Untitled - Life and Culture on the Tibetan Plateau

the hair lustrous is made by soaking rapeseed in water for
about two days, which produces a dense brown liquid called
zar chu.
The girl's hair is dressed by a woman from a family that
is not from the girl's own household, for example, her
father's sister-in-law who lives in the same village. The
hairdresser must be invited by an adult who lives with the
girl while inviting other relatives. The hairdresser must come
to the girl's home on the day before the ceremony. She may
ask other village women for assistance if she is not skilled at
hairdressing.
GUESTS
Maternal Relatives
Male maternal relatives are the most important guests, <strong>and</strong>
are collectively called A zhang. One of the mother's brothers
is the A zhang zhang bo, the most respected <strong>and</strong> deferred to
person at the party. His gift to the girl is of much greater
value than that of all other guests. He is offered the head seat
of the middle double row of seating, which is the most
important row of seating. The most central double row of
seating is for the A zhang, who are offered food, liquor, <strong>and</strong>
cigarettes first; the A zhang zhang bo is offered first among
the A zhang. A zhang also present their gifts first, <strong>and</strong> the A
zhang zhang bo is the first among them.
The A zhang gather at the A zhang zhang bo's home
about three hours prior to departure for the party, drink to
become a bit intoxicated, dress in Tibetan robes, <strong>and</strong> put on
ornaments. They come to the party as a group.
Paternal Relatives
Paternal relatives are the second-most important guests.
Paternal relatives are 'grul ba (guests). The closest relatives
are the most important 'grul ba. There is no special seat for
any of the 'grul ba, who sit on the left of the A zhang's row
of seating. 'grul ba come to the party individually.
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