Tibet

Tibet is a region in the southwestern part of China, covering much of the Tibetan Plateau. It is the homeland of the Tibetans and is the highest region on Earth, with an average elevation of 4,380 metres. The region lies within the Himalayas, where the highest point on Earth, Mount Everest, stands at 8,848 metres tall.

In history, Tibet was once part of a large empire that stretched from the Tarim Basin to Yunnan and Bengal. Today, China governs Tibet as the Tibet Autonomous Region. The main religion in Tibet is Tibetan Buddhism, which greatly influences the art, music, and festivals of the area.

Tibetan food includes roasted barley, yak meat, and a special drink called butter tea. In recent years, tourism has grown a lot, with millions of visitors coming to see the beautiful landscapes and learn about Tibetan culture.

Names and etymologies

Main article: Etymology of Tibet

The local name for Tibet is Bod or Bö. Some experts think this name comes from an old language called Sanskrit. The word "Tibet" in English was first used around the year 1827 and might have come from Arabic, Mongolic, or Turkic languages. An old Chinese name for the area is 吐蕃, and the words 西藏 (xizang) or 藏 (zang) started being used around the 1500s or 1600s.

Language

Main article: Standard Tibetan

The Tibetan language is part of a big group of languages called Tibeto-Burman, which belongs to the Sino-Tibetan family. It is most similar to Burmese and is spoken in many places including the Tibetan Plateau, Bhutan, Nepal, and parts of northern India. There are many different dialects, and some people think certain related languages are separate from Tibetan.

Even though spoken Tibetan can change a lot depending on where you are, the written language stays the same everywhere. Tibetan uses its own special writing system that came from an ancient Indian script. There are also sign languages used by people who are deaf in Tibet.

History

Main article: History of Tibet

Further information: History of European exploration in Tibet and Foreign relations of Tibet

Early history

Main articles: Neolithic Tibet, Zhangzhung, and Pre-Imperial Tibet

Humans lived on the Tibetan Plateau as far back as 21,000 years ago. Around 3,000 years ago, new people from northern China arrived and became the main population, though some of the older people stayed too.

The Tibetans have stories about an early people called Zhang Zhung, who lived in what is now western Tibet. They brought a religion called Bön. Later, a new kingdom grew in the Yarlung valley. One of its kings tried to end Zhang Zhung’s influence but was killed. Zhang Zhung stayed strong until a later king, Songtsen Gampo, took control in the 7th century.

Tibetan Empire

In the 6th century, a Tibetan king began taking over nearby tribes. His son, Songtsen Gampo, continued this and also took control of several lands around Tibet, including parts of China and India. He married two important women, one from Nepal and one from China, which helped spread Buddhism in Tibet.

Tibetan power grew, and at one point, it reached from Afghanistan to Bangladesh. But problems inside the empire led to its breakup in the 9th century.

Yuan dynasty

The Mongol Yuan dynasty ruled Tibet through a special office. They chose a leader for Tibet, often a Buddhist monk, but the real power stayed with the Mongols. This arrangement continued until the Ming dynasty overthrew the Yuan.

Phagmodrupa, Rinpungpa and Tsangpa dynasties

Main articles: Phagmodrupa dynasty, Rinpungpa, and Tsangpa

Further information: Ming–Tibet relations

New leaders took control of Tibet after the Mongol rule ended. Different families and groups fought for power over the next few hundred years.

Rise of Ganden Phodrang and Buddhist Gelug school

Main article: Ganden Phodrang

In the late 1500s, a Mongol leader gave a special title to a Tibetan Buddhist monk, calling him the Dalai Lama. Later, a Dalai Lama named the 5th Dalai Lama brought unity to Tibet under his leadership, with help from a Mongol ally.

Qing dynasty

The Qing dynasty from China took control of Tibet in the early 1700s. They sent officials called Ambans to watch over the region. Though Tibet kept some self-rule, the Qing had the final say.

Post-Qing period

After the Qing dynasty fell in 1912, Tibet declared itself independent, though China still claimed it as part of their country. For many years, Tibet managed its own affairs, but China kept trying to control it.

Since 1950

Main article: History of Tibet (1950–present)

In 1950, China took control of Tibet. Many Tibetans did not agree to this, and in 1959, a big uprising happened. The Dalai Lama fled to India. Since then, Tibet has been a special area within China, called the Tibet Autonomous Region, but many Tibetans still wish for independence.

Geography

Main article: Geography of Tibet

Tibet is part of East Asia and has some of the world's tallest mountains. Mount Everest, located on the border with Nepal, is the highest mountain on Earth. Many important rivers, such as the Yangtze, Yellow River, Indus River, Mekong, Ganges, Salween, and Yarlung Tsangpo River (Brahmaputra River), begin in the Tibetan Plateau. The Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon is one of the deepest and longest canyons in the world.

Tibet also has many high-altitude lakes, such as Qinghai Lake, Lake Manasarovar, and Yamdrok Lake. The climate is very dry, with little snow most of the year. The region has many different animals, including black bears, red pandas, Tibetan antelopes, gazelles, and over 500 kinds of birds.

Cultural Tibet includes areas such as Amdo in the northeast and Kham in the southeast. Lhasa is the traditional capital and home to important historical sites like the Potala Palace. Other notable towns include Shigatse, Gyantse, and Qamdo.

Economy

Main article: Economy of Tibet

The economy of Tibet mainly relies on farming and raising animals like sheep, cattle, goats, camels, yaks, dzo, and horses because there isn't much land to grow crops. Important crops include barley, wheat, buckwheat, rye, potatoes, and various fruits and vegetables.

Tourism has grown in recent years, bringing in money through the sale of handmade items such as hats, jewelry, wooden products, clothing, quilts, fabrics, Tibetan rugs, and carpets. The government helps Tibet by not collecting taxes and providing most of the money needed for public services. However, much of this money goes to workers who come from other places and send their earnings home.

A special type of fungus called Ophiocordyceps sinensis contributes a lot of money to Tibet's economy.

The Qingzang railway connecting Tibet Autonomous Region to Qinghai Province opened in 2006. In 2007, China found a large deposit of valuable minerals under the Tibetan Plateau, which could help the country use fewer minerals from other countries. However, some people worry this could harm the environment and culture.

In 2009, China began building Tibet's first expressway, the Lhasa Airport Expressway. In 2010, leaders in China made plans to help improve life for people in Tibet and nearby areas.

Development zone

The State Council approved the Lhasa Economic and Technological Development Zone in 2001. It is located near Lhasa and has an area planned for building and development.

Demographics

See also: History of Tibet (1950–present) and Demographics of Tibet Autonomous Region

Tibet is mainly home to the Tibetan people, but many other groups live there too. These include the Mongols, Lhoba, Monpa, Qiang, Sherpa, and, more recently, Han and Hui people.

The size of each group in Tibet is sometimes debated. Some say many new people have moved to Tibet, while others say most people there are still Tibetan. According to a big count in 2010, about 90% of the three million people in Tibet are Tibetan.

Culture

Religion

Main article: Religion in Tibet

Buddhism

Religion is very important to the Tibetan people and affects many parts of their daily lives. The ancient Tibetan religion called Bön exists, but most Tibetans follow Tibetan Buddhism. This special kind of Buddhism comes from India and is practiced in Tibet, Mongolia, parts of northern India, the Buryat Republic, the Tuva Republic, the Republic of Kalmykia, and some other parts of China. During a difficult time in China’s history, many Tibetan monasteries were damaged, but some have been rebuilt since the 1980s. Monks returned to these places, and they can now teach and learn again, though there are limits on how many monks there can be. Before the 1950s, between 10 and 20% of men in Tibet were monks.

Tibetan Buddhism has five main traditions:

• Gelug(pa), Way of Virtue, also known as Yellow Hat, whose spiritual head is the Ganden Tripa and whose temporal head is the Dalai Lama. The Dalai Lama belongs to the Gelugpa school.
• Kagyu(pa), Oral Lineage.
• Nyingma(pa), The Ancient Ones.
• Sakya(pa), Grey Earth, headed by the Sakya Trizin.
• Jonang(pa)

Christianity

See also: Catholic Church in Tibet

The first Christians to reach Tibet were from a group called the Nestorians. Later, Roman Catholic priests from Europe arrived in the 1600s and 1700s. Some Tibetans became Christians, but in 1745, all missionaries were asked to leave. In the late 1800s, a Protestant named James Cameron brought Christianity to some areas. Today, some Christians live in Tibet, though sharing one’s religion freely has been restricted since 1949.

Islam

Main article: Islam in Tibet

Muslims have lived in Tibet since at least the 800s. In Tibetan cities, there are small groups of Muslims whose ancestors came from places like Kashmir, Ladakh, and Central Asia. There are also Muslims from Chinese ethnic groups like the Hui.

Tibetan art

Tibetan art is closely connected to Tibetan Buddhism. Artists create statues, paintings called thangkas, and other beautiful works that show Buddhist ideas and gods. Thangkas are special paintings made on cloth that tell stories about Buddhism.

Architecture

Main article: Tibetan culture § Architecture

Tibetan buildings look different from others because of the cold climate and earthquakes. Many homes and monasteries are built on high, sunny spots. They use rocks, wood, cement, and earth to build. The most famous building is the Potala Palace, which was the home of the Dalai Lama. It has many rooms, statues, and important books about Buddhism.

Music

Main article: Music of Tibet

Tibetan music is mainly used in religious events. Monks sing special songs called chants, often in a language called Sanskrit. There are also different kinds of music for celebrations and ceremonies. Some popular songs are called nangma and are enjoyed in cities like Lhasa. There are also stories sung about a hero named Gesar.

Festivals

Tibet has many festivals, especially ones to honor the Buddha. The biggest festival is Losar, the Tibetan New Year. Families prepare special foods like Guthuk (barley noodle soup) and decorate their homes. Another important festival is the Monlam Prayer Festival, where people dance, play sports, and share meals together.

Cuisine

See also: List of Tibetan dishes

The most important food in Tibet is made from barley. Barley flour, called tsampa, is used to make noodles or dumplings called momos. People also eat meat from animals like yak, goat, or sheep, often cooked in a spicy stew with potatoes. Another popular drink is butter tea, made from butter, tea, and milk.

Sports

See also: Traditional games of Tibet