Damxung Horse Racing Festival is held from July 10th to 16th in the Tibetan calendar

If you are familiar with Tibetan culture, you will know that horses are closely related to the lives of Tibetan people. And it will reflect the material pursuit and aspirations of those people who live in Tibet. Local Tibetan people see horses as their dear friends with a strong affection for them. So, it is in their nature to love horses. That is also the reason for kinds of horse racing festivals on the plateau.

Damxung Horse Racing Festival is held from July 10th to 16th in the Tibetan calendar every year. So, tourists who come to visit Tibet in August will have the chance to witness this grand festival. Damxung Horse Racing Festival is also called the "Damg Jiren" Festival.  It is a festival created to celebrate the harvest. And Tibetans and Mongols could exchange goods with this opportunity. And then those lamas would chant scripture and pray for the harvest of the next year. Gradually, more and more activities have been added to this festival, which made it to be such grand.

Damxung Horse Racing Festival

During the festival, local people will wear colorful long-sleeved clothes and hats, gathering to sing and dance. All of them will totally immerse themselves in the joyful atmosphere. They really love this kind of festival. As for those competitors who will attend the horse racing, they will also dress in their best costumes with their horses that wear colorful ornaments as well. They know the champion will win the respect and the loudest cheers from those friends and relatives.

Horse Racing Festivals held in those places in Tibet have been a great way for the exchange of traditional culture. Besides, it is also a great meeting for young girls and boys to connect with each other. They will sit around singing and dancing. That’s why horse racing, as a popular activity for Tibetan people, has a long history in Tibetan culture.