Monba is an ethnic group recognized by the central government of China. The total population of Monba is about 11,000 according to the 2010 nationwide census. The Monba people mainly reside in the southeastern Tibet, such as Medog County and Cona County. They speak their native language which belongs to the Sino-Tibetan Family of Languages. However, they have not created a writing system for the language. The Monba people have had a very close tie with Tibetans since ancient times. Tibetan language is also used by the Monba. Most of them are followers of Buddha. Even the Sixth Dalai Lama, Tsangyang Gyatso(1683-1706) was from the Monba Group.
The History of Monba
Monba is a Tibetan word which means people living in Menyu area. Menyu refers to the border region between China and Bhutan. The Monba Ethnic group originated from the native inhabitants in Menyu area. In the early 7th century, they were ruled by the Tibetan chieftains. The rulers strengthened their control to the Menyu area in the following centuries. Between the 10th century and the 13th century, Tibet gradually became a society of feudal serfdom under theocratic rule. The feudal lords in Tibet included the local governors, the nobles and the high-ranking lamas. The slave-owners ruthlessly exploited and persecuted the populace. Due to the sharp increase of taxes, more and more Monba people migrated to the present Medog County. The eastward migration began in the 18th century and lasted for almost a hundred years. In 1959, the serfdom was abolished by the central government of China.
The Folk Customs of Monba
Both the Monba and Tibetan people are followers of Lamaism and Bonism. Some of the Monba also practise their own primitive religion. It is kind of animism. They put their trust in wizards and witches. Both are supposed to have magic power to protect their home. The wizards could exorcise devils from villagers and the witches could talk to the gods ask them to come.
The Monba people plant a variety of crops, such as barley, corn(maize), rice, millet, soybean and potato. Most of them are mountain-dwellers. They often go hunting and gathering mushrooms or herbs. The natives like to cook with stone pot. Their favourite dish is the Chicken Stew with Mushroom. The Monba also drink the butter tea, the barley wine and the millet wine. The millet wine is called Bangjiang by the locals.
Both men and women often wear a robe, a pair of trousers, a black hat, and a pair of soft-soled leather boots. The women usually have a white aprons or skirt on. They like to wear earrings, necklaces, rings and bracelets.
The grandest festivals celebrated by the Monba are the Tibetan New Year and the Shoton Festival. The former lasts from the first day to the fifteenth day according to Tibetan calendar. The latter is also known as the Yogurt Festival or Sunning-Buddha Festival. At the festival, lamas often take out some huge portraits of Buddhas and display them to people. Read more about the Shoton Festival...
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Author: Tina Luo
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