Foreigners Celebrate Tibetan New Year

"This is the first time for me to celebrate Tibetan New Year and I find Tibetans really hospitable here. I bought myself a Tibetan costume, which is fantastic." Gongzi told the reporter excitedly.

Together with other 9 friends, Gongzi, a Japanese student at Tibet University came to their Tibetan teacher’s home for the celebration of Tibetan New Year on Feb.23. They followed the traditional customs of local Tibetans, for example, when entering the house, they splashed barley grain in front of chemar, a two-tier rectangular wooden box containing roasted barley and food prepared with butter.

Then they sat down and ate the "Kaisai", a fried wheat food with air-dried beef and dried fruit, and then toasted to the host.

Grey Gori from America wears a Tibetan sheepskin jacket, enjoying himself with playing the game "Gesture Riddle".

He said, "It is thrilling to spend the Tibetan New Year here. I used to work in Nepal, whose culture shares lot similarities with Tibet. I feel especially honored to come to the Tibetan families for celebration and enjoy the traditional flavors."Gori said happily.

Like many foreign tourists who feel indulged in the beauty of Tibet, Gongzi did not leave for the winter holiday, "It is hard to say goodbye to Tibet, and I look forward to being here for Losar". Gongzi decided to stay in Tibet University to learn the Tibetan language after a short trip when she was attracted by Tibet’s glamour.

Ike from Austria has just arrived in Lhasa a week ago after experiencing the lunar Chinese New Year at the end of January, "The two New Years bear lot resemblance, such as family gathering, wishing good luck for the next year, setting firecrackers, and etc. Apart from all these, Tibet New Year has some unique customs, for example, the horse racing tomorrow. I will see the horse racing with my friends tomorrow, which must be different from that in Europe."