Tibet Festival Calendar – Dama Festival

Dama Festival is a unique traditional festival for Tibetans in Gyantse Area. It is said that the first Dama Festival was celebrated for the completion of Palkhor Monastery and Musamman Burj. It would be celebrated between April 10th and 28th according to the Tibet festival calendar. Dama means horse racing and archery in Tibetan. The local Tibetans in Gyantse would collect at the foot of Zongshan Mountain to hold various sports competitions for the celebration of the festival.

Tibet Festival Calendar – Brief Introduction of Dama Festival

Dama Festival is a traditional Tibet festival with a history of more than 600 years. During the celebration of Dama Festival, the local Tibetans would hold some artistic performances. Sports competitions (such as horse racing, yak racing, push-and-pull) would also be held during the celebration period. Thousands of peasants and herdsmen in Gyantse Area would take part in the grand celebration ceremony.

In the past, Dama Festival was celebrated on April 19th according to the Tibetan calendar. The main celebration ceremonies are greatly related to the Tibetan Buddhism, such as Buddha exhibition and some sacrifice activities. Now the Dama Festival would be celebrated in June – the slack season for the local Tibetans. The Dama Festival 2012 was celebrated on June 19th according to the Tibet festival calendar 2012. The Dama Festival also provides a stage for the interflow of commodities for local Tibetans in Gyantse.

Tibet Festival Calendar – Travel to Tibet during Dama Festival

Tourists travel to Tibet during Dama Festival could enjoy the charming Shigatse – the real sunshine city on Tibet Plateau. Though the solar radiation here is very strong, the average temperature here in June is only about 20?. Dama Festival has become one of the most important folk festivals in Shigatse Prefecture. Though horse racing is the main celebration ceremony of Dama Festival, the newly introduced yak racing, stone lifting and some other interesting competitions also attract a lot of Tibetans to participate in.

After experiencing the festival atmosphere of Dama Festival, tourists could make a visit to Mt. Everest Base Camp. Noted as the highest peak above the sea level, Mt. Everest keeps attracting a large number of tourists here with its amazing natural landscapes. The snow-capped Mt. Everest and the flag-cloud, as well as the picturesque sunrise glow and sunset glow here always left tourists a deep impression.