Editing Lhoba people

{{Short description|Ethnic group of Tibet}}
{{more citations needed|date=October 2014}}
{{Infobox ethnic group
| group            = Lhoba<br/>{{resize|75%|(Bokaer, Luoba, Lhopa, Loba, Yidu, Bengru){{Citation needed|date=April 2022}}}}
| native_name      = 
| native_name_lang = 
| region1          = {{flag|China}}
| image            = File:Lhoba tanyi women.jpg
| caption          = 珞巴
| pop1             = 3,682 (2010)
| languages        = [[Bokar language|Bokar]], [[Idu Mishmi language|Idu Mishmi]], [[Adi_people#Language|Adi]], [[Tibetic languages]],  [[Standard Chinese|Mandarin]]
| religions        = [[Animism]], [[Christianity]]  <ref>{{cite book |script-title=zh:西藏旅游指南英: Travel Guide|author1=Caidan An|author2=Jun Liu|author3=Jinhui Li|author4=Tao Xie|publisher=五洲传播出版社|year=2003|pages=123|isbn=7-5085-0374-0}}</ref>
| related          = [[Tibetan people|Tibetan]]
| ref1             = <ref>[[Sixth National Population Census of the People's Republic of China]]</ref>
}}

'''Lhoba'''{{Efn|Also ''Luoba''{{Sfn|West|2009|p=463–464}}|name=|group=}} (English translation: {{Transliteration|en|Southerners|}};<ref name=":0">{{Cite web| last= |title=Lhoba Ethnic Minority |url=http://en.chinaculture.org/focus/focus/60PLT/2011-04/28/content_412850.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200115135745/http://en.chinaculture.org/focus/focus/60PLT/2011-04/28/content_412850.htm |archive-date=15 January 2020 |access-date=2021-02-08 |website=en.chinaculture.org |publisher=Ministry of Culture, P.R.China |quote=Lhoba is what Tibetans call the people living in Lhoyu. It means 'southerners'}}</ref> {{zh|c={{linktext|珞巴}}|hp=Luòbā}}; {{langx|bo|ལྷོ་པ།}}){{sfnp|Stein|1972|p=79}} is any of a diverse amalgamation of [[Sino-Tibetan languages|Sino-Tibetan-speaking]] tribespeople living in and around [[Pemako]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Arpi |first=Cluade |author-link=Claude Arpi |date=2019-04-21 |title=The Hidden Kingdom of Pemako ...hidden no more |url=http://www.indiandefencereview.com/the-hidden-kingdom-of-pemako-hidden-no-more/ |archive-url= |archive-date= |access-date=2021-02-08 |website=Indian Defence Review |language=en-US}}</ref> a region in southeastern [[Tibet]]{{Sfn|Wessels|1924|p=255|ps=Nem Singh applies this name Lhoba to the people of the Pemako country near the great elbow of the Tsangpo, where Kinthup also met them and found them the same as Nain Singh}} including [[Mainling County|Mainling]], [[Mêdog County|Medog]] and [[Zayü County|Zayü]] counties of [[Nyingchi]] and [[Lhünzê County]] of [[Shannan, Tibet]].{{Sfn|Baker|2004|p=465}}

In 1965 the [[China|Chinese government]] officially recognised Lhoba as one of the [[list of ethnic groups in China|56 ethnic groups]] in [[China]].{{Sfn|West|2009|p=463–464}} Lhobas are one of the smallest ethnic minority groups in China.{{Sfn|Guo|2013|p=x|loc=Preface}} Numbering 4,237 people, they make up about 0.1% of the population of the [[Tibet Autonomous Region]].

== Etymology ==
Lhoba is the Tibetan [[exonym]] for the inhabitants of the [[Lhoyü]] region. The name means "southerners".'''<ref name=":0" />'''

==History==
The area nowadays inhabited by the modern Lhoba people was known in medieval texts as ''Lhoyü'' (or ''Luoyu'', ''lho-yul'', ལྷོ༌ཡུལ་). [[Lhoyü]] is now the name of an area in Tibet, while Lower Lhoyü is part of the Indian state of [[Arunachal Pradesh]]. Luoyu came under the control of Tibet from the 7th century onwards.<ref>{{cite book |title=China's Tibet |author=Xiaoming Zhang |publisher=五洲传播出版社 |year=2004 |pages=23 |isbn=7-5085-0608-1}}</ref>

It is not currently known whether modern-day Lhoba peoples in fact inhabited Luoyu at the time of Tibetan conquest, nor whether languages spoken by modern-day Lhoba peoples are indigenous to this region or not. While most [[Tani people|Tani]] tribespeople living in modern-day [[Arunachal Pradesh]] point to a traditional homeland in or around this region,{{Sfn|Nyori|1987|p=}} there is currently no independent means of verification.

Most people designated as "Lhoba" within the modern-day [[Tibet Autonomous Region]] (TAR) actually refer to themselves via a diverse set of [[Exonym and endonym|endonym]]s, speak different languages, and do not traditionally self-identify as a single entity.{{Sfn|Lamb|1966|p=320}}<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sinha |first=AC |author-link= |date=February 2005 |editor-last=Murayama |editor-first=Mayumi |title=Sub-Regional Relations in the Eastern South Asia: With Special Focus on India's North Eastern Region. Chapter 2: Arunachal Pradesh |url=https://www.ide.go.jp/English/Publish/Download/Jrp/133.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071030212308/http://www.ide.go.jp/English/Publish/Jrp/pdf/jrp_133_02.pdf |archive-date=2007-10-30 |access-date= |website=Institute of Developing Economies |pages=18 }}</ref> The two main tribal groups which fall under the designation "Lhoba" in the TAR are the [[Mishmi people]] ({{cjkv|s=义都|p=Yìdū}}), who speak the [[Idu Mishmi language]], and the speakers of the [[Bokar language|Bokar dialect]] of [[Abo Tani]], who are found in far greater numbers inside [[Arunachal Pradesh]], a state of modern-day [[India]] claimed by China.

Other groups identified by Chinese authorities as "Lhoba" include the [[Tagin people]], who speak the [[Bangni-Tagin language]].{{Sfn|Sun|1993|p=Chap 1}}

Lhobas, with respect to the Chinese perception of Southern Tibet (administered by India as Arunachal Pradesh), have been part of Chinese documentary films and articles. This has been criticised as propaganda by pro-India propagandists such as [[Claude Arpi]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Arpi |first=Claude |date=3 August 2017 |title=Ten thousand methods to safeguard India's rich tribe |url=https://www.dailypioneer.com/2017/columnists/ten-thousand-methods-to-safeguard-indias-rich-tribe.html |archive-url= |archive-date= |access-date=2021-02-08 |website=The Pioneer |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Mohan |first=Geeta |date=17 August 2017 |title=China usurps Northeastern tribe to corner India, prove Arunachal Pradesh as part of Tibet |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/mail-today/story/china-usurps-northeastern-tribe-to-corner-india-prove-arunachal-pradesh-as-part-of-tibet-1029935-2017-08-17 |archive-url= |archive-date= |access-date=2021-02-08 |website=India Today}}</ref>

==Customs and dress==
Many customs, habits and dress of different clan members may vary. The Lhoba men in [[Luoyu]] wear knee-length black jackets without sleeves and buttons made out of sheep's [[wool]]. They wear helmet-like hats either made from bearskin or woven from [[bamboo]] stripes or rattan laced with bearskin. They also wear ornaments that include earrings, necklaces made of beads, and bamboo plugs inserted into the ear lobe. The Lhoba women wear narrow-sleeved blouses and skirts of sheep's wool. The weight of the ornaments the womenfolk wear is a symbol of their wealth, which includes shells, silver coins, iron chains bells, silver and brass earrings. Both sexes usually go barefooted. Their dress are quite similar to the [[Tibet]]an costume. The Idu men wear a sword and waterproof cane helmet, and a chignon on their hair and shields made of buffalo hide. Yidu weaponry includes straight Tibetan sword, dagger, bow and poisoned arrows.

Among the Yidu Lhoba (Idu [[Mishmi people|Mishmi]]), one of the sub-tribes is the Bebejia Mishmi. Bebejia Mishmi women are expert weavers and make excellent coats and blouses.<ref>[http://www.north-east-india.com/arunachal-pradesh/arunachal-tribes.html Arunachal tribes]</ref>

The Idu houses are divided into a number of rooms for use of every married person. Unmarried girls and boys sleep in separate rooms. A fireplace occupies the centre of the room, round which the inmates sleep. The Idu are polygamous and each wife has their own rooms in the house. The family is organised in [[patriarchal]] principles. The inheritance of a widow is exceptional compared to a mother's.

The wooden pillow of the master of the house is considered taboo to the inmates of the house as it is considered improper to sit upon it. Guests are not allowed to enter the room of the master of the house. The animal skulls preserved in the house are considered to be sacred.

The slash and burn method of cultivation, known as [[Slash-and-burn|Jhum]] is the mainstay of the Idus, and clearing of land is carried for every three to five years. The important crops they raise are [[rice|paddy]], [[arum]], [[tapioca]], [[millet]] and [[maize]]. [[Rice]] is the staple [[food supplement]]ed by millet maize and tapioca. They also take leafy vegetables, beans, [[gourd]], sweet potato etc. Animal flesh is considered taboo to Idu woman. The Yidu also consume "Yu", a locally brewed rice beer, and rice beer prepared by a woman during her period is taboo to a priest.

The Idu calendar was based upon the menstrual period of the women and dating is done by untying one each from a number of knots put on a piece of string. Traditional village [[Panchayati raj|panchayat]] (abbala) settle all internal disputes within the tribe.

==Culture and religion==
Lhoba people speak [[Tibeto-Burman languages|Tibeto-Burman ]] language of [[Tani languages|Tani]] and [[Mishmi people|Mishmi]] branches. In the past, when there was no writing, the Lhobas kept track of history through telling their descendants and tying knot codes about their past. Their literature poses a significant influence on their Tibetan counterparts. They are known as "[[Bokar language|Bokar]]" in Arunachal Pradesh of northeast India and are found in the Pidi and Monigong circles of Arunachal Pradesh. They trace their origin from a common forefather, [[Abotani]]. They follow the genealogy counting from Abotani as Nijum-Jumsi-Siki-Kiyor-Yorkar-Kardung-Duram-Ramdung/Ramgu/Ramgo. All Bokar groups have originated from Ramdung, Ramgo and Ramgu. Their immediate brothers are [[Galo people|Galo]], [[Ramo people|Ramo]], [[Palibo people|Libo/Pailibo]] and [[Tagin people|Tagin]].

The majority of Lhoba(Bokar)in India have now been converted to Christianity. Most are [[Pentecostalism|Pentecostal]], although other denominations are also present.

The Lhoba engage in barter trade with the [[Tibet]]ans, trading goods like animal hides, musk, bear paws, [[dye]] (locally knowns as ''tamen'' or botanically known as ''[[Rubia cordifolia]]'') and captured game for farm tools, salt, wool, clothing, grain and tea from Tibetan traders. As a result of this constant trading, they have been increasingly influenced by the Tibetans in their dress. Many Lhobas have converted to [[Tibetan Buddhism]] in recent years as they traded with [[Buddhism|Buddhist]] monasteries, frequently blending it with their indigenous [[animist]] beliefs, which traditionally have deep roots in the tiger.{{clarify|date=January 2021}} Others, remain [[animistic]], especially those in [[Arunachal Pradesh]], who follow [[Donyi-Poloism]]; the pilgrimage centre of their community lies at [[Atho-Popu]] the [[Upper Dibang Valley district|Dibang valley]].{{citation needed|date=January 2021}} The stories about immigration are told along the banks of twelve rivers in the Dibang valley, the clustered area known as Cheithu-Huluni. The [[Yidu]] traditionally believe in a supreme god named "Inni".

Festivals such as [[Reh (festival)|Reh]] are celebrated to appease the mold [[deities]], who are traditionally believed to control the peace and prosperity of the people. Celebration with great fanfare and the performance of priest dances marks the end of the festival.

There are four funeral variants among the Yidu Lhoba (Idu Mishmi), and people of different social status would choose to conduct any of the variants. In all variants, an Igu priest would recite mourning songs for the dead. [[Gayal|Mithuns]] are sacrificed in the ''Yah'' variant of the funeral, which lasts for three to four days.

Lhoba boys are trained to hunt at an early age. Women have low status in society and have no inheritance rights from their husbands or fathers.

The Lhoba enjoy a subtropical/warm temperate climate.

==Cuisine==
Lhoba cuisine varies across regions. Staple foods are dumplings made of [[maize]] or millet flour, rice or buckwheat or [[sago palm]] starch. In places near Tibetan communities people eat [[tsampa]], [[potato]]es, buttered tea and spicy food. Heavy drinkers and smokers, at celebrations the Lhobas sing and drink wine to celebrate good harvests and good luck. Buttered tea is their favorite drink. However, due to lack of [[salt]], they suffer endemic [[Goitre|goiter]]. Many are either born deaf or mute. Their population declined until recently due to this disease, and due to their low population, many either intermarry with Tibetans or with the tribal groups of [[Arunachal Pradesh]], notably the [[Monpa people|Monpa]].

== Dengba people ==
The '''Deng people''' (or ''Dengba'', [[Chinese script|Chinese]] transcription of Taraon-Kaman languages: 代巴玫; [[Chinese language|Chinese]]: 僜人; [[Hanyu pinyin]]: Dèng Rén) are not officially recognised by the government of [[People's Republic of China]]. They are related to the [[Derung people]] of Yunnan or the [[Taron people]] of Myanmar. They live in nine villages in [[Tibet]]'s [[Zayu County]] and virgin forest areas between the [[Himalaya]]s and the Hengduan Mountains at an elevation of 1000 meters. Bradley (2007) reports 800 ''{{IPA|ta˧˩ ʒuaŋ˥}}'' (Chinese: Darang Deng) and 200 ''{{IPA|kɯ˧˩ mɑn˧˥}}'' (Chinese: Geman Deng; known as the Kaman or [[Miju Mishmi tribe|Miju Mishmi]] in India) in China, one village in Burma where they are known as ''Taraung'', and the [[Mishmi people|Taraon]], Tayin, or Tain (formerly Digaru Mishmi) in northeastern India.<ref>Bradley, David (2007). "Language Endangerment in China and Mainland Southeast Asia". In Matthias Brenzinger, ed. ''Language diversity endangered''. New York: Mouton de Gruyter.</ref> Many of them have migrated from China to India.{{Clarify|reason=What does any of this have to do with the Lhoba people?|date=April 2022}}

== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

=== Sources ===
{{Refbegin}}
* {{cite book |first=R. A. |last=Stein |title=Tibetan Civilization |year=1972 |publisher=Stanford University Press |location=Stanford, CA |isbn=0-8047-0901-7 |url=https://archive.org/details/tibetancivilizat00rste/page/79 |page=79 |via=archive.org |url-access=limited}}
*{{Cite book |last=Wessels |first=C. |title=Early Jesuit Travellers In Central Asia (1603-1721) |publisher=Martinus Nijhoff |year=1924 |isbn= |location=The Hauge |url=https://archive.org/details/in.gov.ignca.21297 |via=archive.org}}
*{{Cite book |last=Baker |first=Ian |title=The Heart of the World: A Journey to the Last Secret Place |collaboration=National Geographic-sponsored |publisher=Penguin |year=2004 |isbn=9781594200274 |location= |pages=}}
*{{Cite book |last=Lamb |first=Alastair |url=https://archive.org/details/mcmahonlinestudy0002lamb_h1e5 |title=The McMahon Line: A Study in the Relations Between India, China and Tibet, 1904–1914 |publisher=Routledge & K. Paul |year=1966 |isbn= |volume=2 |location=London |via=archive.org}}
* {{Cite thesis |last=Sun |first=Tianshin Jackson |title=A Historical-Comparative Study of the Tani (Mirish) Branch in Tibeto-Burman |date=15 August 1993 |degree=Doctor of Philosophy in Linguistics |publisher=University of California at Berkeley |url=https://lx.berkeley.edu/publications/historical-comparative-study-tani-mirish-branch-tibeto-burman |doi=}}
* {{Cite thesis |last=Nyori |first=Tai |title=The Adis: A Study of their History and Culture |date=1987 |degree= |publisher=Jawaharlal Nehru College, Pasighat |url=http://14.139.211.59/bitstream/123456789/1567/20/241004.pdf |doi=}}
*{{Cite thesis |last=Riba |first=Bomchak |title=The Relevance of Indigenous Knowledge System of the Galo of Arunachal Pradesh in Sustainable Development of Forest Resources |date=2009 |degree= |publisher=Rajiv Gandhi University via Shodhganga |url=http://hdl.handle.net/10603/255361 |doi=|hdl=10603/255361 }}
*{{Cite book|last=West|first=Barbara A.|chapter=Lhoba (Luoba)|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pCiNqFj3MQsC|title=Encyclopedia of the Peoples of Asia and Oceania|publisher=Facts on Files. Infobase Publishing.|year=2009|isbn=9780816071098|location=New York|pages=463–464}}
*{{Cite book|last=Guo|first=Rongxing|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PMm-W0FX6UUC|title=China's Ethnic Minorities: Social and Economic Indicators|publisher=Routledge|year=2013|isbn=9781136657269|pages=}}
{{Refend}}

==External links==
* [http://www.paulnoll.com/China/Minorities/min-Lhoba.html The Lhopas]
* [http://www.fmprc.gov.cn/eng/ljzg/3584/t17897.htm Lhoba ethnic minority]
* [http://www.china.org.cn/e-groups/shaoshu/shao-2-lhoba.htm Ethnic Groups-Lhobas]
* [http://www.proel.org/mundo/idu.htm PROPEL]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20041230185614/http://www.ksafe.com/profiles/p_code5/767.html Unreached People prayer profiles]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20050418220507/http://www.zytzb.org.cn/xizhang/zazhi/2001-3/eng/p6.htm Compiling the Tibetan folktale]
* [http://scienster.com/fundraisin.chtml?and+crafts Idu Arts and Crafts]
* [https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20080816102250/http://portal.unesco.org/culture/en/ev.php-URL_ID=11125&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html UNESCO Cultural centre]
* [http://www.webindia123.com/arunachal/arts/dance1.htm Idu Mishmi ritual dance]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060507075340/http://tribaltransitions.soas.ac.uk/publications/home.html Articles on the tribal groups of Arunachal Pradesh]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070615002541/http://tribaltransitions.soas.ac.uk/publications/blackburnHeidelbergfuneral.pdf Funeral of the Idu Mishmi], [https://web.archive.org/web/20070312215026/http://tribaltransitions.soas.ac.uk/gallery/funeral/ photographs]

===Ethnic profile references===
* [http://www.asiaharvest.org/pages/profiles/nonChina/India/LhobaBogar.pdf Asia harvest profile – Bagar Lhoba]
* [http://www.asiaharvest.org/pages/profiles/nonChina/India/LhobaYidu.pdf Asia harvest profile – Yidu Lhoba]
* [http://www.asiaharvest.org/pages/profiles/nonChina/India/Puroik.pdf Asia harvest profile – Puroik/Sulung]

{{Ethnic groups in China}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Nyingchi]]
[[Category:Ethnic groups officially recognized by China]]