| Tibet has long been held as one of the religious | | | | goodwill, auspiciousness and compassion. It is usually |
| sanctuaries of the world. It is the home of the | | | | given at weddings, funerals, births, graduations, or to |
| Tibetan Monk, meditation, spiritual wholeness and | | | | a host at the arrival or departure of guests. When it |
| inner peace so strong that it disregards the need for | | | | is presented it is accompanied by an |
| all material possessions. We admire Tibet, we crave | | | | acknowledgement of "Tashi Delek", meaning "good |
| what it represents and we're a little afraid of it. Many | | | | luck". |
| of us forget that Tibet is a country that has the | | | | Tibet music is religious music before it is anything |
| faced the loss of its culture many times over. They | | | | else, and reflects the influence of Tibetan Buddhism |
| had to repel several attempts by the Mongols to | | | | on the culture. The music also reflects the heritage of |
| invade and were successful through careful debate | | | | the trans-Himalayan region and all ethnic Tibetan |
| and compromise. The British, however, were not so | | | | groups that are found in India, Bhutan and Nepal. |
| easily swayed, especially as they brought the word | | | | Chanting is an integral part of Tibetan music and is |
| of Christ with them and were determined to spread | | | | often accompanied by drums. |
| it. After them China sought to rule Tibet, which it has | | | | The Tibetan calendar is a lunisolar calendar, which |
| done on and off since 1912. | | | | means that a Tibetan year has either 12 or 13 lunar |
| Through it all Tibet has maintained its own way of | | | | months in it. Each month begins and ends with a new |
| life. It has held onto the traditions that have defined | | | | moon. The 13th month is only added every three |
| it as one of the most rural and peaceful counties in | | | | years, which makes an average Tibetan year equal |
| the world. | | | | to a solar year. Months are referred to by numbers |
| Some areas of Tibet are over 3000 metres above | | | | and are not nominal. They associate each year with |
| sea level. It is very difficult to grow crops at this | | | | an animal and an element. The animals alternate in the |
| height. The most important Tibetan crop is barley. | | | | following order: Hare, Dragon, Horse, Sheep, Ape, |
| Barley flour is used to make a dough called tsampa, | | | | Bird, Dog, Pig, Mouse, Bull, and Tiger. The elements |
| which is their staple food. Tsampa can be rolled into | | | | also alternate: Fire, Earth, Iron, Water, and Wood. |
| noodles or made into dumplings that are steamed | | | | The Tibetans have a relatively complex system for |
| and called momos. Tibetan meat dishes consist of | | | | numbering their years. Each element has 2 |
| yak, goat and mutton and can be dried or cooked as | | | | consecutive years. It has a male aspect followed by |
| a spicy stew. Mustard seeds feature a lot in Tibetan | | | | a female aspect: for example a male Earth-Dragon |
| cuisine because it is one of the few spices to be | | | | year would be followed by a female Earth-Snake |
| cultivated there on a large scale. Yak milk is a | | | | year, which would be followed by a male Iron-Horse |
| versatile commodity featuring in yoghurt, butter and | | | | year. Tibetans often leave the sex out as the year |
| cheese. Well prepared yak yoghurt can be considered | | | | can be inferred from the animal. |
| an item of prestige and luxury in Tibetan society. | | | | Tibetan festivals are also deeply rooted in religion. |
| Tibetan dress is still very conservative with most of | | | | Some of the most important festivals are the Losar, |
| the population choosing to wear traditional styles | | | | Shoton and the Bathing Festival. The Bathing Festival |
| rather than western clothes. Women wear dark wrap | | | | requires that each person take part in it three times |
| dresses over a blouse. If a woman is married she will | | | | in the course of their lifetime: at birth, marriage and |
| also wear a colourfully striped, woven wool apron. | | | | death. In Tibetan culture it is believed that bathing is |
| Long sleeves are worn throughout the year by both | | | | not a casual endeavour, but should rather be saved |
| sexes regardless of the blazing summer months. | | | | for the most important occasions only. Festivals are |
| A khata is a traditional ceremonious scarf that serves | | | | high points in the social calendar and feature many |
| as a versatile gift given on festive occasions. It is | | | | entertaining activities such as yak racing, which |
| made of white silk, which symbolises the pure heat | | | | suggests that perhaps the bathing should be saved |
| of the giver. The symbolism behind the gift promotes | | | | for the conclusion of the festivities. |