Gedong Festival: A Grand Festival of Dance Between Humans and Gods

This is a sacred and grand Qiangmu ritual. Around the time of the Gedong Festival, grains are stored and farming and herding are abundant. Therefore, this festival not only carries the joy of celebrating the harvest but also embodies the beautiful wish for favorable weather and good harvests in the coming year. 📍 The Gedong Festival at different monasteries each has its unique traditions and dates. · The Gedong Festival at Dongzhulin Monastery is held from the 28th to the 29th day of the 8th month of the Tibetan calendar, corresponding to October 12 to 13 this year; · The Gedong Festival at Songzanlin Monastery takes place from the 26th to the 29th day of the 11th month of the Tibetan calendar, corresponding to January 7 to 10, 2024. The Qiangmu dance at Dongzhulin Monastery is inherited from the oldest monastery in Tibet—Samye Monastery. Its Gedong Festival is also called the "Monk’s Festival," which can be understood as the monks’ annual "year-end grand event." 👺 During the ritual, Qiangmu dancers wear masks of animals such as oxen, horses, and deer, moving solemnly to the sacred music with graceful steps. Each mask has its unique meaning. The moment the dancer puts on the mask, they "become" the embodiment of a deity. The gods and protectors who usually reside on thangkas and murals descend to the human world and mingle among the believers—this once-a-year closest encounter with the divine is both a meeting of faith and a blessing of the soul. This is both a solemn ritual and a joyous celebration shared by humans and gods. 📚 In Tibetan belief, understanding and facing death is a lifelong practice. The "god-dance" Qiangmu is not only a ritual for disaster relief and blessing but also a profound revelation of the essence of life. The Qiangmu dance performed year after year is a rehearsal for death by the Tibetan people. When one has "met" the gods in this world and moves toward the other shore, there is no longer fear of unknown deities and spirits. Like two opposing mirrors: only by facing death can one better understand life; only by witnessing the scene of transcendence can one clearly know how to live in this world.