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Riot of colour, Buddhas, dancing and lamb carcasses as Tibetans see in new year

Police a constant presence in Qinghai but celebration passes without incident

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Tibetan Buddhist monks pray during a ceremony for Losar, the Tibetan new year, at Rongwo monastery. Photo: AFP

Despite a few elbows to the face, Tsering pushed through the broil of Tibetan worshippers and lifted her bawling two-year-old over the mad crush, briefly pressing the girl’s forehead to a passing sacred scroll.

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Scores of monks and men heaved the enormous thangka – an image of Buddha painted on silk, rolled up in a tight cylinder while in transit – through the packed streets around Rongwo monastery in China’s northwestern province of Qinghai for a religious ritual wrapping up Losar, the Tibetan new year.

“It’s good luck, especially for children,” said Tsering, breathless and flushed with success, before whirling away to search rather fruitlessly for her daughter’s missing right shoe.

Monks and men heave an enormous thangka – an image of Buddha painted on silk – through packed streets around Rongwo monastery. Photo: AFP
Monks and men heave an enormous thangka – an image of Buddha painted on silk – through packed streets around Rongwo monastery. Photo: AFP
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China has long been accused of trying to eradicate Tibetan culture through political and religious repression. Beijing insists that Tibetans enjoy extensive freedoms.

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