Travel
Sacred Tibet by Sandy Cosser
[Jan 31, 2008]
Tibet has long been held as one of the religious sanctuaries of the world. It is the home of the Tibetan Monk, meditation, spiritual wholeness and inner peace so strong that it disregards the need for all material possessions. We admire Tibet, we crave what it represents and we're a little afraid of it. Many of us forget that Tibet is a country that has the faced the loss of its culture many times over. They had to repel several attempts by the Mongols to invade and were successful through careful debate and compromise. The British, however, were not so easily swayed, especially as they brought the word of Christ with them and were determined to spread it. After them China sought to rule Tibet, which it has done on and off since 1912.
Through it all Tibet has maintained its own way of life. It has held onto the traditions that have defined it as one of the most rural and peaceful counties in the world.
Some areas of Tibet are over 3000 metres above sea level. It is very difficult to grow crops at this height. The most important Tibetan crop is barley. Barley flour is used to make a dough called tsampa, which is their staple food. Tsampa can be rolled into noodles or made into dumplings that are steamed and called momos. Tibetan meat dishes consist of yak, goat and mutton and can be dried or cooked as a spicy stew. Mustard seeds feature a lot in Tibetan cuisine because it is one of the few spices to be cultivated there on a large scale. Yak milk is a versatile commodity featuring in yoghurt, butter and cheese. Well prepared yak yoghurt can be considered an item of prestige and luxury in Tibetan society.