Nyima Tsering and his “Tui”.

Nyima draws on the “Tui”.

Tibetan New Year is around the corner. Tibetan people have been busy preparing the new year’s goods. Among various new year’s goods, the tribute “Tui” is special.

“Tui”, a kind of food indispensable for important rituals and festivals, such as the Losar and weddings, is also called Tibetan dessert. It is made of brown sugar, granulated sugar, milk residue and yak butter. With a rectangular or round shape, it has some auspicious patterns drawn with butter on the surface.

Every household prepares the “Tui” one week before the Losar. Before, people made “Tui” by themselves. Now, lots of people buy the ready-made ones.

The 50-year-old Nyima Tsering is from Nyingzhong Township, Damxung County. He usually comes to Lhasa to sell “Tui” one month before the Tibetan New Year. It has been 30 years.

This year, he also comes to Lhasa to sell “Tui” with his 6 brothers. “In the beginning, I came to Lhasa alone. Later, my brothers grew up, and I brought them here to make and sell ‘Tui’.” Said Nyima Tsering. With his brothers’ help, the “Tui” sells very well.

At 8 p.m., in a yard in Xungga community, several young men are busy mixing the milk residue, molding the “Tui” and drawing patterns. “In the day, we have to go out and sell the ‘Tui’. We can only make them at night.” Said Nyima Tsering, “Sometimes, we make ‘Tui’ until 2 a.m. in the morning.”

In the yard, besides Nyima Tsering, there are also other vendors. Deep in the night, the yard is still lighted, with people busy making the “Tui”. “Most of the vendors selling the ‘Tui’ are from our township. This year, there are over 50 vendors, and only part of them live in this yard.” According to Nyima Tsering.

To increase income of the family, herdsmen usually come to Lhasa to sell “Tui” before Losar. It is learned that one jin (1/2kg) of “Tui” is sold at 30 yuan. One vendor can earn 2,000 to 3,000 yuan a day. “We will go back to celebrate the Tibetan Losar after all these are sold out.” Said Nyima Tsring happily.