Origin of Hada

"Hada" is the transliteration of Tibetan language. Tibetans named it "Laze" (means "magic cloth"). It is presented in first meeting. It is strip silk fabric or linen fabrics. Hada is the most commonly, but most reverend gift in Tibet. There are various etiquettes in Tibet, and presenting Hada is the most commonly etiquettes. Tibetans will present Hada in festivals, visiting elders, greeting and congratulation, worshipping, wedding or funeral, welcome and farewell ceremony and many other situations to express their respect, congratulation, blessing and so on.

"Hada" is equal to the gift silk in ancient Han nationality, which symbolizes the friendship among nations, express the sincerity of the presenter. It is auspicious which used to express the respect and congratulation. About the origin of Hada, there are some different ideas:

Origin of Hada – "Started in Yuan, Popular in Ming, Prosper in Qing"

It is said that "Hada" was introduced into Tibet in Yuan Dynasty. It is recorded in Tibetan custom that Hada was introduced into Tibet from Yuan Dynasty in 13th century. The Hada at that time was decorated with the designs of the Great Wall and the words of "everything goes well". After it was introduced into Tibet, it was added into religious meaning. It is said that Hada is the streamer of fairy. And presenting Hada becomes a kind of etiquettes constantly.

Origin of Hada – Originated from Han

The second idea think that Hada was originated from Han districts. There is a sentence in the folk song of Shigatse that "white Hada came from eastern Han districts."

Origin of Hada – Originated from the Custom in Pasturing Area

The third idea think that Hada was originated from the custom in western Tibet pasturing area that dress white wool for the first give birth cow. It is said that in Nierong pasturing area, there will hold a serious ceremony or the cow when it first give birth to calf in autumn. At that time, people will dress up the cow with white wool bunches, lash long white wool bunches on its horns, back and tail, and people named it "White Wool Hada". Some of them also decorated the cow feet with trumpet shells. When the winter follows autumn, after cutting wool, people will lash white wool bunches for the sheep with beautiful horns. It is inherited by many generations, the white wool bunch Hada became cotton fabric, silk fabric and some other texture Hada. Until now, there still use white wool Hada in western Tibet.

Origin of Hada – The Custom that Wool is Auspicious

The fourth idea thinks that there was a popular custom in folk Tibetan that white wool is auspicious. That is bunching the white wool and ties them on head, neck. In festival, tie them on water tanks, the foodstuffs' bags and flagons. This custom was originated in Tu Bo period. One follower of the creator of Bon religion often ties wool on his forehead. As for his ears are very big and he is shy for that, so he use wool bunch to cover his ears. Hence people named him "Bai Tun" ("Bai" means wool, while "Tun" means forehead). Ordinary people didn't know why he ties his head with wool; only know he is the follower of Bon religion. So, people regard wool as auspicious thing to worship, and form the custom that tie wool bunches in New Year Festival.