In the Himalayan valley of Dharamshala, India, a group of Tibetan children bring joy and laughter to those around them, despite facing numerous challenges as refugees in a boarding school. Their playful energy is a poignant reminder of the resilience of Tibetan culture.
A Glimpse into Tibetan Culture in Dharamshala, India
I was resting near a playground between interviews for a story on the shrinking number of Tibetan kids in a boarding school built for them in the northern Indian city of Dharamshala. This Himalayan valley is where the Dalai Lama settled after fleeing Tibet, and so did thousands of Tibetan refugees. The Tibetan diaspora in India is much smaller now, but the school continues to take in Tibetan children as boarders and teaches them about their heritage.
As I waited, a few girls rushed out of a building, scrambling up play equipment and goading each other to jump off a platform that looked high for little ones. A woman walked out – a housemother or a teacher – and scolded the girls in Tibetan. They nodded obediently, and as soon as the woman turned her back, they were back to jumping off the platform again.
The Dalai Lama is the spiritual leader of the Tibetan people and a prominent figure in Buddhism.
Born Lhamo Thondup, he was recognized as the reincarnation of the 13th Dalai Lama at age four.
He fled Tibet after China's invasion in 1959 and has since lived in exile.
The Dalai Lama advocates for peace, compassion, and non-violence, and his message has resonated globally.
He has received numerous awards for his efforts, including the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989.
I couldn’t help but laugh at their antics. I have a soft spot for cheeky kids, and I love seeing how children, no matter where they are, find a way to play. This scene was a brief respite from my more serious work – capturing the stories of Tibetan refugees in India.
The Tibetan refugee crisis refers to the mass exodus of Tibetans from their homeland in the Himalayas, primarily due to political and cultural repression by China.
Since the 1950s, over 100,000 Tibetans have fled to India and Nepal, with many more remaining in Tibet.
The refugees face challenges such as language barriers, cultural adaptation, and limited access to education and employment opportunities.
The contrast between the playful moments and the harsh realities of their lives is a poignant reminder of the complexities of displacement. Despite facing numerous challenges, these young girls were free to be children, laughing and playing without a care in the world.
The Resilience of Tibetan Culture
As I looked around me, I realized that this school was more than just a place of refuge – it was a hub of cultural preservation. The teachers and staff worked tirelessly to teach the next generation about their heritage, from traditional clothing to ancient customs.
Tibetan culture is a unique blend of Buddhist and indigenous traditions.
The Tibetan people have a deep connection with their environment, which is reflected in their art, literature, and spiritual practices.
Their traditional clothing, known as chubas, are intricately designed and often feature intricate patterns and colors.
Tibetan cuisine is also distinct, featuring dishes such as 'momos (dumplings)' and 'thukpa (noodle soup)'.
The Tibetan language, written in the Ume script, has a rich literary history with famous works like 'The Tibetan Book of the Dead'.
The girls’ playful energy was infectious, and I found myself smiling as I watched them at play. Yet, beneath the surface, there were stories of struggle and adaptation that I knew I had to tell.
