Tibetan Folklore,  Shangri La - China  Sept.2015

Tibetan mythology refers to the traditional as well as the religious stories that have been passed down by the Tibetan people. Tibetan mythology consists mainly of national mythology stemming from the Tibetan culture as well as religious mythology from both Tibetan Buddhism and Bön Religion. These myths are often passed down orally, through rituals, or through traditional art like sculptures or cave paintings. They also feature a variety of different creatures ranging from gods to spirits to monsters that play a significant role in Tibetan mythology. Some of the most known national myths in this include perhaps one of the most well-known myths, the Tibetan creation myth, Pha Trelgen Changchup Sempa who was believed to be the monkey ancestor of the Tibetan people. Many versions of this myth are presented however the widely accepted version being that the monkey ancestor, Pha Trelgen Changchup Sempa arrived in Tibet when the world was covered in water and eventually had children that were baby monkeys. These children eventually learned how to use tools, harvest crops, and become self-sufficient, and created a civilization, the Tibetan people are said to be descendants of this civilization. (Source:wikipedia.org)

The premiere night of the Humanity Photo Awards program jointly organized by Unesco and CFPA (Chinese Folklore Photographers Association), which was held in Shangri La which I won 3 different awards in 3 different categories. They organized a very rich program for us in the large area in front of the building where the award-winning photographs are exhibited. I had the chance to watch folklore teams dances in traditional Tibetan clothes, which I am unique to different regions. I wish I could talk to them about the folkloric stories behind games in a larger time. 18.Sept.2015