What is Lhakar?
Lhakar is a homegrown people’s movement that has emerged in Tibet. In spite of China’s intensified crackdown, Tibetans have embraced the power of strategic nonviolent resistance. Every Wednesday, a growing number of Tibetans are making special effort to wear traditional clothes, speak Tibetan, eat in Tibetan restaurants and buy from Tibetan-owned businesses. They channel their spirit of resistance into social, cultural and economic activities that are self-constructive (promoting Tibetan language, culture and identity) and non-cooperative (refusing to support Chinese institutions and businesses). Though humble in scale, these noncooperation tactics hark back to the Indian boycott of British textile at a turning point in the Indian freedom struggle.
Lhakar is a homegrown people’s movement that has emerged in Tibet. In spite of China’s intensified crackdown, Tibetans have embraced the power of strategic nonviolent resistance. Every Wednesday, a growing number of Tibetans are making special effort to wear traditional clothes, speak Tibetan, eat in Tibetan restaurants and buy from Tibetan-owned businesses. They channel their spirit of resistance into social, cultural and economic activities that are self-constructive (promoting Tibetan language, culture and identity) and non-cooperative (refusing to support Chinese institutions and businesses). Though humble in scale, these noncooperation tactics hark back to the Indian boycott of British textile at a turning point in the Indian freedom struggle.
The Tibetan word “Lhakar” (ལྷག་དཀར་) translates literally as “White Wednesday,” as Wednesday is considered special by Tibetans because it is the Dalai Lama’s soul day.
In recent years since 2008, Tibetans in Tibet and in exile have taken diverse Lhakar Pledges, resolving to boycott Made-in-China products, or to go vegetarian every Wednesday, or to read a Tibetan newspaper once a week, or to wear chuba every Wednesday, etc. Through these pledges and actions, Tibetans are coming together in the greatest noncooperation movement Tibet has ever seen.
In recent years since 2008, Tibetans in Tibet and in exile have taken diverse Lhakar Pledges, resolving to boycott Made-in-China products, or to go vegetarian every Wednesday, or to read a Tibetan newspaper once a week, or to wear chuba every Wednesday, etc. Through these pledges and actions, Tibetans are coming together in the greatest noncooperation movement Tibet has ever seen.
Why Lhakar?
As an exile Tibetan I have never really fitted in anywhere be it growing up in Kalimpong, studying in Kolkata, working in Mumbai or in US. As a result, I have tried to not "ghettoise" and adjust/adapt to my surroundings. I have come to realize that in my endeavour to "assimilate" I may have strayed a tad far away from my roots.
I keep saying “I think in English” which would have been fine as long as I could think/speak / read/write in Tibetan as well. Having failed in the latter, here I am, a Tibetan woman in her late twenties who is pretty embarrassed to say she doesn't know her alphabets in Tibetan or cannot speak in Tibetan without seeking refuge in English.
I kept postponing the learning citing many reasons but when I learnt about Lhakar I knew I had to begin.
To say I was inspired is an understatement.
I keep saying “I think in English” which would have been fine as long as I could think/speak / read/write in Tibetan as well. Having failed in the latter, here I am, a Tibetan woman in her late twenties who is pretty embarrassed to say she doesn't know her alphabets in Tibetan or cannot speak in Tibetan without seeking refuge in English.
I kept postponing the learning citing many reasons but when I learnt about Lhakar I knew I had to begin.
To say I was inspired is an understatement.
My Lhakar Pledges-What I hope to achieve( I have a feeling the list will keep growing J)
1. Learn how to read and write in both Uchen and Ume script.
(I hope to write to my father and to my late Amala to let them know what being Tibetan means to me in Tibetan)
2. Speak in Tibetan comfortably. I am throwing in learning how to speak in shesa so I can speak to elders as well.
3. Learn the days of the week (I always get confused with Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. I know it sounds lame but yes it is a problem.)
3. Learn the days of the week (I always get confused with Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. I know it sounds lame but yes it is a problem.)
4. Learn how to read out years eg 1994. I am fascinated by the way they announce it on the Tibetan news J
5. Learn the Tibetan National Anthem.
6. Record my Pala’s stories of Tibet next time I visit him.
7. Learn about the customs/rituals which need to be followed during marriage, death, shipchu-she-gu (49 days post death rituals), lomjo (one year death anniversary)
PS:
I promise to maintain an online journal of my Lhakar Journey.
I also promise to set small goals for myself and gloat when I achieve them :)
I promise to maintain an online journal of my Lhakar Journey.
I also promise to set small goals for myself and gloat when I achieve them :)
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