Music in Tibet

A vast category, Tibetan music can be categorized in numerous ways, including by genre, by geographical region, and by function or context. From nightclubs to highland pastures, musicians and musical groups across the Tibetan Plateau enliven everyday celebrations and special occasions through their dextrous use of instruments traditional and modern. Lyrics may be sung to help ease physical labor, accompany dances, conduct ceremonies, tell stories, relay history, celebrate events, build community, and pass the time. Videos in this collection include examples of these genres and a series of places from around cultural Tibet, including Amdo, Basum, Lhasa, Lhatse, Ngari, Panam, and Porong.