The traditional or mythological explanation of the Tibetan people's origin is that they are the descendants of the human Pha Trelgen Changchup Sempa and rock ogress Ma Drag Sinmo.

It is thought that most of the Tibeto-Burman speakers in southwest China, including Tibetans, are direct descendants from the ancient Qiang people.

In the Baltistan region of Northern Pakistan, the Balti people are a Muslim ethnicity of Tibetan descent numbering around 300,000.

[17] However, the question depends on the definition and extent of "Tibet"; the region claimed by the CTA is more expansive and China more diminutive.

[27] The ethnic roots of Tibetans can be traced back to a deep Eastern Asian lineage representing the indigenous population of the Tibetan plateau since c. 40,000 to 30,000 years ago, and arriving Neolithic farmers from the Yellow River within the last 10,000 years, and which can be associated with having introduced the Sino-Tibetan languages.

[33] Additionally, the Sherpa and Tibetans had exhibited affinity for several Nepalese populations, with the strongest for the Rai people, followed by the Magars and the Tamang.

[34] Tibetan females belong mainly to the Northeast Asian maternal haplogroups M9a1a, M9a1b, D4g2, D4i and G2ac, showing continuity with ancient middle and upper Yellow River populations.

The Northern East Asian lineage can be represented by Neolithic Yellow River farmers, which are associated with the spread of Sino-Tibetan languages.

[29] There was limited contact with Central Asian populations, inline with historical events, evident in mutual geneflow.

[38] The genetic basis of Tibetan adaptations have been attributed to a mutation in the EPAS1 gene,[39][40] and has become prevalent in the past 5,000 years.

[41] Recent research into the ability of Tibetans' metabolism to function normally in the oxygen-deficient atmosphere above 4,400 metres (14,400 ft)[42][43][44][45] shows that, although Tibetans living at high altitudes have no more oxygen in their blood than other people, they have ten times more nitric oxide and double the forearm blood flow of low-altitude dwellers.

According to legend, the 28th king of Tibet, Thothori Nyantsen, dreamed of a sacred treasure falling from heaven, which contained a Buddhist sutra, mantras, and religious objects.

Buddhism did not take root in Tibet until the reign of Songtsän Gampo, who married two Buddhist princesses, Bhrikuti of Nepal and Wencheng of China.

It then gained popularity when Padmasambhāva visited Tibet at the invitation of the 38th Tibetan king, Trisong Deutson.

The prayer wheel is a means of simulating the chant of a mantra by physically revolving the object several times in a clockwise direction.

[citation needed] Tibetan art is deeply religious in nature, from the exquisitely detailed statues found in Gonpas to wooden carvings and the intricate designs of the Thangka paintings.

Rectangular and painted on cotton or linen, they usually depict traditional motifs including religious, astrological, and theological subjects, and sometimes a mandala.

To ensure that the image will not fade, organic and mineral pigments are added, and the painting is framed in colorful silk brocades.

[49] Tibetan opera was founded in the fourteenth century by Thang Tong Gyalpo, a lama and a bridge-builder.

Gyalpo and seven girls he recruited organized the first performance to raise funds for building bridges to facilitate transportation in Tibet.

Colorful masks are sometimes worn to identify a character, with red symbolizing a king and yellow indicating deities and lamas.

The most unusual feature of Tibetan architecture is that many of the houses and monasteries are built on elevated, sunny sites facing the south.

[51] Traditional Tibetan medicine utilizes up to two thousand types of plants, forty animal species, and fifty minerals.

[52] The Cuisine of Tibet reflects the rich heritage of the country and people's adaptation to high altitude and religious culinary restrictions.

In more urban places like Lhasa, men and women dress in modern clothing, and many choose to wear chuba during festivals and holidays like Losar.

There are secular texts such as The Dispute Between Tea and Chang (Tibetan beer) and Khache Phalu's Advice.