Momo 'མོག་མོག'

The Tibetan New Year, Lhosar falls on different days of the English calendar, usually on the 29th of February. It is celebrated with new clothes, many special foods, Chhyang (rice beer) and Lofi (barley shoots). Dheroh (boiled maize flour which is a substitute for rice) or Khapsey is one of the most significant foods eaten during Losar. Although momo is considered a Tibetan cuisine in Nepal,  according to Tsering Wango, momos are never eaten on the first day of the New Year because the meat closed up in dough would signify a shutting off of good luck. Nevertheless, dough made of flour is still the specialty of Lhosar celebration.

Khapse is a Tibetan biscuit made of wheat and barley  flour mixed with egg, butter and sugar, and is especially eaten on first day of Tibetan New Year known as Lhosar. It comes in different shapes and sizes. he most common is the small twisted rectangular pieces which is served to guests while there are more elaborate shapes like sugar frosted circular patterned discs, as well as huge elongated hollow tubes that are used for decorations. The khapse dough is then deep-fried which gives it its light brown/yellow color.

Momo like Guthuk

On the 29^th of the Tibetan calendar month i.e. Lhosar, Guthuk, dough resembling the dough of momo is made. Thus, two kinds of dough are made on this day, one is Guthuk, dough made into small balls in which some pieces of coal, chili, cotton, stone, coal, paper, sun, moon, rice, etc. are filled inside before cooking. Each family member then picks and opens their dough to see what his portion contains, which is said to symbolize the person’s character; coal represents an evil person with black heart while chili means the person is hot tempered, etc. Then, everyone eats thukpa (Tibetan noodle soup made of meat and potato) leaving a little bit along with the rest of the previous Guthuk dough.

On the same day, some monasteries feature their traditional Lama dance. Towards the end of the day, an effigy of a demon is made, and all the leftover Guthuk is poured on it. Members of the family also rub their body against a small portion of the same ball of dough before the dough is thrown away.  Then, the senior member of the family takes all of the unwanted dough out of the house and throws it outside without looking back for fear that the evil spirits would return. In addition, the female member makes a noise by striking a utensil or a container to chase the evil spirits away.