Songzong Horse Racing Festival in Nyingchi

The Songzong Horse Racing Festival (松宗赛马节) is a traditional folk event held annually from the 15th to the 19th day of the 3rd month in the Tibetan lunar calendar in Songzong Town (松宗镇), Bomê County (波密县), Nyingchi City (林芝市), Tibet (西藏). Located 43 kilometers east of the county seat, the festival centers around Songzong Zhaxi Qulin Monastery (松宗扎西曲林寺) and blends religious rituals with cultural and sports activities. The festival attracts approximately 4,000 participants and tourists and serves as a key event in Nyingchi’s ecological tourism offerings, showcasing the folk culture of eastern Tibet.

Welcoming the Maitreya Buddha Statue (迎请向巴佛像)

On the first day of the festival, residents prepare early in the morning, dressed in festive attire with tents, food, and drinks, and head to the horse racing grounds. Near Songzong Monastery (松宗寺) and emerald-colored lakes, tents are erected. With the rhythm of cymbals and drums, monks slowly carry the Maitreya Buddha statue (向巴佛像) in a gilded palanquin along the circumambulation route of the monastery. Devotees pray for everlasting peace, good health, favorable weather, abundant harvests, and a successful festival. Participants walk alongside the statue in reverent procession, circling the monastery while offering their sincere prayers, blending laughter and prayers into a profound spiritual atmosphere.

Horse Racing and Equestrian Performances (赛马和马术表演)

During the festival, the Songzong plateau is in full spring bloom, with snow-capped peaks and blossoming peach trees. Riders from local administrative villages ride gracefully and confidently along a 2-kilometer racecourse along the Parlung Tsangpo River (帕隆藏布江). At the start signal, horses surge forward, and spectators cheer enthusiastically. Winners are presented with ceremonial white khatas (scarf offerings) to honor their skill.

Following the races, equestrian performances take place. Riders don specialized outfits and perform acrobatics such as side-swinging, picking up khatas from the track, and elegant maneuvers. The dynamic display captivates the audience and adds splendor to the festival, conveying a vibrant atmosphere of unity, celebration, and auspiciousness.

Folk Song and Dance Competitions (民间歌舞表演赛)

On the second morning, religious rituals are followed by a grand song-and-dance competition. Performers from ten administrative villages compete, dressed in traditional Kham (康巴) costumes. Young men display robust, vigorous dances, while women perform graceful, delicate movements. The performances highlight the region’s rich musical and dance traditions, with songs echoing the high plateau’s natural beauty and dances reflecting local vitality and strength. The festival transforms Songzong (松宗) into a vibrant “ocean of song” and a “sanctuary of dance,” celebrating the Tibetan people’s cultural identity and communal joy.

As sunset approaches, the festival concludes with lingering melodies and joyous farewells, leaving attendees with lasting memories and anticipation for the next year. The Songzong Horse Racing Festival (松宗赛马节) not only preserves traditional Tibetan customs but also integrates religious devotion, equestrian excellence, and folk arts, embodying the unique cultural heritage and festive spirit of eastern Tibet.