Interviewee Profile

Name: Dickey
(Alias: No)

Gender: Female

Interview Age: 76

Date of Birth: 1931

Birthplace: Phuma Changthang, Utsang, Tibet

Year Left Tibet: 1960

Profession: Dairy Farming

Monk/Nun: No

Political Prisoner: Yes

Interview Details

Interview No.: 68

Date: 2007-07-04

Language: Tibetan

Location: Lugsung Samdupling Settlement, Bylakuppe, Karnataka, India

Categories: Oppression and Imprisonment

Keywords: brutality/torture, childhood memories, Chinese -- oppression under, Chinese rule -- life under, escape experiences, imprisonment, nomadic life, refugee in India -- life as, thamzing/struggle sessions, Utsang, wealthy/upper class

Summary:

Dickey is from the village of Lhopra, which is located near a large lake where people traveled for pilgrimage. Her father passed away when she was young and the burden to raise four children fell on her mother. So at five years old, her mother "gave" Dickey to her uncle as an adopted daughter. She explains that adoption is an accepted practice among Tibetans, especially among siblings when one has many children and the other none.

Dickey describes her early life at her uncle's home as a happy one. Then the family endured many hardships when her uncle was captured by the Chinese and labeled a rebel because he was wealthy. Dickey recounts horrifying memories of thamzing 'struggle sessions' in which Tibetans were beaten and tortured under the direction of the Chinese. She was also imprisoned.

Dickey was married at age 23, but became separated from her husband when he fled to India in 1959. Dickey was able to escape in 1960 after being released from prison. Although she searched for her husband after reaching India, she could not locate him. Finally, she received the sad news that her husband had died in Bhutan. To sum up her experiences Dickey says, "My whole life has been suffering and nothing else."

Interview Team:

  • Sue Gershenson (Interviewer)
  • Tenzin Yangchen (Interpreter)
  • Tsewang Dorjee (Videographer)
Interview Video

Link: Watch On Youtube

Topic: Interview with Dickey on 7/4/2007

Length: 00:59:04


Short Videos

Link: Watch On Youtube

Topic: Public Beatings of Tibetans

Length: 00:03:32


© 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