Why Entering White Tents During a Trip to Tibet is Discouraged
Everyone knows that Tibetan residents and our living habits are quite different. Their houses are mostly simple tents built on the grasslands, because they mostly engage in animal husbandry and often need to migrate seasonally. These simple houses are convenient for taking with you as you move.
When we go on a trip to Tibet, we can see many such tents on the local grasslands. Many tourists, out of curiosity about Tibetan customs, enter the tents without knowing, and unexpectedly encounter some unforeseen events and disputes.
Generally, when we go to Tibet for tourism, we usually stay in rented tents and don't randomly enter locals' tents, of course, it's unavoidable to peek in out of curiosity sometimes. However, the local beauties expressed that it's difficult to get out after entering. Why is that?
Many tourists who have been to Tibet say that there are some white tents on the Tibetan grasslands that cannot be entered randomly. They are said to be specifically for finding partners for local girls. If a tourist accidentally enters, it's easy to be regarded as a suitor, and then it's difficult to leave.
It is said that these white tents will have a fourteen- or fifteen-year-old girl sitting inside. Local boys of similar age will enter the tents alone to undergo tests. First, they must have great courage, and secondly, they must bring a fresh beef bribe to the tents outside, and they must also carry a dagger to cut open the girls' belts.
After going through this series of tests, the two will compete in wrestling. If the young man loses, he can only leave. Because the girls like strong boys, many tourists heard about the Tibetan customs like this and felt it was a bit too casual.
However, when I went to Tibet myself, I found that this was completely wrong. When I arrived in Tibet, I specifically asked the local Tibetan residents if this custom actually existed. The Tibetan residents told me that this was a completely false statement spread by tourists. In fact, these white tents are used for the temporary rest of those participating in wrestling.
There are wrestling and horse riding competitions held on the Tibetan grasslands every year, and many contestants will gather here. These competitions usually last for several days, so the contestants need to stay here. That's why people build these white tents near the road for rest and use.
These activities are generally held in the summer. You can choose to come to Tibet for tourism at this time, to watch herds of cattle and sheep on the vast grasslands, to wear local Tibetan costumes, to watch Tibetan residents wrestling and horse riding, and to experience the rich Tibetan customs and experience the unique Tibetan folk customs.
However, it is important to note that while white tents are not used for local girls to find partners, tourists should also not randomly enter other people's homes, otherwise it is easy to be mistaken for a thief. If you encounter a Tibetan resident with a bad temper, you may receive a beating. So it's best not to enter other people's white tents.
