Tibetan custom over the years: Eat "ancient tu" to welcome the New Year
Nine ingredients needed in "Gutu"
January 17 is November 29th of the Year of Nimu. On this day, every household in the local area has to clean the courtyards, decorate the houses, light torches, set off fireworks, drive away ghosts and eliminate disasters, and then the whole family reunites to eat "Gutu". Through this traditional activity, people pray for the upcoming New Year and hope for smooth weather, good luck and well-being in the coming year.
At about 7 p.m. on January 17, the family in Laba, Xuela Village, Tarong Town had gathered. Laba's wife was cooking the indispensable dinner "Gutu" on the day of the "Expulsion of Ghost" Festival. A moment later, Laba lit a torch made of wheat straw in his hand, and then quickly turned around every room and yard of his house, shouting words to exorcise ghosts. Then he used the burning torch to light the fire in the yard and the already prepared firecrackers. The two daughters of the Laba family were unwilling to give up this time to play, and also set off firecrackers in the yard with high spirits. Then, Laba watered water in front of his house and prayed for good luck next year. At this time, the wife carrying "Gutu" walked out the door and poured "Gutu" on the stone at the door of the house, hoping that she would be a happy person in the next life.
The Laba family hung white hada in the newly decorated room. When they saw the leader's statue Laba, they couldn't help but wipe it several more times and hung up the auspicious hada affectionately.
The "Gutu" is ripe and a strong fragrance wafts out. The Laba family sat around, and the wife who was in charge served each person a bowl of steaming "Gutu" according to their seniority. "Gutu" adds nine kinds of foods, including beef, peas, highland barley slices, milk residue, radish, and rice cake, which means healthy reunion. The family was happy, eating "Gutu" with relish, their faces filled with happy smiles, and the living room was filled with a happy and peaceful atmosphere.