“Tibetans are known for their strong family ties coupled with emotional bonds that bind generations together,” says Ngawang Tenzin who is pursuing her nursing course in Manipal College of Nursing.
Sharing her feelings with City Herald, this Tibetan gal had several issues to reveal about her homeland, which is presently going through turmoil.
“I am proud to be a Tibetan because we are known for our sacrificing nature and hard work. We lost our independence in 1959 to China and we are presently under the control of China but yet we have retained our beautiful culture. Tibet is exclusively a Buddhist nation and our religion is Buddhism. We have our culture deep rooted within us,” she says giving a brief introduction of her country and their culture.
“We have a script similar to that of Sanskrit. Tibetan language is similar to that of Bhutanese language. People of Ladakh speak a language that is similar to our language,” she says.
About the food culture in Tibet, Ngawang tells “Momos” is a very famous dish among young Tibetans. Older generation always prefers eating “Tsampa” that is mixed with tea, butter and sugar and consumed with meat.
Tsampa is the staple food of Tibetans. Another dish which is cooked very often in Tibetan homes is “Tigmo” a dough kind of dish eaten with spinach and other boiled vegetables, she added.
With regard to treatment of women in Tibetan society, she says that interestingly women in Tibet are treated equal to men.
Ngawang says “although I like India for many reasons, I also dislike India for dowry system and other sorts of ill treatment meted out at women. Tibetan girls can take their own decision and even choose their partners. Our parents do not worry if they have many daughters unlike Indian parents,” she added.
Young Tibetans remain with their parents. Nuclear family concept is never practiced among Tibetans and even the youth, she says, sacrifice for the family.
“These days many people from Tibet go abroad but they never settle there. They earn as much as they can and come back to their native place. These people earn for their family and sometimes even remain unmarried to look after their younger siblings,” she added.
The major festivals celebrated in Tibet include the birthday of Lord Buddha, besides his enlightenment day is celebrated in a bigger way.
Ngawang says “we celebrate new year like Chinese. Our new year comes around February or March, she adds.
Stating that India is good place to live, Ngawang tells, India is safer place to practice Buddhism as it is a secular country.
