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Tibet
Tibet conjures up images of high mountains, devout pilgrims, chanting monks and mystery. Tibet is considered one of the most intriguing places in the world because of its political struggle with The People’s Republic of China, its remote and rugged beauty and the fact that it’s the center for Tibetan Buddhism’s religious and cultural life. Tibet refers to an area located in southern central Asia known as the Tibetan Plateau, at an average elevation of 4,900m (16,000ft) the region is known as the “Roof of the World.” China has drawn political boundaries and created the Tibet Autonomous Region TAR but Tibet culturally encompasses the areas of Amdo, Kham and Ǜ-Tsang, which are parts of China’s Qinghai, Gansu, Sichuan and Yunnan provinces. The capital of Tibet is Lhasa, home to the Dalai Lamas’ former residences the Potala and Norbulingka Palaces as well as many important Buddhist monasteries.
Information on Tibet
Tibet conjures up images of high mountains, devout pilgrims, chanting monks and mystery. Tibet is considered one of the most intriguing places in the world because of its political struggle with The People’s Republic of China, its remote and rugged beauty and the fact that it’s the center for Tibetan Buddhism’s religious and cultural life. Tibet refers to an area located in southern central Asia known as the Tibetan Plateau, at an average elevation of 4,900m (16,000ft) the region is known as the “Roof of the World.” China has drawn political boundaries and created the Tibet Autonomous Region TAR but Tibet culturally encompasses the areas of Amdo, Kham and Ǜ-Tsang, which are parts of China’s Qinghai, Gansu, Sichuan and Yunnan provinces. The capital of Tibet is Lhasa, home to the Dalai Lamas’ former residences the Potala and Norbulingka Palaces as well as many important Buddhist monasteries.
People
The number of Tibetans in the TAR is currently about 2.5 million according to Chinese authorities. There are numerous Tibetans in exile all around the world and many ethnic Tibetans live in culturally Tibetan areas in China as well as Bhutan, Nepal, and Northern India. The Tibetan Government in Exile is located in Dharamsala, India and is headed by the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso. While the majority of people in Tibet are Tibetan there are significant numbers of other varied cultural groups including Muslims, Han Chinese and others.
Family
Tibetan families are generally nuclear families and follow a patriarchal lineage. Traditionally marriages were arranged by parents but in modern society dating and the self selection of a partner are widely accepted. Most Tibetan marriages are monogamous and involve one man and one woman but it is not uncommon for Tibetans to practice polygamy, one husband and multiple wives and polyandry, one wife married to a set of brothers. Many Tibetan families are nomadic, since there is little cultivatable land in high altitude Tibet; many rely on their yaks, goats, sheep and horses for livelihood and cycle through the year to graze the animals. Women generally take care of domestic responsibilities such as cooking, cleaning and child rearing while men tend to the animals. Tibetans daily lives are deeply intertwined with religious rituals and their faith highly defines their culture.
Religion
The center of Tibetan life and culture is their religious beliefs, practices and rituals. Daily rituals include making offerings of seven bowls of water in their homes, reciting mantras and prayers, giving food or other offerings to monasteries or nunneries, prostrating to holy sites, spinning prayer wheels and circumambulating holy sites. Prayer flags with holy script and auspicious signs are hung wherever Tibetan influence is found to bring positive karma to the surroundings.
Food
Since barley is the staple food in Tibet, rolls of barley flour called Tsamba are consumed daily with many cups of Butter Tea. Tibetans consume the meat of yak, goat and sheep, which are often dried to be eaten later. Cheese and milk from yaks and goats are also eaten regularly. Due to the elevation of Tibet few fruits and vegetables can grow in the harsh conditions and boiling water at such a high elevation is difficult. The high protein diet, large consumption of tea and chang, barley beer is ideal for Tibetans keeping them nourished and warm.
Geography and Climate
Tibet is the world’s highest region and home to the world’s highest and youngest mountain range, the Himalaya. Average elevation is 4900m or 16,000ft and many of the world’s highest peaks are in Tibet. Tibet is bordered by China, India, Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh. Tibet is home to make rivers and lakes, lakes include Lake Manasarovar, Yamdok Lake and Lake Rakshstal and rivers include the Yangtze, Yellow River, Mekong River and the Ganges River. The majority of Tibet is very arid and dry with little vegetation. Northern Tibet gets very hot in the summer and very cold in the winter. Tibet has many sunny days and blue skies. The weather in Tibet is highly changeable and conditions can be harsh in both the summer and the winter.
Art, Architecture Music
Tibetan art and music tends to have religious overtones. Traditional Tibetan Thangka paintings depict religious scenes and are painted on colorful silk brocades. Tibetan wood cravings, buildings, monasteries, chortens, and gompas are all works of art in themselves and contain many symbols and designs central to Buddhist philosophy. Tibetan architecture is distinct and designed for Tibet’s harsh climate. Built from stone, wood and earth Tibetan homes have large windows to let in light and flat roofs to conserve heat. Tibetan monasteries and homes are generally painted white with colorful trim and face south. Tibetan music ranges from chants to rock. Modern Tibetan music has pop and hip hop overtones while traditional Tibetan music uses bells and handcrafted wooden instruments.
Tibetan Dress
Tibetan dress varies according to religious and cultural groups and is well crafted, warm and beautiful. In northern Tibet a fur lined robe is worn. The long robe is made from thick wool or yak hide, has very long sleeves and generally worn with the right shoulder exposed and the sleeve tucked into the belt of the coat. This leaves room to carry goods, food children and whatever is necessary. Married Tibetan women wear a long skirt covered by a colorful apron and lots of chunky elaborate jewelry made from turquoise, gold, silver, copper and metal. Most Tibetans wear leather wide brimmed hats to protect themselves from the sun. Both Tibetan men and women like to be heavily ornamented. |
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