[jackie Obrian]

Yeah, there's a lot of stuff in the cultures of Buddhist countries, ethnic groups, etc. that is not actually rooted in Buddha's teachings (just as nominally-Christian cultures like American culture or wherever have influences from outside Christian scripture).

I'd say that just because Tibetans do it, doesn't make it reasonable or right. In fact, it doesn't even necessarily make it Buddhist just because the Tibetans in question have a long history of practicing Buddhism.