Who Are the Tibetans?
The Tibetans are a people of approximately 7 million living on and around the Tibetan Plateau—the "Roof of the World" averaging 4,500 meters elevation. About 6 million live within China's Tibet Autonomous Region and neighboring provinces (Qinghai, Sichuan, Gansu, Yunnan); 150,000+ live in exile in India, Nepal, and globally. They speak Tibetan (a Tibeto-Burman language) and practice Tibetan Buddhism, which thoroughly shapes their culture. China's 1950 invasion ended Tibetan independence; the Dalai Lama fled to India in 1959. Tibetans face cultural suppression and resist assimilation, making their situation one of the world's prominent human rights concerns.
Tibetan Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhism pervades every aspect of traditional Tibetan life. Monasteries dominated the landscape and economy; at its height, perhaps 20% of males were monks. The Dalai Lama tradition (established 1578) combined spiritual and temporal authority. Unique features include the tulku system (reincarnating lamas), tantric practices, elaborate rituals, and rich artistic traditions (thangka painting, sand mandalas, debate). The Chinese invasion destroyed thousands of monasteries during the Cultural Revolution; some have been rebuilt under restrictions. The 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, living in exile since 1959, remains Tibetans' spiritual leader and global advocate.
Chinese Occupation
China invaded Tibet in 1950, incorporating it into the PRC. The 1959 uprising led to the Dalai Lama's exile and massive repression. The Cultural Revolution (1966-76) destroyed virtually all monasteries and killed thousands. Since then, China has pursued policies combining economic development (infrastructure, Han migration) with cultural suppression (religious restrictions, Mandarin education, political control). Tibetans have resisted through protests (1987-89, 2008), self-immolations (over 150 since 2009), and cultural preservation efforts. China characterizes its rule as "liberation" bringing development; Tibetans and international observers document ongoing human rights violations.
Exile Community
The Tibetan exile community, centered in Dharamsala, India, maintains a government-in-exile (Central Tibetan Administration), educational institutions, and cultural preservation efforts. The Dalai Lama established democratic governance among exiles—a transition unique among traditional rulers. Exile schools teach Tibetan language and culture; monasteries recreate lineages. The exile community faces generational challenges: youth born outside Tibet, brain drain to Western countries, and uncertain future as the current Dalai Lama (born 1935) ages. His succession presents unprecedented questions given Chinese determination to control it.
Contemporary Tibet
Inside Tibet, development has brought modern infrastructure but also Han migration, environmental damage, and cultural erosion. Boarding schools separating children from families, monasteries under surveillance, and restrictions on Dalai Lama images characterize current policy. Yet Tibetan identity persists—language, religion, and cultural practices continue despite pressure. Climate change threatens Himalayan glaciers crucial to Asian water supplies. The "Tibet question" remains unresolved: China refuses negotiations; the Dalai Lama has proposed autonomy rather than independence; younger Tibetans increasingly support independence. How Tibetans preserve culture and achieve meaningful self-determination remains one of the world's most watched human rights situations.
References
- Shakya, T. (1999). The Dragon in the Land of Snows: A History of Modern Tibet Since 1947
- Goldstein, M. C. (1997). The Snow Lion and the Dragon: China, Tibet, and the Dalai Lama
- Powers, J. (2004). History as Propaganda: Tibetan Exiles versus the People's Republic of China