Tibetans
The Tibetans has a population of 5,416,021 throughout the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and mostly live in the Tibet Autonomous Region.
The Tibetan language belongs to the Tibetan sub-branch of the Tibetan-Myanmese language branch of the Chinese-Tibetan language family. There are three major dialects: Weizang, Kang, and Amdo. The Tibetan script was created in the early 7th century.
Watch an excited group of Tibetan women. (large file)
The Tibetans use the lunar calendar to celebrate their festivals. Typically, festivals feature Tibetan dramas and yak races. A traditional ceremony is the dedication of Hada, a long towel made of white silk that is used by Tibetans to make a wish or to dedicate good wishes to friends during various occasions.
The Tibetan staple food and drinks are Zanba, buttered yak tea and Qingke wine. Zanba is prepared by mixing roasted barley flour with buttered tea and barley wine into small balls. Buttered tea is prepared by mixing yak butter with strong tea.
Most Tibetans believe in Tibetan Buddhism. The Mahayana School of Buddhism was introduced into Tibet in the seventh century and continue to be the guiding religion of the Tibetans. The Yellow Sect is the sect followed by most Tibetans in China. The sect believes in the reincarnation of living Buddhas.
The living buddha has great impact on the everyday life of the Tibetans. For example, the Living Buddha decides the name of each Tibetan child born. He also decides when to set the date for a wedding, as well as decide the method of burial for each death. The Tibetans practice sky burial, river burial, and cremation.
Tibetans wear long sleeves, loose waist and front, and they like to wear ornaments. Fabric in farming areas are typically made of woolen materials. Long sleeved silk or cloth jackets are worn inside ornaments. Women wear aprons called "Bangdian" in farming areas and "Bazhu", a triangle or arched headwear on top of their head. Ornaments usually include belt on the waist with Tibetan knives. Women often plait their hairs and decorate them with corals or shells.
The typical Tibetan house is very large and flat-roofed. It has walls made of pounded earth and supported by a large wooden pillar. There are often three floors to the house. The first floor for the animals, the second floor for living, and the third floor for storage.
Copyrighted 2006. Amihan Makayan. Images, videos, and audio maybe used by permission only.