Ethnic Groups in Tibet - Lhoba People

Lhoba ethnic group enjoys the least population among all the ethnic groups in China. There are only about 3000 persons living in the main settlement in Nyingchi and Shannan in Tibet. The Lhoba villages distributed in Zay, Milin, Medog, Longzi, Langxian and few other regions in the remote area in Nyingchi. These regions enjoy a semi-humid and semi-arid climate. The temperature in the warmest month is between13-15 Celsius. In addition, there is always abundant rainfall in these regions every year.

Most of the Lhoba people live in the high mountain and deep valley areas at the big turn of Yarlung Zangbo River. These regions are characterized by high mountains, dense forests and poor transportation condition. It is recorded that the Lhoba ethnic group is still in the last phase of the primitive society in the middle 20th century. The slash-and-burn cultivation and the hunting traditions are still carrying on as before.

Lhoba people have their own language which belongs to the Tibeto-Burman language. There is obvious difference between the languages of different Lhoba tribes. Only a few people in Lhoba tribute know Tibetan language. Lhoba people don't have their own characters and they are still using the primitive ways (such as engraving) to represent the number and record the events.

Ethnic Groups in Tibet – Dietary Habit of Lhoba People

Tourists making a Tibet tour to the Lhoba tribes will find that all the Lhoba guys are equipped with a steel which would be used in cooking a meal in the wild or smoking. Barbecue is the most common cooking pattern in Lhoba tribes. Both the vegetables and meat could be grilled for eating. Collecting and hunting are the main sources of food for Lhoba people. Lhoba people have explored their own effective ways to catching the eatable animals in the passed long history. Tourists pay a visit to the Lhoba tribe will find that the local people are very hospitable and they would always use their best food and beverage to entertain their guests.

Ethnic Groups in Tibet – Festival Customs of Lhoba People

Except the small number of Lhoba people living in Medog County and Milin County would celebrate the Tibetan New Year with Tibetans in other regions, most of the Lhoba people licing in different tribes have their own solemn festival. Generally, the important festivals would be celebrated in the slack season in winter. The Lhoba people would always prepare rich food for the festivals. Traditional songs and dances also play important role in the entertainment part of the festivals.

Ethnic Groups in Tibet – Religion Culture of Lhoba People

The traditional production mode and life-style of Lhoba people cultivated their primitive religion. Actually, there are differences in the religion culture of different Lhoba tribes for they are living in different regions. Lhoba people have deep worship in the nature and totem. The sun, moon, stars, wind, mountains and forests are all worship objects for Lhoba people in Tibet. In addition, Lhoba people also admires the totem of tiger, leopard, wild ox, otter, eagle, dove, knife and so on.