Interviewee Profile

Name: Dawa Dakpa
(Alias: No)

Gender: Male

Interview Age: 80

Date of Birth: 1933

Birthplace: Phenpo, Utsang, Tibet

Year Left Tibet: 1959

Profession: Monk

Monk/Nun: Previously

Political Prisoner: No

Interview Details

Interview No.: 27B

Date: 2014-01-02

Language: Tibetan

Location: Lugsung Samdupling Settlement, Bylakuppe, Karnataka, India

Categories: Resistance and Revolution

Keywords: childhood memories, children's games, Chushi Gangdrug guerrillas, Dalai Lama, escape experiences, government/administration, March 10th Uprising, monastic life, Norbulingka -- defense of, resistance fighters, Utsang

Summary:

Dawa Dakpa's family were samadok 'farmers and herders.' He recalls herding animals as a child and played a game called apchu with ankle bones of sheep. He was sent to join Sera Monastery at the age of 11. Dawa Dakpa learned to play the dhung 'longhorn' and gyaling 'clarinet,' and gives a demonstration. He speaks about the selection of such players and the training required.

Dawa Dakpa was in Lhasa during the March 10th Uprising of 1959, when tens of thousands gathered to prevent the Dalai Lama from going to the Chinese Headquarters. He describes the general public's antagonistic feelings towards the Tibetan Government officials and the stoning to death of an official believed to be a Chinese collaborator. Dawa Dakpa was admitted with many other monks into Norbulingka as volunteer guards.

Dawa Dakpa was determined to sacrifice his life to protect His Holiness the Dalai Lama from the Chinese. The volunteer guards felt useless without weapons and demanded that the Tibetan Government provide them with arms. Dawa Dakpa witnessed the Chinese' shelling of the Norbulingka and the Potala Palace, and the depressing scene of dead bodies after the attack. He and the other monks were greatly relieved to hear that the Dalai Lama had already safely escaped to India. There was no reason to remain and they also fled from Lhasa.

Interview Team:

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

Link: Watch On Youtube

Topic: Interview with Dawa Dakpa on 1/2/2014

Length: 02:03:40


© 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