The Conservancy for Tibetan Art and Culture

Shoton, the Tibetan curd (yogurt) festival, originated in the 15th century at Drepung Monastery, one of the three great Tibetan monasteries and centers of learning near Lhasa. Traditionally, the festival marked the end of the monks’ annual summer meditation retreat and was held each autumn when the grass was lush and the animals would produce milk. As part of the celebration, guests offered yogurt, which was abundant at that time, to monks of Drepung Monastery, and people picnicked on yogurt and festive foods. In the exile Tibetan community in India, Shoton is held in the spring. Shoton also featured public performances of lhamo opera.

The celebration in Lhasa used to draw the most distinguished lhamo troupes from across Tibet. A five-day festival was established in the 19th century at which private and public lhamo performances were held in sites throughout the city, including Norbulingka (the Dalai Lama’s summer residence), the Potala Palace, and Drepung Monastery. The tradition continues in Dharamsala, India, where six troupes from around India present a variety of operas from their repertoires. Although yogurt no longer plays a key role in the festival, the Shoton celebration remains a central event in the lives of Tibetans in South Asia.