Tibetans living in various parts of southwest China's Tibet have different time arrangements and customs for the Tibetan Losar (new year).

 
Yangjen puts on makeup in front of a mirror at Rerong Village of Lhongzi County in Shannan Prefecture, south Tibet, Feb. 21, 2009.[Photo/Xinhua]

Lhasa

As for the Tibetan New Year in Lhasa, the preparatory stage is considered the most distinctive in feature. Just as a local saying goes, "It is more like a labor day rather than the New Year's day." People begin to make preparations one month in advance for the New Year Day, such as planting crop shoots, deep-frying wheat dough mixed with butter, buying holiday items, etc. Two days prior to the New Year's Day, families are busy cleaning their homes, placing new rugs, painting eight auspicious patterns and Swastika symbols, so on and so forth.

On the New Year's Day, after taking back "lucky water", all family members put on new clothes and take seats in the order of seniority in the family, enjoy eating a certain kind of food named "Zhuoma Zhesi" made of rice mixed with ginseng fruits, butter, and sugar. People begin to visit their friends and relatives from the New Year's second day in the Tibetan calendar, exchanging festival greetings.

 
Solange makes Five-Cereal Containers at Rerong Village of Lhongzi County in Shannan Prefecture, south Tibet, Feb. 21, 2009.[Photo/Xinhua]

Xigaza

Xigaza Prefecture is a major grain producing area in Tibet. Unlike traditions in Lhasa, residents in Xigaze celebrate the New Year on Dec. 1 in the Tibetan calendar, in line with local climate conditions and agricultural arrangements.

Nyingchi

Gongbo'gyamda County of Nyingchi Prefecture celebrates the New Year on Oct. 1 in the Tibetan calendar. It is said that warfare never ceased in this area in ancient times. When young men went out to the battleground, they always felt regrettable for being not able to drink the highland barley liquor or eat snacks. Therefore, local residents decided to mark the Tibetan New Year in advance.

Pastoral area of northern Tibet

In the pastoral area of northern Tibet, the Tibetan New Year starts from Dec.1, on which falls the "Off-year's Day" specially for herdsmen.