Learning to Be Tibetan by Yang Miaoyan;

Author:Yang, Miaoyan; [Yang, Miaoyan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Lexington Books/Fortress Academic
Published: 2017-08-15T00:00:00+00:00

Figure 6.5. The First Tibetan Cultural Festival.

Source: Miaoyan Yang.

The culture section introduced the thangka, Buddhist books, Tibetan medicine, temples, customs, and religions; the science and technology section introduced the Tibetan input, an electronic dictionary, and other recent technological developments in Tibetan regions. Several students who were good at computers set up a counter to help Tibetans install the Tibetan input in their cellphones and laptops; the people section introduced historical people who had significantly influenced Tibetan society; the arts section introduced the Tibetan songs, traditional costumes, literatures, and calligraphy. A counter was set up at which students could practice Tibetan calligraphy; the preservation section introduced visitors to Tibetan circle dance and student journals; and the interactive section provided a platform for questions and answers. Posters and banners were put up to aid the audiences’ visualization. One or two Tibetan students were in charge of each poster. At the north side of the site, a tent was set up, demonstrating the living conditions of a nomadic family. Tibetan jewelry, incense, nomadic knives, traditional costumes, and other cultural artifacts were exhibited in the tent. Observers who had questions were encouraged to ask for further explanations. Several students played Tibetan chess. When the exhibition was approaching its end, some Tibetans volunteered to sing in the middle of the site. Finally, a group of Tibetans danced in a circle.

The first Tibetan Cultural Festival was a great success. Many Tibetans and students from other ethnic groups came and participated. Some foreign students also attended. The Tibetan Cultural Festival created a platform for direct interactions between the Tibetans and the non-Tibetans. The selective representations indicate the ways in which the Tibetans intend to be understood: the Tibetans are not “backward” as the Han Chinese have imagined; in contrast, the Tibetans are a great ethnic group with a magnificent civilization. The Tibetans are intelligent, diligent, and religious. By introducing the Tibetan input system, the Tibetans are encouraged to explore every possible way to use their own language. The Tibetans’ ethnic compatriots expect their peers to preserve and develop Tibetan culture.

The Tibetan New Year

Universities in Beijing only grant a holiday for the Chinese New Year in the winter. Since the Tibetan New Year usually takes place after the Chinese New Year, the Tibetans have to celebrate their traditional new year at MUC. Homemade foods, including tsampa, dry beef, and Tibetan cheese are brought to Beijing to share with classmates and friends.

In 2011, the Tibetan New Year was celebrated in early March. On New Year’s Eve, the Qingzhen (halal) canteen was opened temporarily as a dinner gathering venue for the Tibetans. Meal coupons were distributed to MUC Tibetan students. The students rearranged the seats in the canteen so that they were sitting in a more connected manner. Several Tibetan students cooked guthuk (དགུ་ཐུག, 古图), a special Tibetan noodle, in the canteen and served it to everyone. Some FTS leaders were also invited to celebrate with the students. On New Year’s Day, students visited each other by dropping by their dormitory rooms.

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