Tibetan New Year

tibet_01 For those who do not know (which would be many of us in Australia) Tibetan New Year was celebrated this year on March 6-7, 2011.

As a sign of Australia's multiculturalism, Warringah Shire on Sydney's northern beaches, supported a colourful event at Cromer Community Centre on this weekend. For a few hours the building was decorated with Tibetan prayer flags, a huge banner of Lhasa's Potala Palace and Tibetan religious artifacts as the local community celebrated.

Having travelled to the very beautiful and remote country of Tibet, it was a thrill to see people dressed in national costume – the women in the striped aprons worn every day, the men in thick jackets edged with colourful braid – and a few Buddhist monks in flowing maroon robes.

There was music (traditional and "modern Tibetan" pop-style) as well as stalls selling Tibetan craft and books, colouring-in contests for the children -- and food.

Ah, yes! The food, a free lunch for all – nibbles of Tibetan "biscuits" (fried pastry twists), beef stew, boiled potatoes, noodles, bread and momos, the Tibetan meat-filled steamed bun served everywhere in the country.

No yak stew, or yak butter tea, for obvious reasons, but a feast for all was served, washed down with soft drink or water.

Sydney is home to an estimated 800 Tibetan people and about half of them are located around Dee Why on the northern beaches. Losar (Tibetan New Year) is a festival based on the lunar cycle and this year is designated as the Year of the Female Iron Rabbit.

tibet_03

Perhaps the day was summed up best by one man who was seated feeding shreds of meat to his baby daughter in her pram. His magnificent fur-trimmed hat was from Lhasa. He explained it was a special "new year" hat. Even more important, this was his daughter's first new year.

In a country far from her ethnic roots, may she always be able to celebrate any new year she wishes here, in safety.

tibet_02

Add comment

Www.Foodandtravel.Com.Au - Australia

Best Food Travel Website 2021

foodandtravel.com.au has been awarded

Best Antipodean Culinary Travel Expert, 2019

by the prestigious UK-based magazine...

Ready for a taste treat?

Embark on an unforgettable culinary adventure through the vibrant tapestry of Malaysia.

Led by the charismatic Malaysian ex-pat Chef Wanitha Tanasingam, this intimate journey promises to tantalize your taste buds and ignite your senses, sending you home with memories to last a lifetime.

Find out more....

The flipside of travel...

How not all of it is joyous.