Habitat

The Moinba nationality has a population of 7,400, mainly distributed over the Monyu and Metog area in southeastern Tibet Autonomous Region. Hidden in the high mountain ridges of the Himalayas are many "Havens of Peace" hardly known to the world. Monyu, the homeland of the Moinba nationality, is the most beautiful and richly endowed place of them all.

Monyu is located at the southern foot of the Himalayas. It is high in the north and low in the south, falling from 4,000 meters above sea level to 1,000 meters. The snowa2covered northern mountains form a natural barrier blocking the humid airflow of the Indian Ocean within the valley. Thus, the area has sufficient rainfall, and is neither too hot in summer nor too cold in winter.

Because the Moinbas share a close relationship with the Tibetans, they gradually moved south to the Monyu area. "Moinba" meaning "people living in Monyu" is what the Tibetans call them. Some of the Moinbas there moved east to today's Metog area and have settled down on both sides of the Yaluzangbu River, creating another residential center of the Moinba nationality.