Name: Norbu Dhondup
(Alias: No)
Gender: Male
Interview Age: 78
Date of Birth: 1929
Birthplace: Tengchen, Utsang, Tibet
Year Left Tibet: 1959
Profession: Agriculture, Dairy Farming
Monk/Nun: No
Political Prisoner: No
Interview No.: 6
Date: 2007-06-27
Language: Tibetan
Location: Lugsung Samdupling Settlement, Bylakuppe, Karnataka, India
Categories: Chinese Invasion and Occupation
Keywords: Chinese -- first appearance of, Chinese -- oppression under, Chinese rule -- life under, escape experiences, imprisonment, nomadic life, refugee in India -- life as, thamzing/struggle sessions, Utsang
Summary:
In describing his early life, Norbu Dhondup states, "I was happy when I was a nomad. The hills were full of flowers and we didn't have to feed the animals. We milked, churned the milk and made butter." His life was drastically altered when his father, a land owner, was arrested by the Chinese, who confiscated all the family's possessions and property.
After being falsely accused of supporting the Tibetan resistance fighters, his father was subjected to thamzing 'struggle sessions.' Norbu Dhondup was told to torture his own father but he refused. After arrest his father castrated himself, but survived after receiving medical treatment while imprisoned.
Norbu Dhondup fled to India with his family. Two decades later he heard that his father at age 86 was still alive after being released from 20 years imprisonment in China. Norbu Dhondup went to find his father in Lhasa and brought him back to India carrying him on his back part of the way.
Interview Team:
- Marcella Adamski (Interviewer)
- Tenzin Yangchen (Interpreter)
- Jeff Lodas (Videographer)
