The local people still hold onto many of their traditional customs and culture. Local food and drink traditionally include barley, yak meat and mutton. Barley is the main staple which is used for yak butter tea, barley wine, barley bread and in other dishes. The main religion practiced by the Jiuzhai Valley local population is the pre-Buddhism Bon or Benbo-Sec religion. It was introduced to the Aba Prefecture in the 2nd century B.C. In the 7th century, Tibetan Buddhism was introduced to the region. Although through numerous conflicts Buddhism did become prevalent, the Benbo Sec religion has survived and developed, and is now recognised as one of the five sects of Tibetan Buddhism.