The Past of Tibet

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DIALOGE －－ Focus on Tibet

DIALOGUE has been broadcast series programs on true Tibet...

Overview: The Past of Tibet

This is a 25-minute-long documentary portraying life of Tibetan between 1951 and 1959, a period when Tibet was still under a feudal system. Detail >>

"Tibet, Past and Present"

This documentary showes you a true Tibet contrasting between the present and past days of Tibet.

Feudal Serfdom before 1959

Society variance after 1959

The 1959 Democratic Reform overthrew the dark feudal serf system, and the working class became predominant. Under the guidance of and unremitting support from the central and local governments and through the hard work of Tibet people, living standards have been increasing.

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Documentary: The Past of Tibet

Full video: The Past of Tibet

The black and white shots are taken from the documentaries made before 1960. Full story >>　　Download video >>

The Serfs' Miserable life

Worked hard for serf owners

Lived in cowshed

Lama service

Beg with shackles

Family suffering starvation

Instrument of torture

Serf with eyes gouged by owners

Hands cut by serf owners

Video in Episode

Episode I - 9 classes Tibetan

According to Old Tibetan law, Tibetans were divided into 3 categories, each was further divided into 3 classes. That meant a total of 9 classes.

Episode II - Wealth of aristocrat

This is Pala Villa. The owners´ wealth was beyond our imagination.

Episode III - Story from former serf owner

His house had about 1,000 rooms, in which there were 50 servants. His family also had 6 other estates in Tibet, and over 50 people to manage the estate.

Episode IV - Living in room without roof

Gesang Quzhen and her mother slept in a room without roof. They were always hungry, but dared not ask for food.

Episode V - Serf born in cowshed

Deqing Zhuoma´s family were serves for 4 generations. She was born in a cowshed, and she was the 4th generation serf.

Episode VI - Lama service

Before 1959, there was a practice in Tibet, that is lama service - If a family had two sons, one of them had to be a lama.

Episode VII - Cruel and savage punishments

The basement of the building was a prison, where many cruel and savage ways of punishments were practiced.

Episode VIII - Hungry prisoners

At meal time, the prisoners were sent to the streets to beg for food. Those who could not get food, would have to go hungry. The streets were full of beggars.

Episode IX - Serfs burning indentures

Democratic reform was carried out in Tibet, it put an end to the system of feudal serfdom. It turned 1million tibetan serfs into free men.