Traditional Tibetan New Year DancersTibetan New Year is also known as Losar. The date coincides with Chinese New Year but the traditions are quite different. While Tibetan specific celebrations are often restricted across Tibet, in Nepal they continue on every year in full costume. Facts about Tibetan New Year:
The story behind this photographTaken in 2008 during Tibetan New Year in Nepal. I was invited to attend a new year ceremony at a Tibetan Monastery outside of Kathmandu. I returned recently for Losar however there was no ceremony. It would seem I’d had my chance and it wasn’t to be repeated. Many Tibetan monks now live in Nepal after fleeing their homeland of Tibet due to Chinese occupation. These Tibetan monks still carry out their traditional ways of life, including celebrations throughout the year. Finding such ceremonies in Nepal is no easy task. Sometimes they happen, other times they do not. And usually they are announced only days beforehand to a select few people. This year was no exception with no real public announcement of when or where a celebration was to occur. At least, a colorful festive celebration. All that is publicly announced is that it’s a government holiday. In hindsight I wasn’t expecting the celebration to be quite as elaborate as it was. I now know my fortune in seeing such a rare performance up close and personal. If you are interested, here’s a short video of this traditional Tibetan dance (scroll to bottom of the page). Discover more great travel photographs This is an additional photograph feature from my world travel photography gallery, documenting the story behind the picture Please take a moment to leave a comment and share this photograph using your favorite social network |
Wow. So colorful and mysterious. Must have been an interesting experience.
The music was really interesting. Old horn pipes etc
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Nice shot. I was wondering if Chinese New Year was the same with all the differences the two places have.
Thanks. It’s at about the same time of year. But the Tibetan’s just put on a different ceremony more to do with their own culture rather than a broader Chinese one.
I’ve never seen something like this. Usually it’s all big dragons and fireworks. Thanks for sharing.
I think the Dragons are more Chinese than Tibetan. I could be wrong. But I certainly didn’t see any dragons in the Tibetan celebrations.
Love this shot. Reminds me of something out of a movie. Those costumes look really expensive too!
Thank you. I think they must be pretty expensive. They are really detailed and hand crafted.