Tibet´s oldest woman turns 118

Until three years ago, Tsering was still able to walk around on her stick or even go shepherding. Today, she spends most time sitting or lying. Wherever she goes, her granddaughter Shaboi carries her on her back.

Tibet's oldest woman, Arme Tsering(R), celebrates her 118th  birthday at home in the northeastern suburbs of Lhasa,  March 16, 2009. (Xinhua/Soinam Norbu)

When asked about Tsering's secret of longevity, Yangjen said it was just tea, minced beef and zanba, a Tibetan food made of fried barley flour. "Plus a hot temper, maybe," she said. "My mother was very outspoken and straightforward in her younger days. Sometimes she couldn't control her temper."

Yangjen is the second of three children and the only one to survive to old age. She doesn't remember much about her father, who died of illness when she was about 8.