China News Service, Xining, February 14th: Tibetan people in Qinghai celebrate the New Year in diverse ways to pray for a new life
China News Service reporter Li Jiangning
On the fifth day of the Tibetan New Year, Daiqing Yongcuo from Yushu Prefecture, Qinghai Province, was packing and mailing local agricultural products such as Tibetan snacks, yak milk, dried meat, fern and sesame to customers in his store.
This year the Tibetan New Year falls on the same day as the Lunar New Year. "During the Tibetan New Year in the past two years, my parents went to Lhasa to pray for Buddha. This year our whole family reunited to celebrate the New Year." Dai Qingyongcuo told reporters that according to local traditional customs in Yushu, every household would use it in the early morning of New Year's Eve and leave it out overnight. Add milk to clean water and wash your face. This clear water is called "Kache" (morning star water) in Tibetan. Legend has it that it can wash away the sorrow and troubles in the world and bring light and happiness.
In Yushu, various ethnic groups have frequent exchanges, forming a tradition of mutual respect, appreciation and learning. "Now we also post Spring Festival couplets and eat dumplings when celebrating the Tibetan New Year." Dai Qingyongcuo said with a smile.
February 9, New Year’s Eve dinner at Dai Qing Yongcuo’s home. Photo provided by interviewee
Dai Qing Yongcuo’s shop will not be closed during the New Year. "From the year before to now, there have been constant orders for various agricultural products. After I reunited with my family to celebrate the New Year, I immediately resumed business as usual." Daiqing Yongcuo, 26, took over the breeding business run by his father after graduating from university. The professional planting cooperative opened a branch in Xining, the provincial capital, last year, and its business is getting better and better.
"From January to now, the net profit is about more than 60,000 yuan (RMB)." Dai Qingyongcuo couldn't restrain his joy, "Now, not only Tibetan friends, but also many Han friends buy my products. This year my My wish is to let more people know about our Yushu specialties, and also know about me, a Yushu girl who is committed to promoting good things from her hometown."
In Wendu Tibetan Township, Xunhua Salar Autonomous County, Haidong City, Qinghai Province, many Tibetan people celebrated the Tibetan New Year. Unlike Yushu, Qinghai, the Tibetan people here follow unique New Year customs.
On February 9, villagers in Xiangyu Village, Wendu Tibetan Township, placed ice cubes on their roofs in accordance with traditional customs to pray for a safe and smooth new year. Photo provided by interviewee
“On the 29th day of the twelfth lunar month in the Tibetan calendar, villagers will go to Wendu Monastery to pray for blessings. On New Year’s Eve, every household will go to the river near the village to get ice cubes and place them on the roof to bless the family with peace and good weather in the new year.” Zhou Jiacairang, who lives in Xiangyu Village, Wendu Tibetan Township, said that every household would also place a small tree filled with fruits, candies and coins to decorate the house.
After the New Year's Eve dinner, at 12 o'clock on New Year's Eve, the villagers began to burn mulberry and pray for blessings. Afterwards, children under the age of 15 went to every household in the village to pay New Year greetings, send blessings to the villagers in the same village, dance and sing, and the excitement continued until early the next morning.
"Here in my hometown, people still follow traditional customs in celebrating the Tibetan New Year, and they also retain a lot of traditional culture." Zhou Jiacairang said.
On February 9, villagers of Xiangyu Village in Wendu Tibetan Township celebrated the Tibetan New Year at home. Photo provided by interviewee
With the improvement of living standards, Tibetan people celebrate the Tibetan New Year in more and more diverse ways. Many Tibetan young people choose to "travel for the New Year" with their families.
Caiwen Qiuzhuo, 29, lives in Goluo Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province. On New Year's Eve, Caiwen Qiuzhuo and his brother drove to Chengdu, Sichuan with their parents to celebrate the New Year. "I used to celebrate the New Year at home. My parents just retired last year, so we plan to celebrate the New Year by traveling by car." Caiwen Qiuzhuo, who majored in tourism management, plans to use his professional expertise to serve as a tour guide for his parents. Starting from Goluo, he will experience A different kind of scenery. (over)