Custom and Festival

Traditionally, in common with other areas of Tibet, society was organised on a noble/slave basis, and women had particularly low status.

They are a hospitable people, and they have an unusual habit of serving guests wine. When guests arrive they offer them wine. The host takes the first sip of wine-a custom that originated from their tradition of showing that the wine was not poisonous. Guests must eat everything set before them lest they seem impolite. They must also share the game from the hunt as if they belonged to the family. It is believed this is a remnant from a widespread tradition in the area of proving that wine was not poisoned.

When the Lhoba hunt, it is a communal effort and they share the game equally. They use a bow and arrows that are poisonous. The value placed on the bow and arrow is so high, that to congratulate someone on the birth of a child, a bow and arrow is given. Boys begin learning to shoot at age seven or eight.

Since the foundation of the Peoples Republic, a script has been developed for the Lhoba language which is based on the Tibetan alphabet. Because of their location far from the sea, the Lhoba are prone to goitre, a disease of the thyroid gland caused through a lack of dietary iodine.

The Xudulong Festival, a harvest festival, is celebrated by dressing up, dancing, listening to a sorcerer lecture and feasting off dried or broiled meat, cheese and buckwheat cakes. During the singing and dancing, the Lhoba pray for the next harvest to be a good one.