etc.
Then they will begin the intense autumn harvest.
The
Fairy Maiden Festival: Every 15th day of the 10th month
by Tibetan Calendar is the Maiden Festival. Lots of religious activities
are held. Tibetan women regard it as their own holiday, so they
are more active and energetic than men.
Paying
Homage to the Holy Mountain Festival: The 4th of the 6th
month by Tibetan calendar is a religious festival for the front
Tibetan area. It is believed to be the day Sakyamuni first preached
a sermon with a prayer wheel. On this day, people go to monasteries
and temples to pay their homage to Buddha, to offer joss-sticks
and to circumambulate holy mountains; they have picnics and enjoy
themselves with singing and dancing in the fields.
Butter Lamp Festival:
The lantern show is held on the evening of the 15th day of the first
month. To honor the memory of Sakyamuni, butter sculptures of figures,
flowers, birds, and animals are displayed along Barkhor Street.
People sing and dance in great joy throughout the night.
