Photographer: Narendra Shrestha
As the Tibetan New Year 2024 approaches, the Sherpas of Nepal celebrate the biggest festival of the year. From February 10 to 24 in the Gregorian calendar, Kathmandu is immersed in a strong festive atmosphere, celebrating this important festival that originates from the local religious sacrificial customs. As one of the most solemn traditional festivals of the Tibetan people, the Tibetan New Year is not only warmly celebrated in China** and Tibetan Autonomous Regions, Mongolia, Nepal, Bhutan and other places, but also has become a cultural event that crosses national borders.
The Sherpas, known as the "porters of the Himalayas", have a large ethnic group in Nepal. Scattered on both sides of the Himalayas, they are known for their bravery, tenacity, and superior mountaineering skills. On the occasion of the New Year, the Sherpas add a touch of color to the festival with their unique sword dance performance.
In the square of Kathmandu, Sherpas dressed in costumes and armed with long swords danced to the passionate **. Their dancing posture is vigorous and elegant, and the light of their swords flashes as if telling an ancient and mysterious story. Sword dancing is not only a traditional skill of the Sherpa people, but also an important symbol of their culture and spirit. Through this dance, Sherpas show the outside world their bravery, wisdom, and solidarity.
The celebration of the Tibetan New Year is rich and colorful, in addition to sword dance performances, there are also customs such as cleaning, family dinners, and visiting relatives and friends. At this special moment, the Tibetan people will leave their busy work and life behind and reunite with their families to enjoy the joy and warmth of the New Year. Cleaning means saying goodbye to the old and welcoming the new, which means that the new year can usher in a better life; Family dinners are a symbol of unity and affection, making people feel the warmth and strength of home.
In addition, folk celebrations such as horse racing, archery, pot villages, and Tibetan opera are also highlights during the Tibetan New Year. On the racecourse, the horses galloped and the riders competed, showing the bravery and pride of the Tibetan people; Archery competitions test people's precision and strength; Guozhuang dance is a collective dance, people hold hands in a circle, with the cheerful ** dance, expressing the feelings of unity and joy; As one of the traditional forms of Tibetan drama, Tibetan opera shows the profound heritage of Tibetan culture through vivid performances and rich plots.
The celebration of the Tibetan New Year is not only a display of traditional culture, but also an opportunity for national unity and cultural exchange. On this special occasion, Tibetan people from different countries and regions come together to celebrate this traditional festival and share each other's culture and stories. Such cross-border celebrations not only enhance mutual understanding and friendship, but also make a positive contribution to the promotion of cultural diversity and world peace.
With the end of the Tibetan New Year, the Sherpa sword dance performance also came to an end. However, the bravery, wisdom and solidarity of this cultural treasure will forever shine on the land of Nepal as an integral part of this beautiful country. In the days to come, we look forward to the Sherpas continuing to bring more surprises and touches to the world with their sword dance and other traditional cultural forms.