Kasai: the heart of Tibetan Losar festivities

For Tibetan people in the Xizang autonomous region, making and trading kasai was a crucial part of the preparations for the recent Tibetan Losar New Year, which fell on Feb 28.

The Tibetan term kasai refers to fried pastries, which are made of flour, yak butter, rapeseed oil, milk powder and sugar. Tibetan families serve these handmade pastries to entertain guests during holiday gatherings.

The year of 2025 marks the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Xizang autonomous region. The region has seen breathtaking changes over the past six decades, which are reflected in how locals prepare for New Year celebrations. Decades ago, these pastries had limited varieties, which have since become numerous.