Name: Dhungpa Jamyang
(Alias: No)
Gender: Male
Interview Age: 82
Date of Birth: 1930
Birthplace: Dhingri, Utsang, Tibet
Year Left Tibet: 1974
Profession: Army
Monk/Nun: No
Political Prisoner: No
Interview No.: 5D
Date: 2012-05-21
Language: Tibetan
Location: Mcleod Ganj, Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh, India
Categories: Resistance and Revolution
Keywords: army -- Tibetan, childhood memories, Chinese rule -- life under, farm life, resistance, servitude, Utsang
Summary:
Dhungpa Jamyang is from Thoe Dhingri also known as Dhingri Gangkar and his family grew crops. Since his father was a soldier in the Tibetan Army, the family moved to Shigatse, Nagchu, Chamdo and various other regions in Kham to help secure the border as part of the Gadhang Regiment.
After the death of his father Dhungpa Jamyang was inducted into the army at the age of 13. After five or six years he became a dhungpa 'conch blower' in the army. He describes his various responsibilities and trainings.
Dhungpa Jamyang went to Lhasa where he worked as a servant to a trader after the regiment was defeated by the Chinese army and permanently disbanded. He was then appointed by the Chinese as a leader of 6-7 families in his village. The families were required to cultivate crops and Dhungpa Jamyang had to evaluate their work efforts. He was not happy with his life under Chinese occupation and fled to India in 1974.
Interview Team:
- Rebecca Novick (Interviewer)
- Ronny Novick (Videographer)
- Thupten Kelsang Dakpa (Interpreter)
