Overview of the Dadha Equestrian Festival
Dadha, a village located on the eastern bank of the Quchin Zangbo upstream of the Parlung Zangbo in Bomi County, Nyingchi, hosts an equestrian festival with a long history and unique form. In Tibetan, “Dadha” means “Arrow Horse,” indicating the festival’s focus on archery and horse racing. This celebration takes place annually on the 25th day of the twelfth Tibetan month, coinciding with the beginning of the Bomi Gongbu New Year, also known as the “small year.”
Festival Preparations and Customs
Each household in Dadha Village participates with a horse and a rider. For months leading up to the festival, the horses are fed premium fodder and groomed meticulously a day or two before the event, with their manes and tails combed and decorated with colorful ribbons to make them shine.
On the morning of the festival, riders dress in traditional attire, including red tasseled hats, leopard or otter skin-trimmed clothes, and colorful boots characteristic of Bomi. They adorn their arms with silk ribbons, shoulders with decorative flowers and ribbons, and waist with leopard or tiger skin quivers and bow bags, carrying a precious knife, protective amulets, and a Tibetan hunting rifle.
The riders then join their families for incense burning and prayers for divine protection before heading to the village center for religious activities, tea drinking, and socializing. They then proceed to the highest point in the village with offerings and prayer flags to perform rituals and offer prayers.
Celebratory Activities
Following these ceremonies, riders participate in “saying the white,” a traditional form of exaggerated praise singing that lauds the homeland, ancestors, parents, and community heroes while satirizing wrongdoers. This form of storytelling and singing is a unique artistic expression self-composed and performed by the riders.
The Climax: Equestrian Competitions
The afternoon brings the festival to its climax with equestrian competitions. A monk blesses the racetrack before the performances begin. Despite their agrarian backgrounds, riders execute complex maneuvers traditionally performed seven times, showcasing their skills in saluting, “hanging backwards,” “handstanding” on horseback, “fast horse touching the ground,” archery on horseback, and “war god dance,” culminating in an exhilarating display of horsemanship and cultural pride.
Visiting Dadha Equestrian Festival
- Location: Dadha Village is approximately 330 kilometers from Bayi Town in the Linzhi area, home to 35 households and over 230 people. Surrounded by pristine forests, the village enjoys a serene setting with wild ducks frolicking in nearby lakes.
- Festival Popularity: The festival attracts not only local villagers but also people from neighboring villages and beyond, some traveling tens of kilometers to witness the event, making it a lively and cherished local tradition.
The Dadha Equestrian Festival stands as a testament to the rich cultural heritage and communal spirit of Tibet, offering an immersive experience into traditional sports, art, and festivities unique to the region.
Related posts:
The Xiba Bear Fighting Festival: A Unique Tradition in Bomi County, Nyingchi
Paxiong Reba Festival: Celebrating Traditional Tibetan Dance in Bomi County, Nyingchi
Songzong Horse Racing Festival: A Blend of Religious and Cultural Festivities in Bomi County, Nyingchi
Exploring the Hot Springs and Mystical Waters of Bomi County, Nyingchi
Shoton Festival 2023: Tradition and Modernity Combined in a Feast of Art and Culture
Ngari Horse Racing Festival: A Cultural Extravaganza in Western Tibet
Garang Lake: The “Heavenly Lake” of Bomi County, Nyingchi
Discovering the Divine Mountains of Bomi County: Sangzom and Armor Mountains
