The Complete Guide to Travel in Tibet

Author: Yang Huilin Compiler/Nationality:
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2003-03-01
Features: 【Marriage】Monogamy is the main family form in Tibetan society. Before the democratic reform, Tibet had phenomena such as polyandry (one husband, multiple wives), fraternal polyandry (brothers sharing a wife), and sororal polyandry (sisters sharing a husband). Polygamy often occurred in upper-class families, where lords and tusi (local chieftains) expanded their influence through marriage. In Tibetan Buddhism, the Gelugpa sect strictly prohibits monks from marrying, while monks in other sects are allowed to marry. Tibetan wedding ceremonies are unique. On the wedding day, early in the morning, the (maternal uncle) and relatives of the groom go to the bride's house to fetch the bride, who is accompanied by female relatives. Each household in the groom's village presents a bucket of clear water, arranged in a long line in front of their doors. The groom places several tea bags beside the last bucket, for the bride to step on as a blessing for a prosperous life. After the bride dismounts, the attendants place a hada (a ceremonial scarf) on each bucket as a token of gratitude to the villagers. Before the bride enters the house, relatives of the groom sprinkle water mixed with juniper branches, sometimes also scattering wheat, believed to ward off evil spirits. Upon entering, the groom's family presents the bride with a bowl of milk, wishing them a sincere and pure love. The officiant throws a hada around the central pillar, praying for auspiciousness. Then, the officiant recites blessings for the newlyweds, followed by celebrations, songs, and dances. A clean white carpet is laid on the bed, decorated with auspicious patterns of barley and wheat. The bride stays with the groom for one or three days before returning. In some places, the bride does not return for months and begins married life afterward. 【Childbirth】Three days after a Tibetan child is born (four days for girls), relatives and friends bring barley wine, butter tea, and baby clothes to celebrate and perform the (blessing to remove bad luck) ritual, a tradition dating back to the Tubo period. In the morning, people place a pile of small stones at the doorstep of the family that has given birth. White chalk is added if it's a boy; any type of stone is used for a girl, and juniper branches are lit beside the pile. The guests first scatter barley flour on the stone and incense pile before entering the main house. After the child is one month old, a (outing) ceremony is held on a lucky day. On this day, the mother and child dress in new clothes and are accompanied by relatives to visit temples (Lhasa people go to Jokhang Temple) to pray for the newborn's longevity and protection from suffering. They then visit relatives and friends, preferring those considered auspicious to symbolize the child's future happiness. When a child goes out for the first time, people often rub a bit of ash on their nose, believed to prevent demons from noticing them. 【Coming-of-Age Ceremony】Tibetan girls at the age of 16 or 17 undergo a coming-of-age ceremony on a lucky day. The parents invite a woman of the same age who is auspicious (born in a good zodiac year, with both parents alive, and blessed). She combs the girl's hair into two braids (young girls in Weizang region used to have one braid, changing to two for adulthood, symbolizing eligibility for marriage, adorned with ""), puts on a "" headpiece, and wears a colorful "" skirt. Then, parents, relatives, and guests offer hadas to congratulate the girl. After the ceremony, the girl, accompanied by three or four relatives, visits temples and returns to host a banquet for guests. After the coming-of-age ceremony, the girl can participate in social activities between men and women and engage in marriage matters. 【Sky Burial】The main funeral ritual in Tibetan culture. Sky burial involves feeding the deceased's body to vultures, which then soar into the sky. Tibetans believe this signifies a smooth transition to heaven. Sky burials take place at designated sites, often near large monasteries. After death, the body is kept for several days while lamas chant prayers to select a burial day. The funeral procession usually starts very early, with a designated person carrying the body to the sky burial site. The sky burial master first burns incense to appease the gods, attracting vultures. Then, they remove the clothes, dismember the body according to a specific procedure, separating flesh from bone. The bones are crushed with stones and mixed with barley, while the meat is cut into small pieces and set aside. Finally, they blow a whistle to summon the vultures, feeding them bones and meat in sequence until they are consumed. 【Sky Burial Platform】The place where Tibetans conduct sky burials, also known as a "sky burial site." These are usually fixed locations near large monasteries, marked with distinctive signs. Some are built on special large stones with flat, polished tops and several holes for crushing bones. Below the stones, fragments of cloth and small bones are scattered. Others are artificially constructed, featuring a large flat stone in the center, surrounded by small stones and wooden posts for tying the head and limbs of the deceased. Sky burials are performed at dawn, and outsiders are generally not allowed to watch. 【Zigong Sky Burial Platform】Located west of the Zigong Tie Monastery in Nyingchi County. In Tibetan, it is called "Zigong Tie Dan Jia," meaning "Zigong's Sacred Mandala." It was established by the great master Kebai Jidengangbu of the Kargyu sect. Known as "Zigong Cuojia," it symbolizes eternal life. The platform features a black granite circular stage with a diameter of about 1-2 meters, used by the sky burial master as a platform. Surrounding the platform are four small stones said to have flown from India as divine vultures. Nearby are six stupas of the Zigong Karmapa and numerous mani stones. 【Tibetan New Year】A traditional Tibetan festival. Before the New Year, homes are whitewashed, shrines and utensils cleaned. White dots or auspicious patterns are drawn on beams and doors, symbolizing longevity and abundant crops. A giant scorpion made of barley flour is painted on kitchen walls, believed to be the incarnation of a dragon goddess or stove god, protecting the family. Butter lamps are offered before statues, along with crystal salt, tea, sculpted sheep heads, saffron water, fruits, and pastries. Auspicious patterns of the Eight Auspicious Symbols are drawn at the door. On the evening of the 29th day of the 12th month of the Tibetan calendar, families eat "Gutu" (a porridge made of nine ingredients, with symbolic shapes or dumplings). After eating Gutu, a (ghost-sending ceremony) is held. At dawn on the first day of the New Year, the head of the household fetches "Golden Water" and prepares "Gedan" (hot barley wine with brown sugar, milk curds, and barley). They serve it to family members. After waking up, the family worships deities, exchanges blessings, drinks hot barley wine, and eats wheat porridge and butter-cooked ginseng fruits. Couples carry "Tusucheima" (a tray of food) to wish blessings to each other's homes. From the second day, relatives and friends visit each other for New Year greetings. During the festival, Tibetan opera, Gar (circle dance), and Xianzi dances are performed throughout the day and night in both urban and rural areas. Other folk activities include wrestling, throwing balls, tug-of-war, and horse racing with archery. 【Gongbu New Year】A folk festival in the Gongbu region of Tibet (now Gongdak, Milin, and Nyingchi counties). Celebrated annually on the first day of the 10th month of the Tibetan calendar. To commemorate the brave soldiers who once enlisted for military service, Gongbu people offer sacrifices to honor them. Many customs mark the Gongbu New Year: On the 30th day of the 9th month, families "drive away ghosts," feed dogs, and then have a family reunion dinner. That night, they eat "Jieda" and must eat their fill, or they fear being carried away by ghosts. On the first day of the New Year, they set off firecrackers at the first crow of the dawn to welcome the New Year. Housewives rush to fetch water from the source, returning with offerings and barley wine to worship the goddess of harvest in the fields. Breakfast on the first day consists of wheat porridge, symbolizing remembrance of ancestors. The Gongbu New Year is rich in entertainment: men race horses and shoot arrows, competing in wrestling, stone-holding, and tree-cutting contests; women gather to play various games. In the evening, bonfires are lit, and people drink and dance to the "Bo" (Gongbu dance) all night. 【Jiang Dama Festival】A traditional Tibetan festival in the western part of Tibet, with a history of over 600 years. It originated in the Jiang region during the reign of Rinchen Zangpo as the Jiang Law King (1408). The festival was established to honor his grandfather, with entertainment activities starting from the 28th day. During the reign of Tashi Rinchen Zangpo, archery and horseback riding were added to the entertainment, officially forming the Jiang Dama Festival (Horse Racing and Archery). Initially, the festival was held every year in the 4th month of the Tibetan calendar but later evolved to be held at leisure times after spring plowing. The duration increased to 5-7 days, and the activities became more diverse, including commodity exchanges, agricultural and livestock trade, cultural and recreational events, picnics in gardens, and more. During the festival, Baizhou Monastery also holds religious activities such as displaying Buddha statues and masked dances. 【Wangguo Festival】A Tibetan folk festival marking the anticipation of a bountiful harvest. With a history of over 1,500 years, it lasts 1-3 days and is held on a chosen day before the autumn harvest. "Wangguo" means "circling the fields." Legend has it that during the Tubo period, to ensure a good harvest, farmers consulted the Bon religion leader, who instructed them to circle their fields to pray for favorable weather and abundant crops. In the late 8th century, as the Nyingma sect flourished, the Wangguo ceremony took on Nyingma characteristics, requiring (mantras) for prayers. After the 14th century, when the Gelugpa sect gained dominance, the Wangguo ceremony incorporated Gelugpa elements, with processions carrying Buddha statues and reciting scriptures in front.