With a population of 2,312 (by 1990), the Lhoba people have their homes mainly in Luoyu area and neighboring counties of Chayu, Motuo and Milin in southeastern Tibet. It is the ethnic minority with the smallest population in China.
Most Lhobas speak a distinctive language belonging to the Tibeto-Burman Austronesian of the Chinese-Tibetan Phylum. A few of them know the Tibetan language. Having no written script, the Lhoba people used to keep records by notching wood or tying knots.
The word Lhoba originated from the Tibetan language, meaning southerners. Generations of the Lhoba people lived at the foot of the Himalayas, with little contact with the outside due to the mountainous terrain. In the past, due to the scarcity of farmland and relatively low levels of skills, their agricultural harvest was too meager to meet their year-round needs. Consequently, hunting became an important part of their economic activities and the Lhoba men are all good hunters.
After liberation, with the help of their Han and Tibet neighbors, the Lhobas have adopted advanced, intensive farming methods. They opened up land on hills and began cultivation of new areas. Hunting, handicrafts and other sideline businesses developed at the same time.
The Lhoba people traditionally believe in primitive religion that all living creatures have souls, in addition, they also believe in Tibetan Buddhism. Besides the Tibetan calendar, they have their own calendar, and the dates of the New Year vary with localities.
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