Lazi (Lab rtse) Construction in Karmatang (Skar ma thang) Village

Abstract: 

The construction of a new lazi (lab rtse) in Karmatang (Skarma thang) is described, with fourteen photographs illustrating the process.

Place Reference: 

Skar ma thang Village, Xinjie Township, Khri ka County

Karmathang Village

A picture of Karmatang village before the Latse ritual took place. Now after its completion the Latse can be seen on the ridge at the far right side of the frame.

Photographer: 
Tsemdo Thar

Arrows

Arrows are made and painted in preparation for the Latse's construction. Village leaders bought the materials in Xining City (the capital of Qinghai Province) and the village men made the arrows themselves.

Photographer: 
Tsemdo Thar

Latse Foundation

Karmathang villagers build the Latse foundation.

Photographer: 
Tsemdo Thar

Loading the Tree

Villagers load the conifer tree onto a tractor, ready to transport it back to Karmathang Village.

Photographer: 
Tsemdo Thar

Carrying the Conifer Tree

Village men are on the Domotang Grassland which is near the Ami-Daker mountain. It is about twenty-five kilometers from Karmatang Village. They carry the conifer tree which will become part of the center of the new Latse.

Photographer: 
Tsemdo Thar

Villagers

These village men went to the mountain and felled a conifer tree for the construction of the new Latse.

Photographer: 
Tsemdo Thar

Wonba

After the Latse materials are prepared, the monks chant and purify them for three days before they put them into the Latse. Materials required for the Latse include include tsamba (roasted barley flour dough) sculptures, the wonba (a container filled with precious things, wheat, beans, honey and butter), and wooden blocks with scriptures written on them.  

Photographer: 
Tsemdo Thar

Motorbikes

Village men ride their motorcycles as they lead the Lama to the Latse site at around seven o’clock in the morning.

Photographer: 
Tsemdo Thar

Lama

Tenba Gyaltso, the Lama of Ati Monastery, chants scriptures before the Latse ritual.

Photographer: 
Tsemdo Thar

Monks

The Lama and his student measure to determine the position where the shokshang will be placed.

Photographer: 
Tsemdo Thar

Monks

Tenba Gyaltso (the lama of Ati Monastery) and his disciples measure with a woolen string the place where they will bury the wonba.

Photographer: 
Tsemdo Thar

Monks

Tenba Gyaltso, the Lama of Ati Monastery, places the Wonba into the Latse base.

Photographer: 
Tsemdo Thar

Monks

Monks chant scriptures after the wonba has been placed in the Latse.

Photographer: 
Tsemdo Thar

Monks

Tenba Gyaltso, the Lama of the local monastery, covers the Wonba with a piece of silk.

Photographer: 
Tsemdo Thar

Latse

Two village men who were born in the year of the tiger are selected to set up the Shokshang with the monks.

Photographer: 
Tsemdo Thar

Latse

The village men stand the conifer tree beside the Shokshang. Woolen threads are tied amongst the tree leaves.

Photographer: 
Tsemdo Thar

Latse

The Lama and his students place wooden blocks with scriptures written on them at the base of the Latse. They also tie some to the Shokshang facing outwards towards the four directions (north, south, east, west).

Photographer: 
Tsemdo Thar

Latse

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

Photographer: 
Tsemdo Thar

Covering the Wonba

Villagers cover the wonba.

Photographer: 
Tsemdo Thar

Arrows

Village men insert wooden arrows into the Latse.

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

Arrows have been inserted into the Latse according to their length. The longest arrow should be the first and the shortest should be the last.

Photographer: 
Tsemdo Thar

Children

Village children tie woolen threads around the Latse Shokshang to stabilize it and the arrows. The Shokshang is the central pillar of the Latse. This Tibetan word can be directly translated as ‘life-wood’.

Photographer: 
Tsemdo Thar

Chanting

The Lama and his disciples purify the new Latse after the foundation has been built.

Photographer: 
Tsemdo Thar

Latse

People scatter wind horses after the Latse has been completed.

Photographer: 
Tsemdo Thar

Latse

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

Photographer: 
Tsemdo Thar

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

Comic Performances

The Lamas enjoy comic performances after the Latse ritual.

Photographer: 
Tsemdo Thar

Archery

Village men are happy and jump after the Latse ritual. One villager has an imported bow from the USA,

Photographer: 
Tsemdo Thar

Archery

Joba, a farmer, prepares to shoot an arrow.

Photographer: 
Tsemdo Thar
Source Reference: 

Lazi (Lab rtse) Construction in Karmatang (Skar ma thang) Village

TitleLazi (Lab rtse) Construction in Karmatang (Skar ma thang) Village
Publication TypeJournal Article
JournalAsian Highlands Perspectives
Volume1
Start Page349
Pagination349-366
ISSN1835-7741
Other NumbersLibrary of Congress Control Number: 2008944256
Citation KeyplaculAHP