"Gutu Eve" observed with warmth and joy ahead of the Tibetan New Year in Burang-Tibet Online

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"Gutu Eve" observed with warmth and joy ahead of the Tibetan New Year in Burang

December 22, 2025Source: Xinhua

Jamyang Drolma (2nd L) poses for a group photo with her family in Khorchak Village, Burang County of Ngari Prefecture, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Dec. 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida)
This photo taken on Dec. 18, 2025 shows "Gutu" cooked at Jamyang Drolma's home in Khorchak Village, Burang County of Ngari Prefecture, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida)
Local residents celebrate the "Gutu Eve" in Khorchak Village, Burang County of Ngari Prefecture, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Dec. 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida)
Jamyang Drolma prepares "chema" at home in Khorchak Village, Burang County of Ngari Prefecture, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Dec. 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida)
Jamyang Drolma's mother cooks "Gutu" at home in Khorchak Village, Burang County of Ngari Prefecture, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Dec. 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida)
A resident shows a note denoting wishes and expectations for the New Year on the "Gutu Eve" in Khorchak Village, Burang County of Ngari Prefecture, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Dec. 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida)
Local residents in traditional Tibetan attire celebrate the "Gutu Eve" in Khorchak Village, Burang County of Ngari Prefecture, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Dec. 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida)
An aerial drone photo taken on Dec. 18, 2025 shows a view of Khorchak Village in Burang County of Ngari Prefecture, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida)

Two days ahead of the Tibetan New Year is the traditional "Gutu Eve" for families to have a feast of "gutu," a traditional soup dish made of flour, at home. "Gu" in Tibetan means nine, which is a lucky number. "Tu" means "pasta." Nine different fillings like wool, charcoal and chili are placed inside the dough drops, and each of these fillings has a meaning. While in Burang, "Gutu" is a sort of porridge with nine ingredients and also a distinctive dish on the dinner table of the "Gutu Eve."

In Khorchak Village of Burang County, Jamyang Drolma's family is bustling with New Year preparations at home. A pot of "Gutu" steams on the stove, while the "chema," a two-tier rectangular wooden box containing roasted barley and fried wheat grain, is placed to pray for bountiful harvest in the next year. This year, the family rejoiced over a bumper harvest of highland barley and peas. "Life is getting better and better, and our New Year celebrations are becoming more lively each year," Jamyang Drolma said with a smile.