The interpreter's English translation provided during this interview is potentially incomplete and/or inaccurate. If you are not fluent in Tibetan, please refer to the interview transcript for the complete and correct English translation. Read the interview transcript in English at tibetoralhistory.org/Interview...
** This interview about life in Tibet was conducted by the Tibet Oral History Project. This non-profit organization aims to preserve the history and culture of the Tibetan people by interviewing elderly Tibetan refugees about life in Tibet before and after the Chinese invasion. Learn more at www.TibetOralHistory.org.
** Interview Summary: Nyinyi was born in Sakya, Utsang Province in 1946. Although her family was wealthy, they worked hard daily on the farm and paid taxes for use of the land. She lived with her mother and uncles, one of whom worked as the great secretary of the Sakya government. Nyinyi attended a school that the occupying Chinese established, learning Chinese script and exercise drills. Several members of Nyinyi’s family were arrested by the Chinese along with other influential members of the community. They were imprisoned and subjected to thamzing ‘struggle sessions.’ The Chinese seized Nyinyi’s family home and all their possessions. The family was forced to live in the kitchen and continued to work on the farm. Her elder siblings and many others went to construct roads for the Chinese because they paid the Tibetans well. Nyinyi witnessed the destruction of all 108 monasteries in Sakya by the Chinese, except for the great Sakya Monastery, which the monks protected. The Chinese removed priceless valuables from the monasteries to take to China. Nyinyi’s family wanted to escape, but her mother refused to leave until her uncle returned from prison. Once he was released, they left hastily fearing that he may be imprisoned again soon. Nyinyi concludes her interview by singing a few songs.