Dhongba households do have certain community obligations such as maintaining Gomba (monastery) (support rituals with food, labor, materials, and fuels), organizing community festivals like Yartung, Tenchi Chiram (Tiji) rituals, and supporting the royal palace as required. The path to Kagbeni is along the riverbed, mostly dry, with an occasional crystal stream meandering over the grey pebbles. 7, 4 (2023). This study adopted multi-site ethnography, which is suitable in the modern social context, as argued by Marcus (1995). According to a key informant, compared to other households, makhiu and sinkhor received good-quality land from the King for agricultural purposes. In the land of the Loba In the land of the Loba On the treacherous high-altitude trail to Lo Manthang, the walled city that is the capital of Upper Mustang province in Nepal and whose denizens are true custodians of a. This study has contributed significantly to the advancement of the Ostroms (1990, 1993) eight design principles and made it ten, in the case of local institutions of the Loba community of Upper Mustang. Institutions are understood in different ways, however, in social anthropological studies, they are recognized both as formal and informal organization having procedural and functional components of a community, public, civic, and private spheres (Uphoff & Back 2006). The Ghara settlement lies outside the main settlement in Lo-manthang, which is more or less the same pattern as the traditional Newa: settlements of the Kathmandu Valley (Pandey 2004). Upper Mustang is not connected by road or air and can only be accessed on foot or on mules over a rutted dust track. Figure1 presents the major local institutions and interconnectedness that collectively sustain the livelihood of the Loba people. They believe that eternity exists in the light, which is achieved after offering it to God. The conceptualization of adaptive measures of Loba indigenous institution. Other visible impacts reported are increased invasive species, changed phenology of plants, increased incidents of crops and livestock diseases, and changed habitats of disease vectors. Lhoba religion practices include shamanism, spiritual healing, fortune-telling and wizardry. The maides considered themselves nobles and saw the niebas inferior and at their disposal. As we were nearing Chumrung, our group of three began to experience the first rumblings of a mutiny. Lack of household labor or their engagement in better-paid jobs outside of the village (mostly abroad) and increasing wages of farm laborers further raised the cost of agricultural products. Indigenous knowledge-based systems of farm, labor, and resource management, accompanied by changes in food preference (food value) and linking agriculture with spiritual practice, followed by occupational modernization and migration, are a high priority in the adaptation process (Khatri & Pandey 2021) that the Lobas have demonstrated through their indigenous institutions. Kottak, Conrad Phillip. https://doi.org/10.3126/opsa.v9i0.1139. At present the dhongba system is facing several challenges because of the changes in the marriage system and childbirth control, as well as changes in environmental and resource conditions. Cambridge University Press India. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1548-1409.2011.01092.x. They were isolated for years and are completely unevangelized. ), Anthropology of Climate Change: From Encounters to Actions (pp. 192211). The continuity and changes, and the turn systems are the major mechanisms adopted by the Loba to cope with changing socio-economic, and environmental conditions. This type of household also has a compatible practice of fraternal polyandry. different. In Loba society, a person may have as many as three names. Anthropologists have focused their studies on cultural ecology and ethnoecology. There are no competing interests in this manuscript. The ghenba plays an active role in agricultural activities, irrigation management system, and the protection of crops and pastures. The local socio-economic, political, and environmental conditions have changed in the Upper Mustang in the last seven decades while the Lobas have been coping and adapting to all of these changes, whether well or hard. In archery competitions, Garbo's arrows landed on both sides of the fruit, the The purpose of such institutions is wide-ranged across the communities, from economic, social, cultural, religious, political, and educational to environmental. Both men The main function of this system is to prevent conflict and violence among the main competitors/stakeholders in resource and service use. The barter animal hides, musk, bear paws and other items with Tibetans in exchange for tools and clothing. This is a unique feature of the Loba, but one that is slowly diminishing. https://doi.org/10.3126/dsaj.v6i0.8480. 2001. 2023 BioMed Central Ltd unless otherwise stated. The legend of the ancestors of the Loba The dhongba households, however, still have certain community obligations such as maintaining Gomba (monastery); support in rituals with food, labor, materials, and fuel; organizing important community festivals/rituals like Yartung, Tenchi Chiram (Tiji); and looking after their entire family members, including the parents and brother and sisters until they become adults. There are several studies on Upper Mustang, particularly on Lo-manthang. Both the men and women grow their hair long and often wear it braided. Before the founding of the People's Republic of China, the Loba Only a tiny 19-seater aircraft flies from Pokhara to Jomsom daily, and even this shuts down when the weather in Jomsom turns moody and misty, which is often. However, the condition of polyandry is dying out at present. Customary systems of natural resources management among Tarami Magars of western Nepal. Google Scholar. When singing, One of the main reasons for reduced interest in the system is associated with the out-migration of households, and they no longer utilize the irrigation facility. Unfortunately, not much is known about the history and origin of Lhoba people. The Loba practice this system wherever they go and whenever they need to share something. When he does, the next son must become a Buddhist monk. If you want to experience a small window to distant hunter-gatherer past of our species, Tibet offers a surprising and unique experience: The Lhoba people. The sun, which just the other day was seductively golden over the Annapurna, was blindingly silver and hot, as if out to burn everything in sight. This region has also been recognized as a meeting place for Buddhist scholars of different sects, both by native and foreign origin, even from distant places such as Magadha (India), Simhala (Sri Lanka), Balyul (Kathmandu), Khache (Kashmir), and Bod (Tibet) (Dhungel 2002). 1972. Dynamics of the Himalayan climate: A study of the Kaligandaki Basin, Nepal. The Mustangi King had a good relationship with the Kings of Nepal in Kathmandu. still using the original way of slash and fire to engage in agricultural The village head political system of Lower Mustang is described by Vinding (1994), in which two village heads, a treasurer, and six village workers are elected each year by the villagers, which is different from the formal politico-administrative governance unit of the state. Part of precious and living historical data of life and culture for future generations. 2015). This paper is a product of multiple fieldworks in different villages of Upper Mustang, Nepal, between 2012 to 2016. 2015. At that time, the workers received good food while at work and also received normal wages of NRs. Zhuji Ancient Lane is one of the national 4A scenic spots and one of t. Daxian opera is a local traditional drama in Huaxian and Puyang counties of Henan Province, and one of the intangible cultural heritage at the national level. The girl child is usually entitled to become Aani, and they assist in maintaining the Gombas and the Temples. The next day, we drove to the Chosar caves near the Tibetan border to see the many caves on the mountainside that were once home to monks. Grocery shop in Lo Manthang (2018) by Angelo ChiacchioEphemera documentary Newly paved routes. This practice used to be called phutok. All seven of us piled into the vehicle. They take specific roles and responsibilities of irrigation management and other issues of community spheres. One wondered whether Greek and Roman architecture might not have been inspired by these cliffs and columns. The Loba produces only a single crop in a year, and the tenure of the village head, hence, also becomes one agriculture cycle. They were not allowed to leave their area without permission and were not allowed to marry Tibetans. Mustang was close to the Tibetan salt mine of Naithapaila and Lo-Kingdom had a customary monopoly on the salt trade. Of course, we did not know this when we decided to hire an SUV, at extortionate rates, to get to Jomsom. Until 1992, this area was closed to the outside world. On our early morning walk through this street, we spotted Dhaulagiri Boarding School and an attached hostel where girls were getting ready for school. The Chosar caves in Upper Mustang in Nepal, near the Tibetan border. (PDF) The Interface of Ethnicity, Modernity and Caste: A Study of But in general, Lhoba men clothing reflects their hunting lifestyle. To cope with this sort of crisis, the ghenba System enforced a new rule that every household must play the role of chhime and ghenba on their turn. Applied Geography 64 (1): 7486. Until 1992, this area was closed to the outside world. Chuksang village (2,965 m) en route was ripe with apples, plums and apricots. Obligation to labor support to the King also ended, since most of the cultivated land belonging to the King has been abandoned, and only about a tenth of the total farmland under the former Kings entitlement is cultivated. As Nina Wegner explained via email, "A new school in Lo Manthang offers the national curriculum in the Loba's native language of Lowa, while an amchi (Tibetan doctor) school instills young people with the science, art and . Loba culture # [ Loba Pakistan weaving] Lhoba weaving and Luoba bamboo, Luoba knife dance with the Tibet Autonomous Region intangible cultural heritage projects. University of Southern California. The total population of Upper Mustang is 3322, which has the lowest population density (1.49 person /km2) in Nepal comparing the national average of 198 person/km2 (CBS 2022). He arranged a four-wheel-drive vehicle for us to cover the rest of the journey to Lo Manthang. Time factor becomes important because of watching convenience to the assigned individuals. Stratification, polyandry, and family structure in Central Tibet. Ghar Gompa, the oldest one in the region, is a living example of this fusion. The national first-class protected birds include the Tragopan, which is mainly distributed in the forest area of H. Chapter https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.an.24.100195.000523. Lobas have started using the threshing machine for crop harvest and tractors and trucks to deliver fuel, food, and bring local products to the market. Nevertheless, they are categorized as the Kutak (Bistas), the Phalwas (the Gurung), the Drokpa (nomadic pastoralists); and the Ghara (occupational groups) based on their blood relation, power position, and occupation. A preliminary report on kinship terminologies of the Bodish section of Sino-Tibetan speaking peoples. The major changes observed during this period and their implications in the life of Loba Community of Upper Mustang are briefly discussed below: The analysis of meteorological data shows the rise of temperature and decrease in rainfall in the Upper Mustang (Khattri 2021; Khattri & Pandey 2021). - Few evangelicals, but significant number who identify as Christians. The Lama plays a major role in reinforcing local rules, while the Ghenba is an agent who mediates the Lo King and people in materializing rules and operationalizing institutional mechanisms. We are thankful to Mr. Kanchan Mani Dixit for editing the language of this paper. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeog.2015.09.008. Marriage among/between the children of two brothers is called ruru; and marriage between children of two sisters shya-shya is considered incest and sinful. 2000. Indigenous environmental knowledge and its transformations: Critical anthropological perspectives. Other household types, such as phorang (of a singled man) and morang (of a singled woman), are also observable in the place. The popular way of cooking is putting the game in fire and covering by ashes to prepare for eating. The first modern scholar to view the paintings of Thubchen and Jampa was the great Tibetologist, Giuseppe Tucci, who was allowed to visit Mustang . They inhabit the Mustang and Dolpa districts in the northern part of the region (Dhawalagiri Zone), close to the Nepal-China border.. People Group Location: Omid. Fifty-three households were the makhiu, i.e., the Kings soldiers. They have also explored new livelihood opportunities, which are the outcomes of education and the changed legal system of the Government of Nepal. Sedanloya to settle in the Degen area, their descendants became the later Degen The sun was already up. Mustang is a windy, arid, high altitude desert. 2068. Their primary language is Loke. The area was forbidden to foreigners until 1992, so it used to be recognized as the forbidden kingdom of the Himalayas. The Government of Nepal adopted only the high-yielding and controlled-flow of tourists after 1992. Even today, hunting dogs play a significant part in Lhoba life and it is common for a family to own dozens of dogs which are taken into homes as family. Theory of culture change: The methodology of multilinear evolution. We crossed several passes, including Nyi La, the highest pass on this route. Annual Review of Anthropology 24 (1): 95117. characteristics that distinguish the Loba nationality from other nationalities. The Loba informants spoke well in the Nepali language, which also made it convenient to do fieldwork much faster. There were moments when we felt we could not go any further and might have to freeze under a star-studded sky; temperatures can plunge to minus at night. District Development Committee, Mustang. Data is not as precise as it appears. The ghiughar chhumbe/mhigyaba grow long hair, are marriageable, wear white clothes, and stay in white-colored houses. Their life has become much more comfortable in this harsh environmental condition and the impact of modernization is to be prized. Similarly, Ojha (1986) highlighted economic life; Pissel (1965) presented the general description of Loba from a Tibeto-centric perspective; Sharma & Gurung (2056 BS:2000 AD) documented religious sites; and Tulachan (2003) focused on tourism. The former King of Mustang, Jigme Dorje Palba Bista, died in 2016 in Kathmandu, and his son runs a hotel in Lo. They support people with the spiritual power that they have gained through meditation. The annual turn is followed in traditional leadership (ghenba, midhi, and chhime). political, historical, natural common sense, family and marriage in reality, Cite this article. Archaeological investigation of the region shows that the Loba people have settled in the region and cultivated crops for around 3000years (Knorzer 2000). Reporting directly to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Global, Culture & Engagement), the Chief of Staff, Global, Culture and Engagement is a key member of the Portfolio's leadership team and will manage the portfolio to ensure the timely and efficient execution of a range of international programs; provide strategic oversight to and ensure support for the Committees, Advisory Groups and Working . It was probably the toughest stretch in our entire trek, even tougher than the trudge in the dark to ABC. production, planting maize, upland rice and other miscellaneous grains. The Loba people often invite folk singers to perform in their They also give to the poor and needy, and abstain from sexual relations during this time. The Phalwas are the most dominant and economically powerful and place themselves in the middle of the social position. They are supposed to contribute compulsory labor to maintain the irrigation system. Another issue is that some people have given up crop cultivation, but started fodder and tree farming, demanding a lot of irrigation during high water demand. 7086). Blanks mean an unknown value. Lo Manthang is a walled city tucked away in the folds of high mountain ranges far and away from intrusive crowds and even Nepals administrative reach. originally lived in Gongbu, but later moved to Baden Banga, Milin Village, Water Resources Research 29 (7): 19071912. We have also used secondary data to evaluate the facts and ideas, from published scholarly journals to grey literature on the related themes. The region is called Pemako. of the Loba Nationality has been carried on from generation to generation until This sort of process ensured the access of ordinary household family members to the palace on the one hand, and reduced the hegemony of few people that is observable in formally-employed staff in a formal governance system on the other. Both men and women do not wear shoe ware. Ancestors of the Loba Nationality" declared by Milin County of Tibet 1980. Lama/monks work to improve the spiritual life and general health of the Loba community. 169190. Ethnography of climate change: Loba strategies to adaptation in Lo-manthang, Upper Mustang, Nepal. Gorgeous grey and brown cliffs, looking like exquisite shades of raw silk, shimmered in the backdrop. Book The individual students are also sponsored, mostly by foreign donors. Yaks were being herded to pasture, monks were hurrying about on their daily rounds, women were collecting firewood and storing it for the winter, men were busy with harvests and tourists were clicking away at everything in sight.
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