Unique Tibet fest rings in new year

Kongpo Losar Festival features traditional snacks, festive clothes and fireworks

Even a magnitude 6.9 earthquake couldn't stop a community in the Tibet autonomous region from enjoying its unique New Year festivities on Nov 19.

The quake, which struck early on Nov 18, caused power failures and damage to buildings in several villages across Nyingchi.

Yet the locals went ahead regardless with events to mark Kongpo Losar Festival, which is observed a month ahead of the traditional Tibetan Losar New Year. This year it fell on Sunday, Nov 19.

Kongpo Tibetan people in many villages still gather around the fires in their houses to roast jidar, a popular traditional snack made from yak butter, milk, barley paste and sugar, to celebrate their New Year's Eve.

On New Year's Day, people clean their homes, dress up in festive clothes, set off fireworks and have fun. Women perform the Harvest Goddess ceremony to pray for a good crop in the coming year.

Kongpo Losar Festival dates back to the 13th century, when the Tibetan king discovered that Genghis Khan intended to attack the region. To prepare for battle, the king ordered his people to celebrate the festival a month earlier, a tradition that is continued to honor those who fought in the battle.

According to the Tibetan government, Saturday's quake injured three people and damaged 1,453 houses.