Name: Passang Dolma
(Alias: No)
Gender: Female
Interview Age: 75
Date of Birth: 1940
Birthplace: Tathun, Utsang, Tibet
Year Left Tibet: 1959
Profession: Nomad
Monk/Nun: No
Political Prisoner: No
Interview No.: 47N
Date: 2015-04-15
Language: Tibetan
Location: Jampaling, Tanahun, Gandaki, Nepal
Categories: Culture and History
Keywords: childhood memories, escape experiences, festivals, nomadic life, refugee in Nepal -- life as, Utsang
Summary:
Passang Dolma was born in Tathun in Utsang Province. Her parents had eight children. As a nomad's child she herded animals and there was no farming. She says the only work they knew was rearing animals, milking and churning curd. Passing Dolma recounts that her family migrated every summer and winter along with their five neighbors. Her favorite festival was the horse racing festival when many people gathered together.
Passang Dolma's family escaped to Mustang in Nepal leaving behind their animals and belongings when they heard about the Chinese coming. They were forced to beg for food and work on other people's lands as farmers. She met a soldier serving in the Chushi Gangdrug [Defend Tibet Volunteer Force] in Mustang and married him when she was in her 20s. Her life changed for the better when they moved to the settlement to work as weavers in the carpet factory.
Interview Team:
- Marcella Adamski (Interviewer)
- Palden Tsering (Interpreter)
- Dhiraj Kafle (Videographer)
