Interviewee Profile

Name: Wangmo
(Alias: No)

Gender: Female

Interview Age: 83

Date of Birth: 1934

Birthplace: Sakya, Utsang, Tibet

Year Left Tibet: 1959

Profession: Servant

Monk/Nun: No

Political Prisoner: No

Interview Details

Interview No.: 11U

Date: 2017-04-04

Language: Tibetan

Location: Sakya Tibetan Settlement, Puruwala, Himachal Pradesh, India

Categories: Culture and History

Keywords: business practices/livelihood, childhood memories, customs/traditions, education, escape experiences, Kham, refugee in India -- life as, Utsang

Summary:

Wangmo was born in Sakya in Utsang Province in 1934. Her father was a well-known doctor, but Wagmo's mother was like a mistress to him and he lived elsewhere. Wangmo grazed cows and combed wool when she was a child. Although she preferred spending time playing, a relative taught her how to read.

At the age of 17 or 18 Wangmo began working as a nanny for the two children of Dagchen Rinpoche, revered leader from one of two families heading the Sakya school of Tibetan Buddhism. She talks in detail about her responsibilities as a nanny of such a high-ranking family, who required that the children remain very clean and pure. Although she had many duties, including assisting Dagchen Rinpoche's wife with childbirth, the children also had tutors, playmates and attendants.

As part of the household, Wangmo travelled with the family and their retinue to Nangchen and Derge in Kham to visit the monastery of Dagchen Rinpoche's former incarnation. Later the family was forced to leave Tibet due to the heavy Chinese presence. After reaching India and moving several times, the Dagchen Rinpoche's family received sponsorship to travel to America, but had to leave Wangmo behind in India.

Interview Team:

  • Marcella Adamski (Interviewer)
  • Tenzin Yangchen (Interpreter)
  • Tenzin Choenyi (Videographer)
Interview Video

Link: Watch On Youtube

Topic: Interview with Wangmo on 4/4/2017

Length: 01:11:05


© 2009-2018 Tibet Oral History Project. These translations and transcripts are provided for individual research purposes only. For all other uses, including publication, reproduction and quotation beyond fair use, permission must be obtained in writing from: Tibet Oral History Project, P.O. Box 6464, Moraga, CA 94570-6464. Privacy Policy