Tshogchang is a traditional drink served by local Bhutanese communities to receive guests in the eastern part of Bhutan. Whenever any guest visits a community, it is customary for the local communities to collect a jandom barrel of Ara (local brew) from each household and present before the visitors. Village people, usually women, come in a group along with a pitcher of wine, a few eggs, red chillies to pay respect to the guest. They will also offer rice, maize and other snacks and drink together with the guests. It is symbolic in that the people are offering a gesture of welcome to the guest. \n\nNote : The text above is an excerpt from Sonam Chopel (https://schopheltrashigangpa.wordpress.com/) and adapted with the information provided from the National Library and Archives of Bhutan.

Art Council of Mongolia, Culture Naadam Project

It is the New Year by solar calendar in Central, South and South-West Asia countries. According to sources, Navruz was one of the biggest festivities among Iranian and Turkic peoples. Mahmud al-Kashgari in his work called "Diwanu l-Lugat al-Turk" mentions about many folk songs, which were dedicated to Navruz. Also, the information about Navruz festivity can be found in such works as "The remaining traces of past centuries" (written by Abu Rayhan al-Biruni), "Navruzname" (by Omar Khayyam), and those written by Alisher Navoi, Zahir-ud-Din Muhammad Babur and other scholars.\nIn the territory of Central Asia Navruz festivity was associated with the beginning of the New Year. As such, the preparations for it began several days ahead. Wheat was germinated and from its sprouts sumalak was cooked, dumplings with greens and samosas with mint were prepared. Also folk games were organized (such as horseracing, uloq, kurash, etc.), promenades were arranged, songs about spring were sung, terma and dostons were performed (by bakhshis). On the first day of Navruz children, living in rural areas, gathered in groups and sang songs dedicated to Navruz before the doors of houses. And the owner of the house, hearing these songs, came out, gave presents to children, and treated them with food. In their turn, children distributed one part of the food among widows and orphans living in the village. All these traditions and customs are still alive.

(2) The statue of Mazu

03: Children are asked to touch the nose of Toshidon

02: Children are given rice cakes from Toshidon

Toshidon is a religious event held on New Year’s Eve on Shimo-Koshikijima Island in the city of Satsumasendai, Kagoshima Prefecture. The Toshidon deities are said to visit on the evening of December 31, riding headless horses. Children of ages three through eight come out to meet them in order to be given large rice cakes called toshimochi.\n01: Toshidon holding a dialogue with children

Navruz is an ancient and widespread holiday in Tajikistan, and it is celebrated on the vernal equinox, the beginning of the solar year and the new year according to the Iranian calendar, as well as calendars of several other nationalities. Navruz traditionally celebrates the awakening of nature and the beginning of agricultural work.