Geography and Language of Moinba (门巴族)
Scattered around the southern part of the Tibet Autonomous Region are the Moinba people, who have formed close cultural, political and economic links with the Tibetan people; they share the Tibetans’ belief in Lamaism and their lifestyles are similar also. Many can speak Tibetan and their own language belongs to the Tibetan-Burmese family of languages.
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Population: 7,500
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Distribution: Tibet
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Language: Moinba
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Religion: Lamaism
Traditions of Moinba (门巴族)
The Moinba make porridge from maize and millet, and they also eat zhamba and pepper and drink butter tea like the Tibetans. Their herringbone-shaped houses are made of wood and have roofs of straw or bamboo. Animals live on the ground floor and the families live on the one or two floors above. Marriages are monogamous and, while some Moinba believe in Lamaism, others follow the more primitive shamanism. Their funeral rites are various and they use cremation, water burial and ground burial, as well as the mysterious sky burial.
Culture of Moinba (门巴族)
The Moinba follow the Tibetan calendar, share the same festivals and have a long tradition of ballads and tunes.
History of Moinba (门巴族)
Tibetans have established rule over the Menyu area for many centuries and in the 17th century, the fifth Dalai Lama united Tibet. Manorial lords owned large areas of land and the Moinba people were subservient to them. The slash-and-burn method of farming was prevalent and game was bartered in exchange for grain and other daily essentials. In certain clans and villages, the last remains of this social system can still be found.
Modern Times of Moinba (门巴族)
Since 1951, many of the old ways of life have been abandoned and electricity has been introduced into Moinba houses. Roads and suspension bridges have been built and many schools have been established for the education of both children and adults.
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