Tibetans celebrate New Year

The country's Tibetan populated regions are in a party mood as the Tibetan New Year, or Losar in Tibetan, striking a stark contrast with the call by the 'Tibetan government in exile' to cancel celebrations.

Decorations decked Lhasa's main streets and local people were busy with the last minute preparations for their most important festival of the year.

Yonten, the head of publicity and education with Drepung Monastery on teh ourskirts of Lhasa, told the Global Times that families have cleaned up the buildings, prepared heaps of food and purchased new Tibetan garments as the Tibetan Year of the Water Dragon drew near.

'Markets in the city were crowded Tuesday with shoppers snapping up fruits, beverages and other goods for the holiday. We will get up before sunrise dressing brand new clothes', Yonten said.

The festival, which falls on the 29th day of the last Tibetan month of the year, features family reunions and torch and firework displays.

The square in front of the Potala Palace at the heart of Lhasa has been spruced up with an ornamental garden, red lanterns and a huge chema, a box containg five kinds of cereals- including roasted highland barley flour mixed with butter, fried barley and dromar refreshments-adorned with a butter sculpture in the shape of a sheeps's head.

The chiema is prepared in every Tibetan home and is servied to every guests. Yonten said he will bring some good barley wine as gifts for his neighbors and share a feast of beef, mutton and wine with them.

'Later at night, bonfire parties will be held with Tibetans' sings and dancing. Nothing will stand in the way of celebration', he added.

From Tibetnews