Black yak-hair tents bridge nomadic culture and tourism in Xizang

Tibetan herders have used black yak-hair tents as homes since ancient times, and today, they've been adapted into a more dynamic role as a reception for tourists.

The black yak-hair tent is called bra or ba in Tibetan dialects. Near Nam Co Lake in Damshung county, Xizang autonomous region, these shelters are being hailed as a marvel of sustainable design and a bridge connecting ancient nomadic culture with modern tourism.

For generations, these tents have served as the mobile homes for Tibetan herders. Pasang, a herder at Nam Co Lake, explains that the black tents are remarkably adaptable to the harsh plateau climate. "They keep us warm in winter and cool in summer," Pasang said. "In winter, the thick yak hair blocks the wind and snow. In summer, the fabric expands when wet, making it waterproof, and contracts when dry, allowing for ventilation."

The tents are easy to assemble and dismantle. Traditionally transported by yaks and horses, their environmental footprint is virtually zero.

"When we move, there is no construction waste left behind," Pasang said. "The tent is made of pure yak hair, a natural material that can last for hundreds of years. It is the wisdom of our Tibetan ancestors."

In Nam Co village, tourists now step inside these sturdy, dark, canvas-like structures to sit around the hearth, sip butter tea, and listen to folk songs, immersing themselves in the warmth of everyday life on the grassland.