Name: Nyinyi
(Alias: No)
Gender: Female
Interview Age: 71
Date of Birth: 1946
Birthplace: Sakya, Utsang, Tibet
Year Left Tibet: 1966
Profession: Herding
Monk/Nun: No
Political Prisoner: No
Interview No.: 12U
Date: 2017-04-04
Language: Tibetan
Location: Sakya Tibetan Settlement, Puruwala, Himachal Pradesh, India
Categories: Oppression and Imprisonment
Keywords: Chinese -- oppression under, Chinese rule -- life under, education, escape experiences, farm life, government/administration, imprisonment, monasteries -- destruction of , taxes, thamzing/struggle sessions, Utsang
Summary:
Nyinyi was born in Sakya, Utsang Province in 1946. Although her family was wealthy, they worked hard daily on the farm and paid taxes for use of the land. She lived with her mother and uncles, one of whom worked as the great secretary of the Sakya government. Nyinyi attended a school that the occupying Chinese established, learning Chinese script and exercise drills.
Several members of Nyinyi's family were arrested by the Chinese along with other influential members of the community. They were imprisoned and subjected to thamzing 'struggle sessions.' The Chinese seized Nyinyi's family home and all their possessions. The family was forced to live in the kitchen and continued to work on the farm. Her elder siblings and many others went to construct roads for the Chinese because they paid the Tibetans well.
Nyinyi witnessed the destruction of all 108 monasteries in Sakya by the Chinese, except for the great Sakya Monastery, which the monks protected. The Chinese removed priceless valuables from the monasteries to take to China. Nyinyi's family wanted to escape, but her mother refused to leave until her uncle returned from prison. Once he was released, they left hastily fearing that he may be imprisoned again soon. Nyinyi concludes her interview by singing a few songs.
Interview Team:
- Marcella Adamski (Interviewer)
- Tenzin Yangchen (Interpreter)
- Tenzin Choenyi (Videographer)
