| Holidays and Observances: |
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| 1: Army Day (78th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People' s Liberation Army, 1/2 day off for those on active duty). |
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| 5: New Year Festival of Tujia ethnic minority. On the 1st day of the 7th lunar month, families prepare delicious food and invite their relatives and friends for a gathering. |
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| 6–12: Bathing Festival, held for seven days during the first half of the 7th month of the Tibetan calendar. Baths are taken in rivers or lakes to wash away evil. |
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| 11: Double Seventh Festival, a traditional festival of romance on the 7th day of the 7th lunar month. Legend has it that the star-crossed Cowherd and the Weaving Girl meet on that evening every year in Heaven. |
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| Shoton Festival, also the Tibetan Theater Festival, a five-day religious celebration starting on the 30th day of the 6th month on the Tibetan calendar. "Shoton" is Tibetan for "yogurt banquet." Traditionally, on the 30th day the laity make offerings of yogurt to the monks. During the festival, theater troupes gather in Norbulingka (the summer palace of the Dalai Lamas) to give performances and hold competitions. |
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| Nadam Fair, held during the 7th lunar month, is the grandest festival of the Mongolians. Activities include wrestling, horseracing and archery competitions, as well as trading of goods. |
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