Tibetans share their region with Menpa, Luopa, Han Chinese, Hui, Sherpa, and a few Deng people. Tibetans are the main inhabitants on the plateau. Tibetans are optimistic and happy people.Traditionally, farmers settled in small villages with barley as their main crop. The roaming nomads earned their living by herding yaks and sheep. Most Tibetans in cities made a living as craftsmen. However, nowadays more and more people are migrating into businesses.
The Tibetan language belongs to the Sino-Tibetan phylum. People in U, Tsang, Kham, and Chamdo speak different dialects.
Most Tibetans are devout Buddhists while a few believe in the old Bon. Islam and Catholicism also have a few followers in Lhasa and Yanjing respectively. Since China's Family Planning program is not carried out among Tibetan people, the Tibetan population keeps growing. According to the census conducted in 2000, there are 2,616,300 people in Tibet, with Tibetans totaling 2,411,100 or 92.2% of the current regional population. The census also revealed that the Tibetan's average lifespan has increased to 68 due to the improving standard of living and access to medical services. Illiteracy has decreased to 850,700.
Travelers' Voices on Tibetan People
1.
Dec. 20,2008 04:26 Reply
Mr.a(a) said:
give me the people photraph in traditinal way
2.
Dec. 2,2008 02:44 Reply
Ms.Liz(Swiss) said:
Are the locals easy-going with foreign travelers? I read some travelogs that the local children, especially in the remote area, often ask for gifts from travelers. Is that true?
Dec. 10,2008 10:45
Mrs.johnson(britain) replied:
yes they do, trust me i know.