Tibet Festival – Gyantse Dama Festival

Gyantse Dama Festival is a traditional Tibet festival for the Tibetans in Gyantse Area. It is said the first Dama Festival was originally for the celebration of the completion of the Palkhor Monastery and the Octagonal Pagoda in Gyantse Area.

Brief Introduction of Gyantse Dama Festival

Gyantse Dama Festival would be celebrated between April 10th and April 28th according to the Tibetan calendar. It is of great significance for the Tibetans in Tsang Area. Dama Festival means horse racing and archery in Tibetan. Tibetans in Gyantse Area would collect at the foot of Zongshan Mountain and hold various sport competitions and performance for the celebration of Dama Festival. Generally, the celebration would last for about one week.

Gyantse Dama Festival is a typical Tibetan festival which has a history of more than 600 years. Various sport competitions would be held during the celebration of the festival, including horse racing, yak racing, archery, push-and-pull and some other activities. Thousands of Tibetans would join the celebration of Dama Festival.

Celebration of Gyantse Dama Festival

Dama Festival would be celebrated in many areas except Gyantse Area. The celebration of Dama Festival in Gyantse Area attracts a large number of tourists every year. Some religious activities (such as the Buddha Exhibition) would also be an important part of the celebration.

Originally, Gyantse Dama Festival was celebrated between April 10th and April 28th according to the Tibetan calendar. Later, the festival would be celebrated during the slack farming season (June 14th to 20th according to Tibetan calendar). Tibetans would collect on the ground, eating the traditional Tibetan food while enjoying the performance and games.

Gyantse Dama Festival has been one of the most solemn folk festivals of Shigatse Area. Tourists planning a Tibet festival tour during the Dama Festival could experience the festal atmosphere and explore the traditional Tibetan culture. Tourists could also witness various Tibetan handicrafts on the exchange market of Dama Festival.