My first footprint in Tibet
Like most of the second generation of Tibetans in exile, I had never seen Tibet. I had only read books, seen documentaries on TV, or watched video clips of popular Tibetan singers on YouTube, where you can see the beautiful landscape of the Tibetan plateau and its people.
Even though I have some knowledge of Tibet, there was something lacking, and I couldn’t avoid having a deep feeling of frustration. I realized that I need some more concrete experiences regarding my country and my people. Progressively my desire to see Tibet became more and more ardent, pressing, and almost obsessional. So this year I decided to discover the land of my parents, the “land of the red face”, as the Tibetan call themselves.
I am fortunate to have a Chinese visa, which is not the case for most of the Tibetans who tried to go to Tibet over the past year. But I couldn’t get a permit for the Tibet Autonomous Region, so I decided to go to the Tibetan part of Sichuan.
As soon as you enter the Tibetan plateau, everything becomes different – the landscape is more majestic, the light is more powerful, the nature more harmonious and people more authentic, I better understand now why Tibet has been so mystified for centuries, even though I still feel irritated whenever Tibet is seen through this angle, as if it is some sort of Shangri-La.
The difference is even more obvious with the political atmosphere. The situation is more tense than in China, the police presence is heavier and police vehicles omnipresent; on the route, villages and in counties, some areas more than others. Bigger counties still have lots of military presence as well; newly built military camps are obvious.
Despite this difficult and tense situation, I managed to meet and communicate with my people. Without doubt, this was the most remarkable aspect of my trip, specially meeting the young Tibetans; probably being a young Tibetan myself I was more sensitive to them.
I’ve found them so deep and mature for their age, they seem wise and profound, which was absolutely inspiring and moving; their attitude can be probably explained by the fact that they are directly confronted with the political reality, or maybe because they are well rooted.
Finally, this trip gave me a wonderful hope, the hope of seeing that my people and our culture will survive for a long time again. The spirit of Tibetans is higher than ever, Tibetans are more determined than ever, and more proud of being Tibetan than I’ve ever known before.
The Tibetan nightmare of Chinese leaders is far from over. Last year’s widespread peaceful protest across the Tibetan plateau was a remarkable signal of Tibetan determination, unity and solidarity.
Young Tibetans in Tibet today seem to have found a balance in preserving their Tibetan identity while living fully in the modern world. They are deeply religious at the same time as being more articulate and more political, combining traditional skills with internet/new tech savvy.
And this is exactly why the Chinese leadership should be worried, unless they decide to open their eyes and ears regarding the Tibetan issue and deal it with more respect and through dialogue.
This new generation of Tibetans in Tibet have a different face to the previous one. They seem better-informed, they have more assurance, and they are more analytical and critical. They understand what it means to be united with other Tibetan people.
It is clear that since last year something has profoundly changed specially among the young Tibetans.
Even after almost 60 years of occupation, Tibetans are more determined and stronger than ever before. This is probably our biggest weapon, so I have all the reasons for keeping hope and continue to believe that some day Tibetans will find a way to solve the Tibet issue. For the time being, the most important thing is to keep this fire of determination alive, and one of the ways of keep alive is to strengthen the relation between Tibetans in exile and in Tibet. So I encourage every young Tibetan in exile who has the opportunity to go to Tibet to do it without hesitation.
I’m sure you’ll come back transformed, just as I did.
Bhod Gyalo.
Lhamo
4 Responses to “My first footprint in Tibet”
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Dear Lhamo, tashi delek!
It is fascinating to read your impressions since we just came back from Tibet from the first time and fell in love with the people and the land. It is a beautiful place and the most pure and spiritual.
Never give up and I hope time helps us all to help Tibet. I was also touched by the strength of young people, and although I’m from Argentina and was able to visit without a problem it was harsh not to feel sad about the oppression being lived there. I can only tell everyone now to visit Tibet and to continue working towards peace and unity.
happy to see you’ve made your trip to Tibet and still optimistic
Dear Lhamo, thank you for your impressions and words that touched me. The situation for Tibet seems to be hopeless but I am sure that things will happen in the future that will bring a change. That’s what I am praying for!
Thank you for your insight, from one indigenous person to another, be strong in heart, do not give up!