It is almost Tibetan #Losar, and the last two days of the old year are called Gutor, when people begin to prepare for the new year. This period is the last chance for observers to clear obstacles before Losar. It is also a time to clean and prepare the house for the approaching new year celebrations. An integral part of Gutor celebrations are the cham dances performed by costumed and masked monks in their monastery courtyards. The Tibetan Buddhist cham dance is traditionally performed mostly by monks to observe religious holidays and auspicious events. Being in the audience of cham dance is believed to remove negative energy, bring forth blessings, balance shifting spiritual energies, and increase harmony and peace for all living beings. Explore more about cham dances in our #SpiralMagazine article, "Cham Dances: Ritual, Spectacle, and Beauty," written for the Rubin's 2015 exhibition "Becoming Another: The Power of Masks.” at the 🔗 in bio! _____ Dance Mask, Bhairava, Mongolia; 20...