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TIPA begins their program with Via bo Shana , "The Black Hat Dance".

To hear this segment, click on the white conch horn, one of the 'eight auspicious symbols' of Tibetan Buddhism (5:14).

the conch horn symbolizes the sound of Dharma

This is the tale of sorcerers, who through their knowledge and practice of cantrip destroy the powers of evil. This series is symbolic and is associated with the assassination of the evil King Lampama by Halipeligoli in the seventh century A.D.

Halipeligoli was believed to have similar costumes with broad sleeves from which he drew a bow and arrow and shot Lampama when the King was reading an announcement from the stone column. The dancers carry in their hands a sacred demon figure to destroy the forces of evil and also a human skull to offer libations to the Bundisides.

more photos of Shana

Expo96 / Tibet