Story 1: The Origin of Barley Seeds

A long time ago, people on the Tibetan plateau mainly hunted for a living and did not know how to grow crops. One day, a young man named Achu had a dream in which a fairy told him that there was a place called “Shamba”, where there were grain seeds that people had never seen before. The fairy also told him that if he wanted to get these seeds, he would have to go through a lot of trouble.

When Chor woke up, he decided to go in search of Shamba. He climbed over countless mountains and crossed countless rivers, and finally came to a beautiful place where people grew all kinds of grain and lived in abundance. Achu asked the locals for advice on how to grow grain and was given barley seeds.

On the way back, Ah Chor encountered all kinds of difficulties, including bad weather, ferocious beasts and treacherous terrain. But he didn’t give up and eventually returned home with the barley seeds. Achu distributed the seeds to the townspeople and taught them how to grow barley. From then on, people on the Tibetan plateau began to farm and live happily ever after.

Story 2: The Proposal of the Tibetan King

In the ancient times of Tibet, there was a wise king named Songtsen Gampo. In order to expand his power, he decided to propose marriage to neighboring countries. He proposed to Nepal and Tang Dynasty successively, hoping to strengthen his country through marriage.

Songtsen Gampo sent a messenger to Nepal with precious gifts to propose to the princess of Nepal. Seeing Songtsen Gampo’s sincerity, the king of Nepal married his daughter, Princess Wencheng, to him. Soon after that, Songtsen Gampo sent another messenger to Tang Dynasty to ask for the hand of the Emperor of Tang Dynasty. The Tang emperor was also impressed by Songtsen Gampo’s sincerity and married his daughter, Princess Wencheng (another Princess Wencheng, with the same name as Princess Wencheng of Nepal).

The arrival of the two Princesses Wencheng brought many advanced cultures and technologies to Tibet, promoting its economic and cultural development. Songtsen Gampo, with the help of the two princesses, built a magnificent palace, the famous Potala Palace.

These stories are not only imaginative, but also contain the Tibetan people’s respect for nature, life and wisdom. They have been passed down from generation to generation in Tibetan folklore and have become an important part of Tibetan culture.

Tibetan festival

Tibetan New Year (Losar Festival)
Time: The first day of the first month of the Tibetan calendar (usually around the Lunar New Year)
Description: This is one of the most important festivals for the Tibetan people, with celebrations including family gatherings, song and dance performances, horse races and archery.
Ghee Lantern Festival
Time: 15th day of the first month of the Tibetan calendar
Description: This festival honors the Buddhist master Tsongkhapa. People will make exquisite ghee flowers and light up the lanterns at night for a parade.
Saga Dawa Festival
Time: 15th day of the 4th month of the Tibetan calendar
Description: This is an important festival for Buddhists to commemorate the birth, attainment and nirvana of the Buddha. Believers will turn to the sutras, release the dead and go on pilgrimage.
Shoton Festival
Time: 15th day of the 6th month of the Tibetan calendar
Description: Also known as the “Yogurt Festival”, this is a traditional Tibetan festival. On this day, Tibetans eat yogurt, perform various cultural performances and watch Tibetan opera.
Wangguo Festival
Time: July or August of the Tibetan calendar
Description: This is a festival to celebrate the harvest. Farmers will walk around their crop fields to pray for a good harvest in the coming year. Activities include singing, dancing and horse racing.
Bathing Festival
Time: July 6 to 12 of the Tibetan calendar
Description: According to Tibetan tradition, the river water during this time has the power to cure diseases and purify sins, so people go to the river to bathe.
Fairy Festival (Bairam Festival)
Time: October 15 of the Tibetan calendar
Description: This festival honors the auspicious goddess Bairam. Women will dress up and receive blessings.
Lantern Burning Festival
Time: October 25, Tibetan calendar
Description: Commemorates the passing of the Buddhist master Tsongkhapa. Countless ghee lamps are lit in temples and homes for prayers and commemorations.
These festivals not only carry the religious beliefs of the Tibetan people, but are also an important part of Tibetan culture and social life. During the festivals, the Tibetan people will wear festive costumes, participate in various traditional activities and enjoy the joyful atmosphere of the festivals.