There is some dispute over the current and historical number of Tibetans. TheCentral Tibetan Administration claims that the 5.4 million number is a decrease from 6.3 million in 1959[15] while theChinese government claims that it is an increase from 2.7 million in 1954.[16] However, the question depends on thedefinition and extent of "Tibet"; the region claimed by the CTA ismore expansive and Chinamore diminutive. Also, the Tibetan administration did not take a formalcensus of its territory in the 1950s; the numbers provided by the administration at the time were "based on informed guesswork".[17]
There are 2,716,388 people in theTibet Autonomous Region, 1,496,524 people in Sichuan Province, 1,375,059 people in Qinghai Province, 488,359 people in Gansu Province (mostly inGannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture andBairi Tibetan Autonomous County) and 142,257 people in Yunnan Province (mostly inDiqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture). Tibetans account for 0.47% of the total population of the country. Tibetans account for 90.48% of the total population in Tibet Region, 24.44% of the total population of Qinghai and 1.86% of the total population in Sichuan. Of all Tibetans in China, 315,622 people live in cities, 923,177 in towns, and 5,043,388 people (80.3%) live in rural areas.
According to theSeventh Census of 2020, there are 7,060,700 Tibetans living within China. Of the resident population of the Tibet Autonomous Region, 3,204,700 were Tibetans and other ethnic minorities, of whom 3,137,900 were Tibetans, an increase of 421,500, or 15.52%, over 2010, with an average annual growth rate of 1.45%; 66,800 were other ethnic minorities, an increase of 26,300, or 64.95%, over 2010, with an average annual growth rate of 5.13%; and 6,680 were other ethnic minorities, an increase of 26,300, or 64.95%, over 2010, with an average annual growth rate of 5.13%. The average annual growth rate was 5.13%.[19][20]
In 2011, the Indian government reported 150,000Tibetan diaspora residing in India. In 2019, the number ofTibetan diaspora in India declined to 85,000.[23]
The ethnic roots of Tibetans can be traced back to a deep Eastern Asian lineage representing the indigenous population of the Tibetan plateau since c. 40,000 to 30,000 years ago, and arriving Neolithic farmers from theYellow River within the last 10,000 years, and which can be associated with having introduced theSino-Tibetan languages.[27][28]
Genetic studies shows that many of theSherpa people haveallele frequencies which are often found in other Tibeto-Burman regions, the strongest affinity was for Tibetan population sample studies done in the Tibet Autonomous Region.[31] Genetically, the Sherpa cluster closest with the sampled Tibetan and Han populations.[32] Additionally, the Sherpa and Tibetans had exhibited affinity for several Nepalese populations, with the strongest for theRai people, followed by theMagars and theTamang.[32]
Proposed migration routes of the East Asian Y chromosome haplogroups C, D, N and O
Tibetan males predominantly belong to the paternal lineageD-M174 followed by lower amounts ofO-M175.[33] Tibetan females belong mainly to the Northeast Asian maternal haplogroups M9a1a, M9a1b, D4g2, D4i and G2ac, showing continuity with ancient middle and upperYellow River populations.[34]
Although "East Asian Highlanders" (associated withhaplogroup D1) are closely related to East Asian lowland farmers (associated withhaplogroup O), they form a divergent sister branch to them.[35]
Full genome studies revealed that Tibetans and other high-alltitude East Asians formed from two divergentAncient East Eurasian lineages in Eastern Asia, specifically a lineage representing the Paleolithic population of the Tibetan Plateau, and a lineage associated withAncient Northern East Asians. The Paleolithic Tibetan lineage was found to be distinct from other deep lineages such asUst'-Ishim,Hoabinhian/Onge orTianyuan, but forming a clade with them to the exclusion of other Eurasians. The Northern East Asian lineage can be represented by Neolithic Yellow River farmers, which are associated with the spread of Sino-Tibetan languages. Modern Tibetans derive up to 20% from Paleolithic Tibetans, with the remaining 80% being primarily derived from Yellow River farmers.[27] The formation of the present-day Tibetan gene pool dates back at least 5,100 years BP.[28]
Principal component analysis (PCA) on chronological, geographic distribution and genetic data of ancient individuals of the Tibetan PlateauGenetic links between Tibeto-Burman speakers and their approximate ancestry components.
Northeastern Tibetans display additional geneflow from a Yellow River farmers-like population c. 4,700 years ago, resulting in the formation of a "Tibetan cline".[28]Modern Tibetans display genetic continuity to ancient samples fromNepal, with their genetic diversity having been reduced compared to 'Early Ancient Tibetans' suggesting low to none geneflow from outside groups since c. 3,500 years ago.[28] Subsequent internal geneflow resulted in "a northeastern plateau ancestry associated with the northeast cluster, a southern plateau ancestry associated with the south-southwest cluster, and a southeastern plateau ancestry associated with the southeast-central cluster".[28]
There was limited contact withCentral Asian populations, inline with historical events, evident in mutual geneflow. The expansion of theTibetan Empire may have left genetic traces in surrounding populations.[28]
Genetic studies identified more than 30 genetic factors that make Tibetans' bodies well-suited for high-altitudes, including theEPAS1 gene, also referred to as the "super-athlete gene", which regulates the body's production of hemoglobin,[36] allowing for greater efficiency in the use of oxygen.[37] Thegenetic basis of Tibetan adaptations have been attributed to a mutation in theEPAS1 gene,[38][39] and has become prevalent in the past 5,000 years. Ancient Tibetans carried this allele at a frequency of 25–58%, while modern Tibetans carry it at a frequency of >75%.[27] The widespread presence of this gene may represent one of "the fastest genetic change ever observed in humans".[40]
Recent research into the ability of Tibetans'metabolism to function normally in the oxygen-deficient atmosphere above 4,400 metres (14,400 ft)[41][42][43][44] shows that, although Tibetans living at high altitudes have no more oxygen in their blood than other people, they have ten times morenitric oxide and double the forearm blood flow of low-altitude dwellers. Tibetans inherited this adaptation due to selected genes associated withDenisovan admixture among Asian populations, highlighting how different environments trigger different selective pressures.[45] Nitric oxide causes dilation of blood vessels, allowing blood to flow more freely to the extremities and aids the release of oxygen to tissues.
Most Tibetans generally observeTibetan Buddhism or a collection of native traditions known asBön (also absorbed into mainstream Tibetan Buddhism). There is a minorityTibetan Muslim population.[47] There is also a small TibetanChristian population in the eastern Tibet and northwestern Yunnan of China.
According to legend, the 28th king of Tibet,Thothori Nyantsen, dreamed of a sacred treasure falling from heaven, which contained a Buddhistsutra,mantras, and religious objects. However, because the Tibetan script had not been invented, the text could not be translated in writing and no one initially knew what was written in it. Buddhism did not take root inTibet until the reign ofSongtsen Gampo, who married two Buddhist princesses,Bhrikuti of Nepal andWencheng of China. It then gained popularity whenPadmasambhāva visitedTibet at the invitation of the 38th Tibetan king,Trisong Deutson.
Today, one can see Tibetans placingMani stones prominently in public places. Tibetanlamas, both Buddhist and Bön, play a major role in the lives of Tibetans, conducting religious ceremonies and taking care of the monasteries. Pilgrims plantprayer flags over sacred grounds as a symbol of good luck.
Theprayer wheel is a means of simulating the chant of a mantra by physically revolving the object several times in a clockwise direction. It is widely seen among Tibetans. In order not to desecrate religious artifacts such asStupas, mani stones, andGompas, Tibetan Buddhists walk around them in a clockwise direction, although the reverse direction is true forBön. Tibetan Buddhists chant the prayer "Om mani padme hum", while the practitioners of Bön chant "Om matri muye sale du".
Tibetan wearing the typical hat operating aquern to grind friedbarley. The perpendicular handle of such rotary handmills works as acrank (1938 photo).
Tibet is rich in culture. Tibetan festivals such asLosar,Shoton,Linka, and the Bathing Festival are deeply rooted in indigenous religion and also contain foreign influences. Each person takes part in the Bathing Festival three times: at birth, at marriage, and at death.[citation needed]
Tibetan art is deeply religious in nature, from the exquisitely detailed statues found inGonpas to wooden carvings and the intricate designs of theThangka paintings. Tibetan art can be found in almost every object and every aspect of daily life.
Thangka paintings, a syncretism of Indian scroll-painting with Nepalese and Kashmiri painting, appeared in Tibet around the 8th century. Rectangular and painted on cotton or linen, they usually depict traditional motifs including religious, astrological, and theological subjects, and sometimes amandala. To ensure that the image will not fade, organic and mineral pigments are added, and the painting is framed in colorful silk brocades.
Tibetan folk opera, known aslhamo, is a combination of dances, chants and songs. The repertoire is drawn from Buddhist stories and Tibetan history.[48]
Tibetan opera was founded in the fourteenth century byThang Tong Gyalpo, a lama and a bridge-builder. Gyalpo and seven girls he recruited organized the first performance to raise funds for building bridges to facilitate transportation in Tibet. The tradition continued uninterrupted for nearly seven hundred years, and performances are held on various festive occasions such as the Lingka and Shoton festival. The performance is usually a drama, held on a barren stage that combines dances, chants, and songs. Colorful masks are sometimes worn to identify a character, with red symbolizing a king and yellow indicating deities and lamas. The performance starts with a stage purification and blessings. A narrator then sings a summary of the story, and the performance begins. Another ritual blessing is conducted at the end of the play. There are also many historical myths/epics written by high lamas about the reincarnation of a "chosen one" who will do great things.
The most unusual feature ofTibetan architecture is that many of the houses and monasteries are built on elevated, sunny sites facing the south. They are commonly made of a mixture of rocks, wood, cement and earth. Little fuel is available for heating or lighting, so flat roofs are built to conserve heat, and multiple windows are constructed to let in sunlight. Walls are usually sloped inwards at 10 degrees as a precaution against frequent earthquakes in the mountainous area. Tibetan homes and buildings are white-washed on the outside, and beautifully decorated inside.
Standing at 117 metres (384 ft) in height and 360 metres (1,180 ft) in width, thePotala Palace is considered the most important example of Tibetan architecture.[49] Formerly the residence of theDalai Lama, it contains over a thousand rooms within thirteen stories and houses portraits of the past Dalai Lamas and statues of the Buddha. It is divided between the outer White Palace, which serves as the administrative quarters, and the inner Red Quarters, which houses the assembly hall of the Lamas, chapels, 10,000 shrines, and a vast library of Buddhist scriptures.[50]
Traditional Tibetan medicine utilizes up to two thousand types of plants, forty animal species, and fifty minerals. One of the key figures in its development was the renowned 8th century physicianYuthog Yontan Gonpo, who produced the Four Medical Tantras integrating material from the medical traditions of Persia, India and China. The tantras contained a total of 156 chapters in the form of Thangkas, which tell about the archaic Tibetan medicine and the essences of medicines in other places.[51]
TheCuisine of Tibet reflects the rich heritage of the country and people's adaptation to high altitude and religious culinary restrictions. The most important crop isbarley. Dough made from barley flour, calledtsampa, is thestaple food ofTibet. This is either rolled into noodles or made into steamed dumplings calledmomo.Meat dishes are likely to beyak,goat ormutton, often dried or cooked into a spicystew withpotatoes.Mustard seed is cultivated in Tibet and therefore features heavily in its cuisine. Yakyogurt,butter andcheese are frequently eaten and well-prepared yogurt is considered something of a prestige item.[52][53][54]
Men and Women wear long thick dresses (chuba) in more traditional and rural regions.[55] The men wear a shorter version with pants underneath. The style of the clothing varies between regions. Nomads often wear thick sheepskin versions. In more urban places like Lhasa, men and women dress in modern clothing, and many choose to wear chuba during festivals and holidays likeLosar.[56][57]
Tibet has national literature that has both religious, semi-spiritual and secular elements. While the religious texts are well-known, Tibet is also home to the semi-spiritualGesar Epic, which is the longest epic in the world and is popular throughout Mongolia and Central Asia. There are secular texts such asThe Dispute Between Tea and Chang (Tibetan beer) andKhache Phalu's Advice.
Monogamy is common throughout Tibet. Marriages are sometimes arranged by the parents if the son or daughter has not picked their own partner by a certain age. However, polyandry is practiced in parts of Tibet. This is usually done to avoid division of property and provide financial security.[58]
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