Gongbu New Year, recently listed as one of the first batches of intangible cultural heritages at the regional level in Tibet, brings forth the vibrant essence of the forested areas. Unlike the traditional Tibetan New Year, Gongbu New Year stands out with its distinctive characteristics, celebrated with fervor and joy in the Gongbu region, encompassing present-day Linzhi, Bayi District, Milin County, and Gongbu Jiangda County.
Origins and Legends
Legend has it that many ages ago, the Gongbu region faced invasions from external forces. In a bid to encourage bravery among soldiers, the local leader Ajie Jibu declared the New Year to be celebrated on the first day of the Tibetan lunar calendar, known as “Gongbu Losar” (rkong-po-lo-gsar), which continues to be observed to this day. Numerous customs reflect the rich heritage of the Gongbu area and its forested landscape.
Ghost Expulsion Ritual
One of the intriguing customs is the “Ghost Expulsion Ritual,” observed on the eve of the ninth lunar month. Each household engages in this ritual to ward off disturbances by spirits during the New Year festivities. As dusk descends, people armed with torches made of pine branches rush into every room, hurling stones into the corners while chanting, “Zhe, Gu Wa! Zhe, Gu Wa!” (meaning “Ghosts, just you wait!”). Some even sprinkle alcohol on the torches, creating a sizzling sound, adding to the dramatic atmosphere. Once they believe the spirits have been driven away, they seal the doors with smoke from pine and cypress trees, ensuring a joyful and undisturbed celebration of the New Year.
Gongbu New Year Traditions: From Feasting Dogs to Festive Celebrations
In Gongbu tradition, the celebration of the New Year isn’t just about human festivities—it involves unique rituals that involve even our four-legged friends.
Feasting the Dogs
After the Ghost Expulsion ritual, it’s time to invite the dogs to feast on the New Year’s meal. The host lays out a spread of traditional New Year foods on a wooden platter or board, including tsampa, meat from cattle, sheep, and pigs, walnuts, butter, buttermilk, barley wine, and ginseng fruit. Then, the dogs are called over with a cheerful invitation: “Comfortable dog, happy dog, please come and dine!” The invitation is repeated three times before the dogs start eating. It’s believed that experienced dogs will sniff around before deciding what to eat, while some might bark wildly or overturn the platter, which is considered ominous, prompting the owner to drive them away immediately.
The Significance of Dog’s Choice
Gongbu people believe that whatever the dog chooses to eat or avoid is a sign from the gods. Therefore, everyone in the family observes the dog’s every move attentively. If the dog eats tsampa, it signifies a bountiful harvest in the coming year; if it consumes buttermilk, it suggests agricultural prosperity. However, it’s strictly forbidden for the dog to eat meat—if it does, it’s believed to bring about disease and misfortune.
Enjoying “Skyes-Rtags” and a Hearty Feast
After the dogs have dined, the family gathers to enjoy the New Year’s Eve dinner. A special dish called “Skyes-Rtags” is served, made from butter, milk, and flour, formed into dumplings and roasted over a fire on pointed wooden sticks. This hearty meal is crucial as it’s believed that if one doesn’t eat enough, ghosts might come to carry them away during the night. So, being full is essential for survival!
Other New Year Customs
On the first day of the New Year, it’s customary to set off fireworks to welcome the arrival of the new year. Additionally, women rush to fetch water from the source, ensuring not to look back or speak to anyone on the way back to avoid losing the water’s purity. The first bucket of water is used for offerings to the gods, mixing barley wine, and preparing tsampa.
Honoring the Harvest Goddess and Festivities
Early on the first day of the New Year, people bring offerings and barley wine to the fields to worship the Harvest Goddess, chanting, “Lo Ya Ma, please partake of our feast!” Then, they engage in lively dances and songs, praying for a prosperous harvest in the upcoming year.
Moreover, various sporting events like archery, wrestling, tree felling, and stone lifting are organized during the New Year period. In recent years, Linzhi region has also started hosting trade fairs where a wide array of goods, local products, and handicrafts are showcased, providing something for everyone during this festive season.
Conclusion
Gongbu New Year embodies a rich tapestry of tradition and folklore, rooted in the unique landscape of the Gongbu region. From its origins steeped in legend to the vibrant customs observed, it stands as a testament to the cultural heritage of Tibet, inviting all to partake in its joyful celebrations and age-old rituals.
Exciting Highlights of Gongbu New Year
1. Shooting Whistling Arrows: “Vbri-hsiu” Competition
Known as “Vbri-hsiu” in Tibetan, shooting whistling arrows is one of the most distinctive and exciting activities during the Gongbu New Year celebrations. This competition has been recognized as part of the second batch of intangible cultural heritages at the autonomous regional level in Tibet. Whistling arrows resemble regular arrows but are crafted with bamboo shafts measuring around 80 centimeters long. Featuring feathers at the tail end and wooden tips with small holes drilled on them (usually four holes), these arrows produce a sharp whistling sound “Zhi-Zhi” upon release, hence the name “whistling arrows.” During the archery contest, villagers perform a special arrow dance nearby, adding to the festive spirit.
2. Gongbu Arrow Dance: A Cultural Heritage Tradition
Included in the third batch of intangible cultural heritages at the autonomous regional level in Tibet, the Gongbu arrow dance is a spectacular performance held during major festivals and joyous occasions. Originating from the era of King Ajie Jibu in Gongbu, this tradition has a history of over 1300 years. The dance and songs were originally developed to cheer and support archers competing in whistling arrow contests, enhancing the atmosphere of the event. During the dance, men stand on the right side while women on the left, lining up on both sides of the archery field. When it’s their village archer’s turn to compete, they sing the arrow song together, accompanied by vigorous Gongbu dance moves, boosting morale and intensifying the festive and competitive spirit of the occasion.
“Nyung Bala Su” or “Myang-po-lha-sum” in Tibetan translates to “Treasure Seekers of Nyung.” It is a traditional festival of Bon religion in Tibet, observed on the tenth day of the eighth month of the Tibetan lunar calendar, which coincides with the Year of the Horse. The festival encompasses various activities including deity worship, dances, horse racing, and yak racing, symbolizing the subjugation of demons, celebrating harvests, and praying for favorable weather conditions. This festival was banned after 1954 but was reinstated in 1990.
“Mi-Na Qangm”: The Unique Folk Dance
During the festival, a highlight is the “Mi-Na Qangm” or “Mi-Rna-Vchams,” which is the most distinctive form of entertainment. “Qangm” refers to a religious dance in Tibet, also known as “Cham” or “Dance of the Gods.” However, in Linzhi, “Mi-Na Qangm” has no association with temple dances; rather, it is a folk ritual dance performed to dispel evil and invite blessings back to the village.
“Mi-Na Qangm” translates to “folk dancing for gods,” differentiating it from dances performed by monks or shamans. It’s a rare and unique folk dance in Tibet with a history of over 600 years. To ward off evil and invite blessings, it is performed every 12th year in the eighth month from the ninth to the twelfth day, with a grand performance in Linzhi. Smaller performances occur every six years, creating a vibrant and festive atmosphere.
The dance features male performers wearing masks, holding drums in their left hand and drumsticks in their right hand. They dance in circles or cross formations, with robust and simple movements, exuding a solemn and powerful demeanor. The dance steps are vigorous and bold, showcasing strength and vitality. “Mi-Na Qangm” has been recognized as an intangible cultural heritage in the Tibet Autonomous Region.
Highlight Insights
Legend of “Nyung Bala Su”:
According to legend, ages ago, there was a precious gem named “Xieguo Zunmei” in the Gongbu region, capable of dispelling evil spirits. However, it was stolen by people from Kamba and fled to Qiongbo Dingqing. As a consequence, the climate in Gongbu drastically changed, leading to droughts and diseases. Subsequently, the people of Gongbu initiated a ritual on the tenth day of the eighth month of the Year of the Horse, gradually evolving into the current “Nyung Bala Su.” It is believed that during the festival, the gem returns from Dingqing to bless the Gongbu region with peace and prosperity.
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