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SmallKhampa Culture
Kham is the Tibetan name for the eastern part of the Tibetan plateau, which forms the geographical boundaries of Greater Tibet. Lhasa considers the political and geographical boundaries of Greater Tibet to be one and the same. China’s perspective differs and Yunnan province has been a part of south-central China since the 17th century.
Khampas are known for their warlike spirit and rich, diverse culture. Much romanticized, the martial Khampas are generally tall, with aquiline features. They have forthright manners that dispel all notions of Asian politesse. Like all Khampas, Gyalthang men and women are passionate equestrians. Each summer, races and festivities honor Gyalthang's 17th century equestrian master, Topden.
The ethnic groups of the Tibet valleys are numerous with Tibetans forming the main ethnic group. In addition to Tibetan culture, the matriarchal Naxi live at the lower elevations, with a heavy concentration at Lijiang. The Lisu and the Yi inhabit the mountains of the west and east.
Often the various ethnic communities can be identified by their clothing. The Lisu wear homespun hemp, the Naxi a sheepskin cape with sun, moon and star symbols and the Yi, big black hats and colourful dresses. Some are farmers, fishermen, or prospectors for gold along the Yangtze or Mekong.
The matrilineal Moso live in what the Chinese call the 'Country of Daughters' in the mountains of the borderlands between China and Tibet. There is no marriage in Moso society, but rather a large extended family lives together in a log home. Adult women of the household have their own bedrooms, where they entertain lovers.
The Bai have a long history of cultural assimilation with the Chinese. Nevertheless, they maintain traditional dress, customs and religious beliefs. The women wear trousers covered by an apron skirt, waistcoats of red or blue, buttoned on the right, and a variety of headdresses depending on where they come from. The town of Dali is the Bai cultural capital and 85% of them live in the surrounding region, where raw pork is considered a delicacy.
The Yi are monogamous and live in nuclear families. Most members of the six Yi ethnic groups are scattered over mountain areas, some in frigid mountain areas at high altitudes, and a small number live on flat land or in valleys. The altitudinal differences of the Yi areas directly affect their climate and precipitation, giving rise to their saying that "the weather is different a few miles away". Historically fierce warriors, the Yi evolved an aristocratic society where even their slaves had slaves.
