Name: Namdol Dolkar
(Alias: Yes)
Gender: Female
Interview Age: 78
Date of Birth: 1935
Birthplace: Chamdo, Kham, Tibet
Year Left Tibet: 1981
Profession: Nun
Monk/Nun: Currently
Political Prisoner: No
Interview No.: 26B
Date: 2014-01-01
Language: Tibetan
Location: Lugsung Samdupling Settlement, Bylakuppe, Karnataka, India
Categories: Oppression and Imprisonment
Keywords: brutality/torture, childhood memories, Chinese -- first appearance of, Chinese -- oppression under, forced labor, imprisonment, Kham, March 10th Uprising, starvation, sterilization, thamzing/struggle sessions
Summary:
Namdol Dolkar was born in Chamdo. After her mother's death, she looked after her four younger siblings. She also tended the store where the family sold goods from Dhartsedo.
When the Chinese first arrived in Chamdo Namdol Dolkar was 14 years old. She recalls a great panic amongst the townspeople and shops closed to avoid selling goods to the Chinese. The Chinese attempted to lure Tibetans to their aid with the initial approach of posing as humble, generous and helpful. Then the Chinese gradually changed their attitude and created hostilities between the Tibetans and Chinese.
After moving to Lhasa as a bride, Namdol Dolkar witnessed the Chinese attack on the Potala and Norbulingka Palaces. Many people and animals were killed in the streets and their bodies burned. She was labeled a reactionary and subjected to oppression as a community prisoner performing hard labor. She gives describes instances of torture, imprisonment and thamzing 'struggle sessions.' Death and suicide became commonplace. Namdol Dolkar and many others suffered from starvation when the Chinese restricted food distribution.
Interview Team:
- Marcella Adamski (Interviewer)
- Tenzin Yangchen (Interpreter)
- Pema Tashi (Videographer)
