Riwoqe County Festivals and Activities
Qamdo Folk Custom in Tibet
Qamdo Folk Custom in Tibet – Dressing
Qamdo dressing is representative a regional culture and spirit. People in Qamdo Prefecture are called Kangba people. Men dress themselves very vigorous and unrestrained, bold and uninhibited. They prefer to wear long Tibetan knife, or other weapons. Their clothes are usually made of the silks and satins, cloth, and fabric, etc, and the edges are usually embroidered with otter's skin, tiger's skin, or leopard's skin, etc. Ladies dress themselves very graceful with as many gold and silver as possible, such as red coral earrings, coral, agate, and amber. They usually wear red coral which embroidered the silver and bronze on their forehead. It is said that the red coral was once wore by the imperial concubine of King Gesar. It looks very luxuriant and beautiful.
Qamdo Folk Custom in Tibet – Festival
Most of the festivals in Qamdo Prefecture are the same with other regions in Tibet Autonomous Region. But some festivals in Qamdo Prefecture are unique and distinctive. For example, the Shoton Festival and Wangkor Festivals are highly celebrated in Lhasa city and other regions in Tibet, but both of them are not available in Qamdo Prefecture.
With the age-old and profound history and tradition, Qamdo folk customs related to the business activities in Qamdo Prefecture are very popular and famous, such as Tsongqyue Festival. In 1326, one great master of Kagyu Sect appointed June 15th according to Tibetan calendar to celebrate the completion of the ancestral monastery of Kagyu Sect. The religious ceremonies were greatly held at that time. It is said that people would transact their business very successfully if they worship during Tsongqyue Festival. Therefore Tsongqyue Festival gradually became a very popular and splendid festival in Qamdo Prefecture in Tibet.
Qamdo Folk Custom in Tibet – Dance
Zhuo Dance
Qamdo "Zhuo Dance" is also called Qamdo "Guozhuang Dance". Qamdo "Guozhuang Dance" is showed by large numbers of people together. It is characteristic of the movements of the foot. It is the most welcomed dance in Qamdo Prefecture.
Tingqying Repa Dance
Tingqying Repa Dance is a comprehensive performance of speaking, singing, dancing, acrobatics and breathing technique. Wuto Repa Dance is most age-old dance in all the schools of Tingqying Repa Dance.
Mangkang Chord Dance
Mangkang Chord Dance is performed by many men and women together. A man will dance while play the urheen. The women will dance with the tune and chime in with men's songs together.
Qamdo Folk Custom in Tibet – Religion
Tibet Buddhism was greatly learned in Qamdo Prefecture since the 11th century. Before the introduction of Tibet Buddhism, Qamdo people mainly believed the natural deities. They thought that the deities exist everywhere in their life and fight with the devils for them. Hence they highly respected the deities and worship them very much.
Besides, people also believed the huge rocks, especially the white rock. They believed that the white rock is the essence of the snow mountain. They usually put the white stones on their roof, Manidui, or windowsill, etc.
Qamdo Folk Custom in Tibet – Taboos
The marmot was said to be the pet of the gnome's. Hence hunting the marmot is not allowed in Qamdo Prefecture. They do not eat dogs, monkeys, bears, and other animals which have the paws.
