Tsampa throwing festival, Yushu, China - April 4, 2021
The first handful of tsampa flour thrown in my face was a bit of a shock, but I should have realised nobody was safe about five seconds after the air filled with fluffy puffs of white. Silly me. By the end there wasn't a monk, VIP, local or hapless photographer standing that wasn't covered in white flour dust. Nothing like a good old-fashioned food fight to remind us that sometimes you've just got to let your hair down and play. And perhaps this is what festivals are all about. Acknowledging the hard work required to put food on our table and welcoming the seasons with gratitude.
The ancient Tibetan plateau village of Ga Duo has officially been celebrating the Zanba Festival for 11 years, although historically it could be thousands. Barley flour has been a staple food for locals for millennia, and while religions have changed from Bon to Buddhism, the essence of the celebration remains. To welcome the spring and invite a good harvest.
I also felt welcomed. And despite my ignorance around official proceedings and exactly how much plastic I should cover my camera with, I’ll be back next year to marvel as the snow-clouds lift and the sun shines as soon as the kids start to dance. I’ll be back to admire the vibrant costumes and enjoy the traditional dancing, to hear traditional songs and witness the monk’s ritual preparation. I’ll wear better shoes so I don't slip over on the ice. And I might even throw some tsampa flour in someone’s face.
I would like to respectfully thank Woden Norbu - the administrative chief of town - for his hospitality, and Phuntso Wangia - the founder of The Yushu Spinal Injury Organisation - for kindly inviting me to join him on this special day.
