Tibetan New Year, also known as Losar, is the most important festival in Tibet and is celebrated for 15 days, typically falling in February or March. The celebrations include a range of customs and traditions that reflect the unique culture and identity of the Tibetan people.
Before the arrival of the New Year, Tibetans engage in thorough cleaning of their homes and surroundings. They also make offerings to the gods and ancestors to seek blessings for the upcoming year. Decorating homes and public places is a common custom during Losar. In addition, people also decorate their clothes with patterns, and their hair is styled in fashion.
Traditional dishes such as momos, a type of steamed dumpling filled with meat or vegetables, and Tibetan butter tea, made from yak butter and tea leaves, are served. Sweet treats like Tibetan butter cookies and dried fruit are also enjoyed.
Tibetan people offer prayers and make offerings to the gods and deities during Losar. The offerings typically include food, incense and flowers.
Music and dance are part of the Losar celebrations. Villagers gather in public spaces and dance around bonfires, singing and playing traditional instruments.
People gather in public spaces and light incense and candles while offering food, drinks and other items to the gods. This is followed by the ceremony of throwing Tsampa, a roasted barley flour, into the air as a symbol of letting go of the past year and embracing new beginnings.
The customs of Tibetan New Year are deeply rooted in the culture and traditions of the Tibetan people.
A. In 2023, Tibetan New Year fell on Feb 21.
B. Using them, people show gratitude to the elderly people.
C. In the festival, people hold various events to celebrate it.
D. These offerings are believed to bring good luck to people.
E. This practice is to get rid of bad luck in the previous year.
F. The Losar celebrations come to an end with a grand ceremony.
G. During the New Year, Tibetans enjoy feasts with their family and friends.
