 Sakaluka,
falling in the first month of the Tibetan
year (late February), is a time of preparation
for the upcoming agricultural season.
Astrological calculations are performed
to determine when planting should occur.
A young man and woman dressed in ritual
finery enact the planting of fields
and are blessed by the villagers.
Tempa
Chirim, or "Tiji", as this festival
is commonly called, falls at the end of
the third Tibetan month (late may).This
is one of the most important events in Mustang's
ritual calendar, as it involves the reenactment
of one of the primary myths of Lo. Through
a series of three-day long cham (religious
dances) , the deity Dorje Shanun, conquers
a demon who has wreaked havoc on Lo. The
ritual, which also honors Guru Rimpoche,
concludes in an explosion of musket fire
and the expulsion of an effigy representing
the malevolent spirit from outside the gates
of Monthang.
Saka Dawa, or the fourth
Tibetan month (mid May through mid June)
is renown by Tibetan Buddhists as the holiest
of times during the calendar year. It is
during this season that the historical Buddha
was thought to have conducted a large amount
of teachings and, therefore, this month
is thought to be the most propitious for
merit making. Gompas are painted with red
earth; homes are whitewashed; and village
fasting retreats (nyung-ne) take
place through out Mustang. |
Yartung
is a mid summer harvest festival
celebrated both in The Muktinath
Valley (southeast of Lo) and in
Lo Monthang. Falling in seventh
Tibetan month (late August), this
festival is conducted just before
the harvesting of upper Mustang's
barley crop, the primary annual
yield. In addition to a parade of
local lamas (priests) and the recitation
of prayers, Yartung traditionally
includes horse races, as well as
song, dance, and merrymaking.
|
|
|
|
