How do Tibetan villagers in Gansu mark the beginning of spring planting?

In Gansu, sedentary Tibetan villagers mark the beginning of spring planting through a coordinated community effort. Once the specific date for the start of planting is determined by a horoscope, the villagers dress in their finest clothing and head to the fields. To ensure simultaneous group action, the fields are plowed and the seeds are sown at the same time across the village. Throughout the subsequent growing season, the villagers also periodically parade through their fields while carrying holy books on their heads.1