From a program by the Monks of the Tashi Kyil Monastery at Beacon Heights Church on Sept. 22, 2013
The Tibetan yak are native to the Himalayan Mountains of Nepal, India and Tibet. They were domesticated in Tibet nearly 5,000 years ago. Highly adaptable to a variety of habitats, they can survive in rocky, alpine terrain with meadows for grazing. They are intelligent and fairly easy to train. Yak are capable of climbing to altitudes of 20,000 feet and can carry a 220 pound load up terrain too rugged for horses. The yak is an important source of meat, milk, fiber, hide, butter, transportation and dung for fuel. Yak are also important in Tibetan mythology as representations of the Protector Deities. This unique animal is symbolic of the Tibetan spirit of rugged strength and playfulness.Here in this dance, it shows the peaceful co-existence of human beings with the animal kingdom. We pay homage to the yak.
