QUAINT NEW YEAR.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 122, 26 May 1939, Page 6

QUAINT NEW YEAR.

TIBET CEREMONIES.

DALAI LAMA'S COURT.

A GRAPHIC DESCRIPTION. (Fr.'.ni Our Own Corresp'-'lcnt.) CALCUTTA, May 1. Though Tibet has still not found the reincarnation of its monk ruler, the Dalai Lama, picturesque ceremonies associated with his court continue to he held at Lhasa. A report from Mr. H. E. Richardson, leader of the British Mission there, gives a graphic description of the Xew Year festivities.

"The Dalai !.araa'« robes are brought in procession, followed by the Regent, and set on his throne. The Regent and all the highest oflicials stand in the centre of the hall and prostrate themselves three times before the throne. Then a long procession streams up to offer scarves to the throne and to bow to the Regent and Prime Minister, who sit on lower thrones on the right. The Dronyer Chhempo (Lord Chamberlain) goes round the hall inquiring on behalf of the Dalai Lama whether all the guests are well.

"The Chikyap Khenpo stands on the highest step of the throne to minister to the needs of the Dalai Lama, while two young officials with golden censers stand one on either side of the lowest step. The Dronyer Chhempo leads a monk carrying a golden teapot, and the tea is first tasted by another monk official before being offered to the Dalai Lama. Then tea fc served to the whole company."

Dancing boys perform, and then offerings to the Dalai Lama in the shape of hread, fruit, sweets, sheep and yak carcases are piled in the hall. Later crowds went to the foot of the Potala (Government palace) to see the pole trick.

'"Formerly a man had to slide down a rope fixed from a corner of the Potala to tlip Doring, hut this seemed too dangerous, so now a tall mast ir* *et up and a man climlw up this and gyrates on hi* (stomach several time* on an iron spike. This performance is a tax on a village, somewhere near Mount Everest, which holds its land free except for this one duty."