| 77. Q: What are the folk customs and taboos of the Tibetan people? | |
A: It is important to know the local customs and taboos when touring in Tibet.
The Tibetan people practice many forms of social etiquette. Presenting hada is most commonly seen - on weddings, funerals, festive occasions, and when visiting an elderly or a respected person, or paying respects to Buddha.
Tibetans do not address people directly by their name. Usually they attach an honorific. In Lhasa, for example, people use the suffix "la." In xigaze, the prefix "Agyi" or "Ajog" is attached to a man's name.
On meeting an elderly or respected person, Tibetan take off their hats and bow, holding their hat just a few inches above the ground. On meeting a peer, they merely lower their head a little, and take off their hat to hold at their chest.
When visiting a local family, a guest will be offered highland barley wine by the host, into which he should dip his fourth finger and then flick, three times altogether. The three drops of wine are meant for worshipping heaven, earth and Tibetan ancestors. It is only then that the guest should take a sip, and have his cup refilled three times. On the host refilling his cup a third time, the guest should empty it, otherwise, the host will be insulted, and considering the guest impolite or arrogant. While seated (sitting upright on the floor with legs crossed), the host will present the guest with butter tea. The guest should wait for the host to hand over the tea and not help himself/herself to it. When receiving a gift, the guest should accept with both hands. When presenting a gift, he/she should bow and hold the gift high above the head. When offering wine or tea, the guest should hold the bowl with both hands, and his fingers should not touch its rim.
Tibetans do not cat donkey, horse or dog meat. In some places, people eat neither fish nor birds. Tibetan Buddhism also forbids the hunting and killing of wildlife.
When coming across monasteries, piles of Mani stones, pagodas and other religious structures, people should walk around them clockwise. They should not step across ritual utensils and firs basins, nor should they turn prayer wheels in the wrong direction. Finally, one should never touch a Tibetan on the head. |
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