In the larger towns, homes are built in clusters and many are painted with attractive designs. They are usually built with timber and thick, pounded mud walls to keep out the cold. Most of the homes have two floors, but some have as many as four. If a family owns animals, their livestock is kept on the ground floor. The roofs are made from wooden slats that have been anchored by heavy rocks.
Marriages are typically monogamous.
The women marry at about age 16, while the men wait until they are 21. Formal wedding ceremonies are not held. Newlyweds may live with the groom's family, the bride's family, or on their own, depending on where the need for farm labor is the greatest. The extended family is very important in Bhotia culture, and grandparents often look after younger family members. The Eastern Bhotia women wear beautifully woven fabrics with colorful, intricate designs.