The common expectation of a better life keeps us connected
No matter what holiday it is, children seem to be happiest.
During the Chinese Lunar New Year, setting off fireworks and firecrackers, which carries the “mission” of expelling the evil in folk customs, is one of the most anticipated parts for children. When we came to Lin’e Village, Pangdui Township, Lhasa City, Tibet Autonomous Region just before the Tibetan New Year (also known as Losar), we found that the children in the village were also gathering in twos and threes to squibbing firecrackers, which are the same as what we did when we were kids, and naughty kids sometimes threw the firecracker beside us, trying to scare us.
In the Tibetan New Year Eve (also known as “Gutu” Night), households in the village also lit firecrackers after the ghost exorcising ceremony. At the same time, the family members and neighbors bless each other with highland barley wine or butter tea. The joy and laughter of family reunion on the occasion of saying goodbye to the old and welcoming the new is very moving.
The picture shows a family drinking highland barley wine together on the morning of the first day of the New Year.
Although the customs of the New Year are somewhat different, in the joy of family reunion and their good wishes for New Year, we also feel a strong taste and joy. The people’s yearning for a better life is condensed in the mutual blessings of “Losar Tashi Delek”, which also makes us more connected within.