Ethnic Group in Tibet – Monpa People

Monpa people tribes mainly distributed in Medog County, Nyingchi Prefecture. With long history and profound culture, Monpa people have their own language though they didn't create their own character. Be different from most Tibetans living in the other areas in Tibet, Monpa people has their own religion culture – they mainly believe in Bon and Lama Sect. Monpa people have their own folklores, among which the folk song is most noted. Monpa people mainly make their living on farming. Stock farming and hunting are also important parts of their life. Tourists making a Tibet tour to the Monpa tribes would find that Monpa people are not only good at weaving the bamboo and rattan articles, but also are good at manufacturing various wooden bowls. There are close relationships between the politics, economy, culture and living habits of Monpa people and Tibetans for they've been living together since ancient times.

Ethnic Group in Tibet – Living Environment of Monpa People

Monpa people mainly inhabit in the Menyu Area at the southern foot of Himalayas. Menyu Area enjoys higher altitude in the north and lower altitude in the south. It is measured that the higher region here is about 3600 meters above the sea level while the lower region here only enjoys an elevation around 100 meters. The ridges and peaks here rise one after another and all the mountains here are covered with dense primitive forests.

Located at the fertile river valley basin, the inhabitation of Monpa people enjoys a moderate climate with abundant rainfall. The rice, corn, buckwheat, barley, soybean, cotton and sesame are the main crops cultivated by Monpa people while the banana, orange, shaddock, peach, pear and apple are their main fruits. According to historical record, the ancestors of Monpa people have settled at the mountain areas in southern Tibet since ancient times for the local environment is quite suitable for human beings to live in.

Ethnic Group in Tibet – Festival Culture of Monpa People

There are two kinds of festivals in the Monpa people tribes – the religious festivals and the seasonal festivals. Quke Festival, Saga Dawa Festival, Zhuba Prayer Meeting and Dawang Prayer Meeting are the main religious festivals while the New Year is the most important seasonal festival. Just as Tibetans living in Lhasa and Shigatse areas, Monpa people take the Tibetan New Year as their most solemn festival. In addition, the annual Wangkor Festival in July according to the Tibetan calendar is also an important festival for Monpa people.

The annual Quke Festival of Monpa people would be celebrated in June before the harvest. People in the tribe would get together to hold a solemn worshipping ceremony. Murmur the religious sutra and hang on the prayer flags under the guide of the lamas are important parts of Quke Festival. Local people would also hold certain ceremonies to pray for good harvest.

Generally, the prayer meetings would be celebrated in November according to the Tibetan calendar. The celebration would last at least 3 days. Chanting the Buddhism sutras, play the religious operas, perform the traditional wild yak dance are the main programs of the prayer meetings.