Year of the Firebird gets traditional welcome

The holiday has been a busy time for Chungdak, 47, who lives in Lhasa. She said many relatives visited her new "bright and comfortable" modern home on the first day of Losar for a traditional party, and then she spent the rest of her free time visiting other relatives.

"I couldn't visit everyone I wanted to because I had to work, too, so I'll try to see the rest during weekends," she said. "I want to wish everyone health, happiness and good luck in the new year."

Tsetan Yudron said 15 days were not enough to see all her relatives.

"Many Tibetans in Lhasa drink beer like a fish at Losar. But most of my family don't like to drink beer," the 33-year-old said. "Instead, we drink homemade highland barley wine at gatherings, which is a bit more healthy."

She said although her family moved to the city more than a decade ago, they have continued to preserve the traditional ways of celebrating Losar.

"We go back to our old home in the countryside on the second day of Losar to renew the prayer flags on the roof, and we go up the mountain to burn juniper branches as an offering to the mountain gods," she said.

"Living in the city, our family doesn't put much importance on drinking more beer or playing on their cellphone," she added. "We prefer to play traditional games, and we like to have conversations with each other."

Contact the writers at palden_nyima@chinadaily.com.cn