Methods and Techniques for Documenting and Preserving Tibetan Culture
This massive open online course (MOOC) is the first of its kind to teach intangible cultural heritage documentation entirely in Tibetan. Developed collaboratively with and taught by Tibetan instructors, the MOOC introduces students to some of the practical skills of intangible cultural heritage documentation with an eye toward long-term preservation.
Bauer, Kenneth
“New Homes, New Lives: The Social and Economic Effects of Resettlement on Tibetan Nomads (Yushu Prefecture, Qinghai Province, PRC).”
Nomadic Peoples 19, no. 2 (2015): 209-20.
Examines the effects and changes that Tibetan nomads face when resettling into more urban areas. Observes the challenges that arise and the cultural changes that take place when these families are moved into brand-new ways of life.
De Khar, Wan
“Changes in Family Material Life Among the Nomads of Northern Tibet.”
Chinese Sociology & Anthropology 35, no. 2 (Winter 2002): 65-97.
Based on an in-depth study of one village in Yaoqia township of Amdo County, analyzes changes in clothing and accessories, food and drink, housing, and other aspects of family material life in a nomadic community.
Ewing, Suzanne
“Traditions of Appearance: Adaptation and Change in Eastern Tibetan Dwellings.”
Traditional Dwellings and Settlements Review 15, no. 1 (2003): 73-84.
Explains the adaptations and changes in traditional home dwelling of Tibetan nomads. Notes the differences between the traditional forms of these dwellings to some of the actual and more practical adapted versions.
Ma, Rong
“Marriages and Spouse Selection in Tibet.” Development and Society 30, no. 1 (2001): 79-117.
Discusses the traditional methods of Tibetan nomads in selecting a spouse for marriage and the traditions of marriage within Tibetan nomadic society. Also describes some of the traditions surrounding the marriage ceremony.
Shiyong, Wang
“Challenges and Opportunities for Tibetan Farmers: Seeking Non-Farm Income.”
Asian Survey 54, no. 6 (2014): 1113-1135.
Highlights and details the variety of non-farming methods that Tibetan farmers and nomads are using as sources of income. With growing inequalities of wealth and changing rural lifestyles, alternative sources of income are becoming increasingly important.
Tan, Gillian G
In the Circle of White Stones: Moving through Seasons with Nomads of Eastern Tibet.
Seattle: University of Washington Press, 2017.
Explores relationships of Tibetan nomads with their pastoral lifestyles, their religion and faith in Buddhism, everyday cultural traditions, and their connections to the ever-changing environment of the Tibetan Plateau.
Tawa, Tashi Topgyal, Lobsang Shastri, and Vyvyan Cayley
“The Lifestyle of Nomads.”
Tibet Journal 23, no. 3 (1998): 34-49.
Looks at the traditional lifestyle and work of traditional nomadic culture in Tibet: the process of farming and animal husbandry, tools, and tasks assigned to each member of a family unit.
Wang, Yang, Jun Wang, Shuangcheng Li, and Dahe Qin
“Vulnerability of the Tibetan Pastoral Systems to Climate and Global Change.”
Ecology and Society 19, no. 4 (2014).
After noting some of the statistics, demographics, economics, and cultural practices of Tibetan nomadic pastoralism, the authors explore how climate change and globalization have placed these practices and ways of life at great risk due to their growing vulnerability.
