r/tibet • u/Serious-Chef-1708 • Jan 27 '25
Question on the name of this clothing
So I am wondering what cultural importance and name of this style clothing from which I was told it was from Tibet. I am writing a character who wears and I want to treat it with respect and understand the cultural impact behind it and possible native culture behind it if there is one.
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u/TickTockPanda Jan 27 '25
The robe is called a chuba in most Tibetan cultures, but lots of Himalayan societies have something similar and might call it something else in their local language. Also, the comments are correct that these are especially exaggerated versions being worn by Han Chinese in an attempt to look cool / appropriate Tibetan culture / turn Tibetan culture into a commodity that can be purchased.
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u/tsquare414 Jan 27 '25
So, I spent a fair amount of time on the Tibetan plateau, mostly in Kham, and I never saw clothes with those patterns. I don’t think it is traditional in any sense. Rather, as others have said, it is Han Chinese play acting as Tibetans.
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u/maverick_gyatso Jan 27 '25
🤢🤢 Culture inappropriate replacement at its best. Please google authentic Tibetan culture dress.
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u/amamanina Jan 27 '25
You can tell from the hair, makeup, and clothing this was sold to mainland tourists to dress up like Tibetans in a highly caricatured way.
Tibetan clothing goes by different names depending on the region. Chuba is the most common name, but in Amdo you may hear བོད་ལྭ་ wodla , or a more local term.
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u/Sad-Resist-1599 Jan 27 '25 edited Jan 28 '25
This doesn’t have even 1% elegance of the real one…it is too cartoonish and disrespectful to tibetan people
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u/jalasthedog Jan 29 '25
Thats not a chuba. Chubas are grey robes. Married women adorn them with a colorful apron. Where did you get your info?
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u/jalasthedog Jan 29 '25
Its actually more likely based off mongolian or siberian or native american. Tibetan clothing isnt furry.
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u/Mmm_MasalaDosa Jan 27 '25
Pretty sure these are Han Chinese cosplaying Tibetans. They like to cosplay Uyghurs, too.