Tibetan Festivals

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 AD., 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.

Butter Oil Lantern Festival (February or March)

It's held on the 15th of the first lunar month. Huge yak-butter sculptures are placed around Lhasa's Barkhor circuit.

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 circumambulations 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 archert are generally popular in Tibet, andGyantse 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.Tibetan Festivals

Tibetan Culture and Entertainment

Horse Racing
According to historic documents, the forefathers of Huanglong were cavalrymen of the East Tibetan Army during the Tibetan reign in China, who loved the adventurous and powerful horse racing.
The third day of the Tibetan lunar January, all the villages become lively where people wear new clothes waiting at the open and flat horseracing ground surrounded by green grasses. The horse racers are outstanding young people who like to crowd at any horseracing place whereve r it happens.

Wrestling
Tibetan wrestling is similar to that of Mongolia, but with some of its own features. The wrestlers are ruled to use hands only, instead of feet or tricks.

Xuanzi Dance
Also called "Xie", it is danced in accompaniment of an ox-horn instrument, and originates from
Batang in Ganzi Prefecture of beautiful scenery and moderate weather. When dancing, the girls wear a long-sleeved silk gown called "Xiazhi" which is pronounced in a partial tone like "Xie". Movements of Xuanzi Dance are gentle and implicit, seemingly expressing a longing for love and Nature. The song is made of 4 sentences each of 6 words, in precise and flowery styles.

Tap Dance
Developed on the basis of Ali Tibetan Dance, it assimilates the British Tap Dance, in an exquisite style. The top dancer can dance with a bowel full of water on her head. People improve this dance and make it natural, poised and overflowed with enthusiasm.

Guozhuang Dance
Originating from the ceremony to celebrate the victorious hunting or crop harvesting, it is an entertainment activity of Tibetan and Qiang nationalities to express gratification of a happy life. It also serves as a God-pleasing or sacrificial activity.
The Guozhuang dance of Huanglong has two kinds: Qiang Guozhuang and Tibetan Guozhaung, both are danced almost in the same way, except the steps. The steps of Qiang Guozhuang are complicated, somewhat similar to disco.

Flowery Lanterns of Hui Nationality
On big occasions, Hui people go on streets with lanterns, flowers, colored ribbons, and they dance lively with these objects, attracting many spectators.Tibetan Culture and Entertainment