Welcome to Losar! Losar
Tibet's major Buddhist festival is Losar, which is the
Buddhist New Year. However, before they can celebrate
the coming of a new year, they must deal with
unfinished business, and any unhappy memories. And
so, on the 29th day of the last month in the old year,
there is a festival called Gutor, in which everyone
whitewashes and cleans their houses. A small amount
of dirt is collected, which will later be thrown onto a
place where spirits are thought to dwell. The last day of
the old year is spent preparing for the New Year. Many
people go to monasteries to make offerings, and to
participate in the many ceremonies that monks conduct
during the day. Many rituals take place that are
designed to chase away any evil spirits. One of these
rituals is a play in which people wear grotesque
masks and robes, dancing through the story of good
versus evil. Homeowners race through their houses
shooting off guns or firecrackers to drive out evil.
The next day, Losar itself begins on the first day of
the New Year, and lasts about 3 days. Everyone gets
up early to wash themselves in the nearest spring. The
first day is celebrated only with family, but the second
and third days can be celebrated with anyone. Many
feasts and dances are held, in which people think of
the year to come.

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