This article is about the culture of Lhasa, Tibet and I think it can be very helpful if you are planning your Lhasa travel, Tibet travel now.
1. Tibetan Khatag (hada)
Khatag (a must know for your Lhasa travel or Tibet travel) is very important for the Tibetan people. It is a silk product looking like a towel. The Khatag represents honesty ,loyalty and the purity of the heart. The Tibetan people believe that the white color means purity. That is why the Khatag is always white. Presenting Khatags to other people is a common comity in Lhasa, Tibet and it is used in all kinds of critical Tibetan events. (wedding, funeral, Buddhism ritual, etc)
2. Welcome tea and welcome wine in Lhasha, Tibet
The Tibetan people use the Tibetan tea and Tibetan wine to welcome their guests. Usually the wine is called “Qingkejiu”, a special wine made by the Tibetan people. If the Tibetan people present the “Qingkejiu” to you, it means you are a noble guest for them. The tea they use here is called “Suyoucha” and it is given to the guests by the female Tibetan people. You will need to wait for them to present this tea to you. It is not polite to get the tea by yourself in Lhasa, Tibet. (Good to know for your lhasa travel or Tibet travel)
3. How to say hello to the Tibetan people
When you meet the Tibetan people, you can add a “La” to the end of their names. For example, if her name is “Zuoma”, you can call her “Zuomala” and this will show your respect to her.
4. Watching the funeral in Lhasha, Tibet
In Tibet, the sky funeral is very common. But there are many taboos here too. This kind of funeral is forbidden for the strangers to watch. You will need to leave the funeral quietly if you happen to meet one in Lhasa, Tibet.
5. Tibetan new year
The Tibetan people have their own calendar. It is similar with the Chinese traditional calendar and the first day for a year is usualy also the first day in the Chinese calendar.
6. Tibetan Lamp holiday
The 15th day of every year (in the Tibetan calendar) is named the Lamp Day in Lhasa, Tibet. The Tibetan people make lots of Suyou lamps in this day for the Buddhism rituals. The Suyou lamps look like human, birds or animals.(Useful info for lhasa travel or tibet travel)
7. Shower week
The Tibetan people have a holiday named shower week. In this week, they will do the shower near the river. This weak is also called “Muyu” holiday in Lhasa, Tibet.
8. Xue Dun holiday
“Xue” means Yoguat in Tibetan. It is a special homemade Yoguat of Tibet. “Dun” means dinner. Now this Xue Dun holiday is becoming a holiday for the Tibetan opera shows and that is why Xue Dun holiday is also called the Tibetan Opera Day. Usually it is from the end of June to the beginning of July.
9. Horse racing holiday
Horse racing and archery are very popular in Lhasa, Tibet. This horse racing holiday is from July to August in the Tibetan calendar. The Tibetan people also do some barter during this holiday. (Good info for your tibet travel and lhasa travel)
10. Wangguo holiday
This holiday is for the Tibetan people to celebrate the harvests. There are also horse racing, archery racing, Tibetan opera shows during this holiday.
11. Shagedawa day
It is the 04-15 in the Tibetan calendar. Some believe it is the day of Wencheng princess’ wedding in Tibet. The people in Lhasa, Tibet celebrate this holiday every year.
12. Yak day
The Yak day is a traditional holiday for the Tibetan people. In this day, the Tibetan people will decorate their yaks with fresh flowers and this is to show their good wishes for the future. (A good choice for your lhasa travel or tibet travel)