The tho-shae or tap dance used to be a group dance with a regular rhythm and simple, unsophisticated movements, but artistically refined and embellished in the course of time, it now displays a number of dance steps and movements. Arms curved above the head in the romantic style, the dancers mainly execute tap steps.

    The le-shae is a kind of labor song. Everywhere in Tibet a visitor often meets with scenes of people laboring in the fields or on building sites, singing rhythmically in time with their actions. The le-shae looks like a work song aimed at synchronizing movements. Hands, feet and voice all keep time, coordinating work with singing and dancing. As well as heavy manual labor, lighter work is also combined with songs and dances. Examples include sowing, weeding, reaping, sling-throwing, thread-twisting, spinning, milking and churning.

    As vast as the ocean are folk songs and dances of Tibetan. Each region has its own variations, and although some appear to be similar they each have the unique characteristics of their own region and nationality. In recent years, after a decade of suppression during the cultural revolution, efforts have been made to resurrect, keep up and develop the rich and colorful songs and dances of Tibet.