The Lhoba Indigenous culture is deeply rooted in traditional institutions integral to their cultural identity and worldview. Lo-menthang village is structured into four traditional wards or clusters.
Central to the Lhoba community's governance are their customary values, exemplified by the Kghyamba/Ghyamba system. This system emphasizes collectiveness and collective action, promoting social cohesion and harmony between nature and human society. Roles within this system are not determined through formal elections; instead, community members rotate responsibilities annually, fostering a culture of shared accountability and responsiveness to community needs.
Decision-making processes within the Lhoba community are consensus-based and guided by customary laws. Leaders facilitate discussions according to established customs. Conflicts or matters requiring action are resolved collectively by community members and the Kghyamba. This participatory approach ensures that every household has a voice in decision-making processes.
The customary Kghyamba system is vital to the livelihoods of the Lhoba people, particularly in managing irrigation water in the arid climate of their trans-Himalayan village. Moreover, the Lhoba community is actively engaged in preserving and renovating monasteries and sacred places, maintaining irrigation canals crucial for their livelihoods, and implementing waste management training to address the environmental challenges posed by increasing tourism and waste accumulation in their village. These initiatives underscore the community's commitment to preserving their cultural heritage and sustainable way of life.
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Indigenous autonomous government reinforces independent protection of its territory while accusing national authorities of neglect.
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Growing up in and around the forested village of Sungai Utik and learning from the elders, Kynan Tegar continues to tell the stories of resistance in the face of colonization taught to him.
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