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Small group with big culture
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THE Lhoba ethnic group has dwelled in the mountains of Tibet for thousands of years. They are China’s smallest ethnic group with only 3,682 people. Nevertheless, they are known for their rich traditional culture based on legends, tales, folk songs and long-followed customs. They mainly live in the Luoyu area of southeastern Tibet although pockets can be found in Lhasa and Shannan Prefecture.
Luoyu is in the mountains and the area has many river valleys. Plenty of rain has led to fertile land. The Lhoba people like to say, “the four seasons can be observed on one mountain, yet the weather is different every 10 miles.”
It is widely recognized that the Moinba and Tibetan ethnic groups are the ancestors of the Lhoba. However, since the Lhoba people don’t have their own written language and there is limited information about them in Tibetan and Han historical documents, their history remains somewhat elusive.
According to a study of Lhoba legends, folktales, Tibetan records and recent archeological discoveries, some experts have suggested they came from the amalgamation of ancient tribes in Luoyu and eastern Tibet.
The Lhoba people did not have a unified name before the 1960s. They were usually addressed by their tribe names like “Bogar” or “Jianbo.” The Tibetans tended to address them as “Lhoba,” which means “the southerners.” In 1965, the central government chose to stick with Lhoba as their official name.
They have their own spoken language belonging to the Tibetan-Mian language group of the Sino-Tibetan language family, but no written system. In ancient times they carved wood or tied knots on strings to keep a record of events. Some could use the Tibetan written language.
Lhoba cuisine varies depending on where they live. In the north of Luoyu corn is a staple food. They also eat buckwheat pie and “daqi” pie roasted on stone boards. Potatoes and sweat potatoes are also popular.
They have much in common with the Tibetan diet, eating zanba, or roasted high-land barley flour, and drinking ghee tea. Potatoes, pumpkins and cabbages are among the major vegetables while beef, mutton, pork and chicken are common meats. Pepper is an essential seasoning in Lhoba cuisine. Both men and women are known to enjoy smoking and drinking.
Lhoba men often wear robes made of yak or goat skins. They often add a big black vest outside the robe. Their brimmed hats are often made of pressed bearskin, or bamboo vines. On the brim there is a round piece of bear pelt.
The Lhoba men tend to carry a bow and quiver when going out together. They also often take a sheathed sword.
The women wear short linen jackets, with no collar and tight sleeves. They wear tight round skirts reaching the knees.
Both men and women often go barefoot and keep their hair long.
Adornments are essential for men and women. Waist belts made of animal skin and decorated with sea shells are common adornments. In addition, silver earrings, bracelets, colorful bead necklaces, shell bracelets, copper bells and small knives are considered symbols of wealth.
Most Lhoba women will dress up for festivals or other big occasions. The Lhoba traditional dress is listed as a national intangible cultural heritage.
Singing and dancing are indispensable parts of Lhoba celebrations, banquets, weddings and sacrificial ceremonies. Different tunes are used for different occasions. Low tunes are applied at the chanting and exercising, while high tunes send soldiers off to battle.
“Jia jin” is an ancient Lhoba folk song popular in all tribes. It’s a happy song that tells the history of their people.
The Lhoba people worship ghosts, gods, ancestors and totems. They don’t distinguish gods from ghosts. All elves, spirits, ghosts and devils are known as “wuyou” in their religion. There are different kinds of omnipresent “wuyou.” Some are good while others are evil.
Xudulong Day is Lhoba New Year although the date differs in different Lhoba areas. The western part of Luoyu District celebrates it in the second month of the Tibetan calendar, while the eastern part celebrates in the 12th month.
Lhoba people prepare for the celebration by grinding rice, brewing wine and slaughtering cows and pigs. On the celebration day, villagers make sacrifices to the ghosts and gods, praying for blessings.
In some places they hang a bull skull above the door or in the room as a symbol of diligence and prosperity. Everyone dresses up and visits friends and relatives. They often share a meal to go along with singing and dancing during New Year celebrations.
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