Lhoba Ethnic Minority

The Lhobas mainly inhabit the Lhoyu area in the southeastern part of Southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, with the population numbering 2,965 by the year 2000. They have their own language, which belongs to the Tibet-Burman group, but with dialects that vary greatly from tribe to tribe. They don't have a written form. Some people can speak and write in Tibetan. Their main occupation is farming, complemented by hunting and gathering. They traditionally believe in primitive religion and TibetanBuddhism.

Lhoba is what Tibetans call the people living in Lhoyu. It means "southerners" and includes many different tribes such as the Bogaer,Ningbo, Adi, and Tajin.

Lhoyu, a fabulous land of 70,000 square kilometers, is the ancient home of the Lhobas. It is located at the southern foot of the Himalayas' eastern end. The Lhobas living in the rural district of Nayu, Milin County, along the northern slope of the Himalayas belong to the Bogaer tribe. They moved from Manigan district dozens of years ago, and still lead a traditional life there.

The Bogaer usually live in blockhouses made of stone and wood, solid, durable, and protective. They often paint various auspicious patterns on their doors and walls in the house. Animal heads hanging on the walls are not only a symbol of wealth but also a display of their hunting skill.

The Bogaer have always lived on corn and Jizhua rice, most often roasted. However, they are presently accustomed to the Tibetan diet: eating Zamba made of highland barley and drinking butter tea.

In Nayu, the Lhobas' clothing style is particularly practical. They make their clothes mainly from plant fabric and animal skin.

Men usually wear a black vest called Namu over homemade sheepskin coats or long Tibetan pulu robes. They wear a brimmed bearskin hat that is reputably capable of confusing fowls when the men go hunting. The brim is wrapped with a ring of bear fur, and hanging at the back is a patch of bearskin with eyeholes.

The women like to wear little collarless short-sleeved garments woven with flax together with close-fitting knee-length skirts and ankle leggings.

Both men and women like to wear ornaments. They grind a bluish stone into beads, and hang them around their necks. Every adult has several strings of the beads. Some people wear dozens of strings on festivals.

In the past, due to the scarcity of farmland and relatively low levels of production skills, their agricultural harvest was too meager to meet their yearly needs. Consequently, hunting became an important part of their economic activities. During the off seasons, groups of Lhoba men often went hunting in the mountains. As a result, yhey have learned many ways to trap and fowl, and use poisoned arrows to deal with big fierce animals they encounter.

The Lhobas have created a rich oral tradition, perhaps because they do not have a written language, or perhaps because the magical Himalayas have given them unending artistic inspiration. An ancient ode -- Creation of the World --, so desolate and forceful, has been passed on from generation to generation. Various touching love songs are always the best way for young men and women to express their love, while the lively and melodious flute tunes seem to present an eternal eulogy to their beautiful homeland.

Low production levels and contingency in hunting make the Lhobas highly dependent on nature. In their religious belief in which nature is worshipped, the sky, mountains, water, trees, wind, rain, and thunder are all endowed with human intelligence, communicating with humans through wizards and witches. For thousands of years, the Lhobas have gained food and fortune from nature, which they pay homage to through pious worship. In a way, they have identified their spiritual belief with the high mountains and deep valleys of the Himalayas.

Nowadays, in Lhoba villages within the depth of the mountains, many beautiful government-funded houses dot the scene. Village schools have also been constructed to promote the people's educational levels. A brighter future is unfolding before every Lhoba's eyes.