ritual

The Brag 'go Wolf Begging Ritual (Spyang sprang)

Abstract: 
A ritual performed in in Dge rtse (Genzhi 更知) Township, Brag 'go (Luhuo 炉霍) County, Dkar mdzes (Ganzi 甘孜) Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan (四川)  Province is described. The ritual involved a man, his son, and his nephew taking a wolf skin, visiting nine villages, and asking for donations to appease the 'owner of the wolves'.

Blessing

Tenba Gyaltso is the Lama of Ati Gompa, Karmathang's local monastery. Here he gives blessings to the villagers after the Latse ritual.

Photographer: 
Tsemdo Thar

Latse

Villagers set off firecrackers to celebrate the completion of the new latse.

Photographer: 
Tsemdo Thar

Latse

People scatter wind horses after the Latse has been completed.

Photographer: 
Tsemdo Thar

Arrows

Village males insert arrows into the Latse according to arrow length. The longest one should be first and the shortest one should be last.

Photographer: 
Tsemdo Thar

Arrows

The bushes that are inserted into the Latse base are chosen according to a book that describes what kinds of bushes are needed for a Latse.

Photographer: 
Tsemdo Thar

Arrows

Village men insert wooden arrows into the Latse.

Photographer: 
Tsemdo Thar

Covering the Wonba

Villagers cover the wonba.

Photographer: 
Tsemdo Thar

Latse

Villagers tie fake rifles, spears and knives around the shokshang.

Photographer: 
Tsemdo Thar