The
most colorful and electrifying things in Tibet are its many
traditional and exotic festivals which spread throughout
the year with one or two of some kind for each month. These
festive dates have their origins rooted in folk traditions,
religious celebration or traditional activities. The festivals
are often rituals, farming events, commemorations, celebrations,
social gatherings or simple amusement, which reflect the
historical roots of the Tibetan ethnic people, their religious
belief and closeness to nature.
The
Festival of Banishing Evils falls on December 29 on
the Tibetan calendar. Similar expressions are found in ethnic
celebrations around the world with a theme of driving away
evil spirits. On that day, a sorcerer's dance is performed
in monasteries and a general cleaning is done in every household
to get rid of misfortune and pray for godly blessings. Every
family will have a traditional New Year's Eve dinner of
Guthuk and torches are lit and howling are heard everywhere
in a collective prayer for a new
year free from misfortunes.
On
the Tibetan New Year's Day, each home will open its door
with prayers and fetch the first bucket of water of the
year. People will greet each other with well-meaning wishes.
This is the most important festival for the Tibetans, during
which they entertain themselves with various folk activities
such as wrestling, weight throwing, tug-of-war and
horse-racing.
The
Great Prayer Festival, from January 8 through 14 on
the Tibetan calendar, is the grandest religious festival
in Tibet. It has its origin in a prayer meeting organized
at Jokhang Temple by Tsong Khapa, founder of the Gelukpa
Sect, in 1409. Thousands of monks from far and near will
gather for prayers, theological debates and examination
for Geshe, a doctoral degree in Buddhist theology, at the
temple. Pilgrims will come from everywhere to listen to
sermons.
The
Butter Lamp Festival falls on January 15 of the Tibetan
calendar, which has its origin in a celebration with many
butter lamps to honor the victory of Sakyamuni in a debate
against Heretics. During the festive celebration, Barkhor
Street in Lhasa is crowded with people and by nightfall
is brightly lit with thousands of lamps made of butter in
an intriguing assortment of designs. The festive mood lasts
throughout the
night.
Saga
Dawa Festival on April 15 marks the birth, transcendence
and death of Sakyamuni. Pilgrims and secular folks will
visit Lhasa and the festival is observed by turning prayer
wheels, having vegetarian lunch and a picnic by the Dragon
King Pond. Folk entertainers will perform Tibetan tradition;
they will pay their homage to Buddha, observe a vegetarian
rule, refrain from killing domestic animals and give out
alms during the month.
The
Gyangtse Horse-race Festival, Archery contests on horseback
are popular throughout the Tibetan region. The Gyangtse
Horse-race Festival became events on fixed dates in 1408
when the king of Gyangtse gave a decree marking the period
from April 10 through 27 of every year for prayers and sacrificial
ceremony for his grandfather with entertainment offered
on the 28th. By the mid-17th century, original ritual ceremonies
became symbolic and contests of archery on horseback grew
to be the most important events for the festival. Nowadays,
with all kinds of entertainment and fairs organized it has
become one of the most important festivals in Tibet.
The
Shoton (or Xuedun) Festival is one of the grandest
festivals in Tibet. Prior to the 17th century, Shoton had
been an exclusively religious observance. The month of June
on the Tibetan calendar was reserved for self-cultivation
and meditation for all the monks who were not allowed to
go out of monasteries until July 1, when local residents
would offer alms of yogurt (Sho, in Tibetan). From around
the mid-17th century, Tibetan local operas were added to
festival celebrations which were held around monasteries
and in Lhasa the Drepung Monastery. From the beginning of
the 18th century, the main site of the festival was moved
to Norbu Lingka and celebrations became formalized which
include shining of the Buddha's portrait, folk amusement
at the local park and performances of Tibetan operas. Popular
fairs are also organized during the festival.
For
a whole week in early July when Venus appears in the sky
every year, Tibetans will bathe themselves all day long
in rivers across the region, believing that bathing may
cure illness and get rid of misfortune at a time when water
is purest and mildest.
According
to a Tibetan myth, the gods will descend from the heaven
on the 22nd of the ninth month of the Tibetan calendar every
year. All monasteries will be open on this day to the needy
and prayers and sutra chants will be given.
Tsong
Khapa's Festival, falling on the 15th of the tenth month
of the Tibetan calendar, marks the anniversary of the passing
away of Tsong Khapa, the founder of Gelukpa Sect, and is
called Ganden Angchuin in Tibetan. On this day, butter lamps
are placed on the roofs of monasteries and secular homes
and sutras are chanted in praise of Tsong Khapa. |
