First day celebrations of Losar

And some residents in an area of northwest China's Qinghai Province hit by an earthquake in 2010 greeted the new year in new homes they recently moved into.

 

Phurbu Doje, 70, got up before daybreak on New Year's Day to fetch water from a river near his home in Yushu, a Tibetan county in Qinghai.

 

For generations, Tibetans in Rakshi, a remote town perched 4,200 meters above sea level, have kept the custom of drinking predawn water to see in the new year. "The water will purify our souls and bring good luck throughout the new year," Phurbu Doje said.

 

Celebrations for China's 5 million Tibetans will last until the 15th day of the first Tibetan month. For Phurbu Doje, this year's holiday is particularly special.

 

"Last year, we didn't celebrate at all as we were fighting the biting cold and sorrow in our tents," he said, referring to the devastating quake of 2010 that leveled his house in Gyegu town, along with many other local people's homes.

 

His family of six lived in tents for 18 months, until they moved into a new house built with government subsidies in Rakshi town in October. "I never even dreamed of living in such a nice building," Phurbu Doje said.

 

His new home is a Tibetan-style structure with white outer walls and a courtyard. A Chinese national flag hangs outside one of its windows.

 

"We are expecting crowds of visitors," he said, "mostly friends and relatives who wish to borrow some ideas for their own home rebuilding plans."

 

About 198,000 people in Yushu are still living in prefabricated houses, waiting to move into new homes, according to local government figures last year.

 

In October, the Qinghai provincial government earmarked 160 million yuan (US$25.4 million) in subsidies to keep these people warm.

 

Soinam Lhamze's family of 10 received 8,100 yuan, enough to cover fuel costs as well as pre-holiday shopping for food, prayer flags and clothing.

 

"Next year, we'll celebrate in our new home," she said.

 

Her good wishes were repeated as sutra chanting began before daybreak at Gyegu Monastery.

 

From Tibetnews