Preserving Tibet

Image Copyright The New York Times
Here's a recent audio slideshow on Tibet featuring pictures by various New York Times' photographers, and narrated by a reporter, Joshua Kurlantzick.

I haven't been to Tibet, but have frequently visited Dharmasala in Northern India, which is the administrative and cultural center of the Tibetan diaspora, and the recipient of the ongoing stream of Tibetan refugees. Its refugee center is filled daily by Tibetans fleeing their homeland to find freedom, and it's a tribute to India to have maintained its hospitality for so long to Tibetans. While India's welcome is because of its historical rivalry with China, I don't think any other country could have been so generous.

For background: after the occupation by China in 1959, Tibet was divided into three parts. The eastern part - Kham, and the northern part - Amdo, were assimilated into Chinese provinces. What China now refers to as Tibet is the central part - The Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR). The Dalai Lama was not even born in this part of Tibet. Tibet is now less than half of its original size.

The total Tibetan population of TAR is now about six million, while the Chinese population is greater and increasing quickly under a policy known as sinofication. Tibet's schools are taught only in Chinese. This ongoing and concerted effort to eliminate its indigenous language endangers Tibet's culture.

One of the pictures of the slideshow that makes me cringe is of two women tourists in front of the Potola Palace, posing in traditional Tibetan garb. With the advent of the high altitude train linking Beijing and Lhasa, I'm sure the tourists influx will further increase. Whether this will preserve Lhasa and Tibetan culture is a matter of debate, but I suspect that it will "Disney-fy" the ancient culture and tradition of the region.

Here's Preserving Tibet (NYT registration may be required)