tibetan

In the past and today, Tibetan-Muslim relations in Qinghai and Gansu are often associated with violent conflicts sparked by religious differences or 'interethnic hatred'. A more nuanced study of the history of Tibetan-Muslim relations, however, reveals complexity as well as considerable local difference with regard to how and when contacts were established, maintained, and broken off. Tibetan-Muslim encounters were manifold and varied, including interethnic marriages, close business relations, political alliances, and armed conflicts. To illustrate this wide range of encounters, examples chosen for this paper, i.e., the relations between Amdo Tibetans and the Muslim Baoan nationality, the Muslim Ma warlords, and the Chinese xiejia institution, span different eras and localities. This study suggests that Tibetan-Muslim relations were predominantly shaped by socio-economic and political factors rather than by religious differences or 'interethnic hatred' as is often assumed.

Tibetan concepts of gtsang ma (purity) in Phug sde Village (Bla brang Township, Xiahe 夏河 County, Gannan 甘南 Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu 甘肃 Province) are described. The role of purity in manipulating rten 'brel (fortune) during village rituals is explored, showing the centrality of purity in Phug sde village life. 

Collecting water from the Rma chu (Yellow River) near oM skor Village, Mang ra (Guìnán 贵南) County, Mtsho lho (Hǎinán 海南) Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Mtsho sgnon (Qīnghǎi 青海) Province is shown in eleven photographs. 

Marriage in Stag rig Village, Shar lung Township, Khri ka County, Mtsho lho Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Mtsho sngon Province, China is described in the context of the hair dressing ritual, rules of exclusion and inclusion, the process of marriage (spouse selection, free choice marriage, arranged marriage), engagement, drinking contract liquor, bride wealth discussion, choosing a date for the wedding ritual, wedding preparations at the bride and groom's homes, the wedding ritual and banquet, marrying a groom into the bride's home, divorce, and the atmosphere surrounding the bride's arrival.