Lhoba Ethnic Minority
( 2005-10-27 )

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.