- 20/06/2025
Inside Tibet is a 1943 American documentary short film that captures a U.S. military and diplomatic mission traveling from Gangtok, India, to Lhasa, Tibet during World War II. The journey takes the expedition through the Natu La and Kechu La passes, stopping at the British trail station in Gyantse, reviewing troops of the Tropji Regiment, and crossing the Brahmaputra River. The film showcases Tibetan natives, terrain, travel facilities, housing, a New Year religious festival, and the Dalai Lama’s palaces and monasteries. Known for its rare footage of Tibet during the war, the documentary provides a fascinating glimpse into the region’s culture and strategic importance at the time.
Credential
Produced by the Field Photographic Branch, Office of Strategic Services
#InsideTibet1943 #SilentCinema #ClassicHollywood #Documentary #WartimeExploration #EarlyCinema
Credential
Produced by the Field Photographic Branch, Office of Strategic Services
#InsideTibet1943 #SilentCinema #ClassicHollywood #Documentary #WartimeExploration #EarlyCinema
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00THE END
00:30THE END
01:00THE END
01:30THE MISSION IS DEEPLY INDEBTED TO THE OFFICES OF THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA, THE DALAI LAMA OF TIBET, OFFICIALS OF HIS CABINET AND THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT. IT WAS SOLELY THROUGH THEIR COOPERATION THAT THIS TRIP WAS MADE POSSIBLE.
01:42THE UNDERTAKING ORIGINATED AT GANGTAK SIKIM, WHERE THE POLITICAL OFFICER FOR BUTAN, SIKIM AND TIBET HAS HIS RESIDENCY AND ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE.
01:52TRAVEL TO GIANSI WAS SLOW AND TEDIOUS OVER THE HIMALAYAN BARRIER. FROM THERE THE ONLY FORMIDABLE OBSTACLE WAS THE CROSSING OF THE BRAMAPUTRA RIVER, AFTER WHICH THEY ARRIVED AT LASA, THE HUB OF TIBETAN LIFE.
02:04THE TWO AMERICAN OFFICERS STAYED THREE MONTHS IN LASA, CONTINUED TO JAKUNDO AND THEN ON TO LAN CHAO IN THE CANSU PROVINCE OF NORTHERN CHINA.
02:14THEY COVERED AN APPROXIMATE STANCE OF 1300 MILES, WHICH MEASURED IN TIME AND OVER 100 DAYS IN THE SADDLE.
02:23JUST PRIOR TO OUR DEPARTURE FROM SIKIM, WE DISPLAYED THE GIFTS SENT BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES TO THE DALAI LAMA OF TIBET.
02:30AT THE BRITISH MISSION TO BID US GOD SPEED WERE SER BASSAL GOULD, BRITISH POLITICAL OFFICER, PRIME MINISTER BOU TAN, RANI DORJI AND THE DAUGHTER OF THE MAHARAJA OF SIKIM.
02:45SHE IS EXAMINING ONE OF THE GIFTS, A CHRONOGRAPHIC WATCH WHICH TELLS THE TIME OF DAY, DAY OF WEEK, MONTH OF YEAR AND MOON PHASES.
02:53KANCHIN JUNGA, A FAMOUS LANDMARK IN THIS LOCAL, IS THE SECOND HIGHEST MOUNTAIN IN THE HIMALAYAS.
03:02ITS SNOWCLAD PEAK TOWERS 28,000 FEET INTO THE SKIES OF SIKIM.
03:06NATULAH PASS, OUR CARAVAN BEGINS ITS HAZARDOUS JOURNEY ACROSS THE HIMALAYAS INTO THE HIDDEN COUNTRY BEYOND, AND WE CROSS THE BOUNDARY INTO TIBET.
03:21BECAUSE OF THE DIFFICULTY OF TRANSPORTATION, WE CARRY ONLY THE BARE ESSENTIALS, AS WE EXPECT TO LIVE ON THE COUNTRY ALONG THE WAY.
03:27A PACK TRAIN LOADED WITH POTATOES FOR INDIA PASSES US ON THE TRAIL.
03:36POTATOES ARE ONE OF THE MINOR EXPORTS OF THE COUNTRY.
03:41TIBET, HIDDEN BEYOND THE IMPREGNABLE WALLS OF THE HIMALAYAS, IS A LAND OF MYSTERY AND MYSTICISM.
03:48ITS RUGGED AND PRIMITIVE BEAUTY CAN BE ENJOYED ONLY BY THOSE WHO WILL ENDURE STRENUOUS TRAVEL TO ALMOST INACCESSIBLE REGIONS.
03:54TRAVELING ACROSS THE TREACHEROUS PASSES, THE BLEAK AND FORBIDDING DESERT WASTE, WE SEE WHAT HAS MADE EVERY PHASE OF THE TIBETAN'S LIFE A STRUGGLE.
04:04YET THREE MILLION HARDY COURAGEOUS PEOPLE CALL THIS LAND THEIR HOME.
04:08IN SOME SECTIONS THEY LIVE ALMOST ENTIRELY ON A DIET OF MEAT.
04:12AND ONLY THE PRIVILEGED FAMILIES CAN ENJOY BARLEY, AS THAT FOOD MUST BE TRANSPORTED UNDER GREAT DIFFICULTIES FROM THE DISTANT VALLEYS.
04:19IN THE VALLEYS MEAT BECOMES A LUXURY AND THE MAIN DIET IS BARLEY MIXED WITH BUTTERED TEA AND CALLED SOMBA.
04:26ACCORDING TO GEOOLOGIST, IN CENTURIES PAST, MOST OF TIBET WAS GLACIER COUNTRY.
04:32AS IT BECAME HABITABLE, NOMADS FROM ALL DIRECTIONS THREADED THEIR WAY THROUGH THE NARROW PASSES AND BUILT THEIR HOMES IN THE FEW FERTILE VALLEYS.
04:39THE FIRST OVERNIGHT STOP IS AT CHEMBETUNG.
04:53THE BRITISH HAVE ESTABLISHED TRAVELERS QUARTERS FOR THIRTEEN DAYS ALONG THE ROAD INTO THE INTERIOR.
04:58THESE STATIONS ARE SPACED ONE DAY'S TRAVEL APART.
05:02ALL TRANSPORTATION IS ON FOOT OR BY RIDING ANIMAL.
05:06THE TRAILS OF TIBET ARE TOO NARROW FOR WHEELLED VEHICLES, EVEN IF THEY ATTEMPTED TO USE THEM.
05:11WITH NATULA BEHIND US, OUR CARAVAN OF 35 MULES AND 15 NATIVE TRAVELERS MOVES ON.
05:22THE ROAD TO LASA, LIKE OTHER ROADS ACROSS TIBET AND CENTRAL ASIA, IS A WELL-WORN TRAIL.
05:28OVER THESE ROUTS FOR CENTURIES CARAVANS HAVE CARRIED THE MERCHANDISE OF THE EAST.
05:32TEA, RICE, GOLD, MUSK, SILK, JADE AND FURS.
05:35AT YATUNG, THE BRITISH GUARD OF HONOR, TURNS OUT TO GREED US.
05:42THEY ARE NATIVE INDIAN TROOPS UNDER BRITISH COMMAND EQUIPPED WITH ENFIELD RIFLES.
05:46WE MEET A GAYLY DRESSED BRIDAL PARTY ON ITS WAY TO INDIA, WHERE A LASA DEBUTANT IS TO BE MARRIED TO THE SON OF A RAJA.
05:54MARRIAGES, LIKE OTHER PHASES OF TIBETAN SOCIAL LIFE, MUST RECEIVE THE BLESSING AND APPROVAL OF THE BUDDHIST CHURCH.
05:59AFTER A SLIGHT REST AT YATUNG, WE ARE GIVEN A SENDOFF BY THE HONOR GUARD.
06:10WE PASS A TYPICAL VILLAGE SITUATED ON THE NARROW PLANE AT THE FOOT OF THE EVER PRESENT AND TOWERING MOUNTAINS.
06:16WE PASS A TYPICAL VILLAGE SITUATED ON THE NARROW PLANE AT THE FOOT OF THE EVER PRESENT AND TOWERING MOUNTAINS.
06:30THE TALLEST ONE, 24,000 FEET HIGH, IS CALLED CHOMEL HARI, MEANING QUEEN OF THE SNOWS.
06:40A SHIPMENT OF WOOL AND MARMOT HIDES TRANSPORTED IN TYPICAL TIBETAN STYLE PASSES US ON ITS WAY TO THE MARKETS OF INDIA.
06:58WOOL IS THE CHIEF EXPORT AND PRINCIPAL SOURCE OF REVENUE.
07:01THE WOOL IS TRADED TO INDIA FOR MANUFACTURED GOODS AND TO CHINA AND NEIGHBORS ON THE EAST FOR PORCELON, HORSES, PRECIOUS SATINS AND BROCADES.
07:12ON THE 13TH DAY WE REACH GYANSI, THE LAST BRITISH TRADE AND MAIL POST ON THE ROAD TO Lhasa
07:19AND ARE MET BY AN HONOR GUARD OF SEAPOY MOUNTED INFANTRY.
07:25OUR AMERICAN FLAG AND THE BRITISH FLAG ARE RAISED TOGETHER IN A GESTURE OF FRIENDSHIP.
07:29OUR FIRST OFFICIAL WELCOME WAS RENDERED BY MAJOR GLOYN AND TIBETAN NOTABLES.
07:46THESE GIFTS FROM THE NATIVE OFFICIALS REPRESENT A CONSIDERABLE SACRIFICE ON THEIR PART
07:51AND HAVE FAR GREATER VALUE THAN THE OCCIDENTAL CONCEPTION OF SUCH PRESENTS.
07:54NO OTHER OFFERING COULD HAVE BEEN MORE WELCOME THAN THE MEAT, EGGS, BARLEY AND BUTTER.
08:03WE RETURNED THEIR HOSPITALITY BY INVITING OUR TIBETAN FRIENDS TO A RECEPTION HELD AT THE HOME OF MAJOR GLOYN, THE ACTING BRITISH TRADE AGENT.
08:11THE THROATY WAIL OF THE CEREMONIAL HORNS HEROLED THE OPENING OF THE ANNUAL RITUAL CALLED RINZI TARI, THE MOST IMPORTANT CEREMONY AT GIANCI MONASTERY.
08:27THIS, LIKE ALL OTHER RELIGIOUS CEREMONIES, IS DRAMATIC PROOF TO THE PEOPLE THAT THE PRIESTS OF THE LAMA CHURCH HAVE OVERPOWERED AND SUBDUED THE EVIL SPIRITS.
08:38THIS PARTICULAR PAGEANT MAKES A BID FOR PROSPERITY DURING THE COMING YEAR.
08:42BY THE TIME WE WITNESSED THE CEREMONIES AT GIANCI, WE BEGAN TO FEEL THAT RELIGION IS THE PREDOMINANT INFLUENCE THAT CONTROLS THE PEOPLE OF THIS VAST LAND.
08:52THE WIZARD PRIEST WEARING BEAUTIFUL ROBES OF CHINESE BROCADE HUNDREDS OF YEARS OLD AND ELABORATE HEADDRESSES CROWNED WITH ORNAMENTAL COIL SERPENTS ENGAGE THE EVIL SPIRITS, EVENTUALLY OVERPOWERING THEM, THEREBY ASSURING THE PEOPLE OF CONTINUED PROSPERITY.
09:15OUR CHARMING HOST, THE ABBOT ADMINISTRATOR OF THE MONASTERY.
09:19THE SKELETON DANCERS REPRESENTING EVIL SPIRITS WHO ASSAIL HELPLESS MANKIND.
09:33THE DANCE OF THE LION SPIRITS.
09:43AND THE DWARFS REPRESENTING THE FRIENDLY SPIRITS OF ENDIA.
09:50MAJOR GLORIN'S HONOR GUARD GIVES US A MILITARY SEND-OFF.
09:58OUR HORSES ARE SMALL BUT STURDY.
10:01THE ONLY DIFFICULTY IS TRYING TO LOOK DIGNIFIED RIDING THEM.
10:04THE EASTERN MAGISTRATE OF GIANCI ALSO COMES OUT TO SEE US OFF.
10:12A YAK CARAVAN CARRYING BARLEY.
10:17THE VERY EXISTENCE OF THE TIBETANS DEPENDS UPON THE YAK.
10:20IT FURNISHES FOOD IN THE FORM OF BUTTER, MILK, AND MEAT, BESIDES TRANSPORTATION AND FUEL.
10:27THE LONG HAIR IS WOVEN INTO CLOTH FOR TENTS.
10:30AND THE TOUGH HIDE IS MADE INTO A VARIETY OF LEATHER PRODUCTS.
10:33OUR TRAVEL ON FAIRLY EVEN GROUND WAS SHORT LIVED.
10:44AND WE START OUR ASCENT INTO DIFFICULT AND MOUNTAINESS SECTIONS.
10:48RIDING UP TO CARULA PASS, ONE OF THE LAST BARRIERS BEFORE LASA.
10:54AT THE SUMMIT, PRAYER FLAGS WHIP IN THE WIND.
10:57EVERY PASS IS ADORNED WITH FLAGS LIKE THESE.
11:00ONE OF OUR ESCORTS PUTS UP A FLAG OF THANKSGIVING TO THE MOUNTAIN GODS FOR A SAFE CROSSING.
11:05AND WE BEGIN THE DESCENT INTO THE VALLEY.
11:08WE CANNOT PRAISE TOO HIGHLY THE ANIMALS OF THIS COUNTRY.
11:12THEIR APPEARANCE BELIES THEIR STURDINESS.
11:14AND THEY ARE CAPABLE OF CARRYING AMAZING LOADS.
11:18THEY ARE CONSIDERED THE MOST SUREFOOTED IN THE WORLD.
11:21AND OFTEN WE ENTRUSTED OUR LIVES TO THEIR INSTINCTIVE SENSE OF BALANCE.
11:30BRAMAPUTRA, ONE OF THE THREE GREAT RIVERS OF TIBET.
11:39WE ARE MET BY OFFICIALS TO EXPEDITE OUR CROSSING.
11:41ALL ALONG THE ROUTE THE TIBETANS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF OUR COMING.
11:45AND HAVE GIVEN US A WELCOME OF HONOR.
11:50WOOL CARAVANS AND PACK TRAINS ARE FERRIED ACROSS IN LONG, FLAT-BOTTOMED BARGES.
11:55CROSSING THE RIVER IS AS DIFFICULT AS MOST OTHER TRANSPORTATION PROBLEMS.
11:59THE ANIMALS, BEWILDERED AND STUBBORN, MUST BE COXED, COERCED, AND PHYSICALLY SHOVED INTO THE FERRYING BARGE.
12:04IN THE RAINY SEASON, THE BOATMAN CANNOT MANEUVER THE UNWIELDLY BARGES.
12:09AND TRANSPORTATION DEPENDS UPON THE CORACLE, A SMALL TUB-LIKE BOAT MADE OF WILLOWS AND COVERED WITH SKIN.
12:16HOWEVER, DURING THIS TIME OF THE YEAR, ONLY THE PRIVILEGED PASSENGERS RIDE IN THEM.
12:20THE CLUMBSY BARGES WITH THEIR HEAVY LOADS ARE TEDIOUSLY ROAD ACROSS WITH THE HELP OF EDDY CURRENTS.
12:38TIBETANS ARE INHERENTLY SOCIABLE AND ON THE SLIGHTEST PROVOCATION PAUSE IN THEIR LABORS TO VISIT OVER A CUP OF TEA.
12:44NATIVE DRIVERS CONGREGATE AT THE FERRY CROSSING. TEA IS THE CHIEF DRINK OF THE COUNTRY, MADE OF BARLEY, SALT AND BUTTER.
12:53IT GIVES THEM RESISTANCE TO HUNGER AND COLD. THEY DRINK ANYWHERE FROM 30 TO 50 CUPS A DAY.
12:58A MOCK WHO BECAME OUR PERMANENT GUIDE PRESENTS US WITH GREETING SCARF FROM THE DALAI LAMA AND A LETTER FROM THE FOREIGN OFFICE.
13:11THE SCARF IS THE TIBETAN'S CALLING CARD. DURING OUR STAY WE EXCHANGED HUNDREDS OF THEM.
13:17ESCORTED BY OUR GUIDE, WE PROCEED TOWARDS LASA.
13:29TWO MILES FROM THE CITY OF LASA, THE AMERICAN OFFICERS CAPTAIN BROOK DOLAN AND MAJOR ELIA TOLSTOY ARE WELCOME BY BRITISH, CHINESE AND INDIAN NOTABLES AND THE OFFICIAL REPRESENTATIVES OF THE CHURCH AND STATE OF TIBET.
13:42LATER AT THE TIBETAN RECEPTION, WE ARE PRESENTED WITH GIFTS FROM THE DALAI LAMA AND HIS COURT, CEREMONIAL SCARVES, RICE AND TEA.
13:56THE DALAI LAMA SEND HIS OWN BODYGUARD, THE TROPCHI REGIMENT, TO GREET US.
14:12THIS IS A RARE OCCASION, THE FIRST TIME IN HISTORY WHEN AN HONOR GUARD HAS TURNED OUT TO GREET AMERICANS.
14:17IT CREATES GREAT EXCITEMENT. WE REVIEW THEIR INFANTRY AND THEIR PRACTICAL NATIVE ATTIRE.
14:24AS WE APPROACH THE CITY, WE ENJOY OUR FIRST GLIMPSE OF THE MAGNIFICENT 17TH CENTURY WINTER PALACE OF THE DALAI LAMA.
14:40AND ON A NEARBY HILL, THE TEMPLE OF THE HEALING BUDDHA.
14:44THROUGH THE WEST GATE WITH ITS CHOTAN PEAKED DOME, PASS MONKS FROM REMOTE LAMISERIES, NATIVES, PILGRIMS, MERCHANTS AND TRADERS.
14:50THE POPULATION OF THE CITY IS ESTIMATED AT 20,000.
15:05THE POPULATION OF THE CITY IS ESTIMATED AT 20,000.
15:12city is estimated at 20,000. Lhasa maintains contact with the outside world through the
15:17medium of a telegraph line used principally in trading relations with India. Little of
15:22the city is modernized, the installation of electric lights in 200 homes being probably
15:27the most conspicuous evidence. All year round the people use their rooftops to wash and
15:32cook, work and play. The Punggang family. The wealth of Tibet is concentrated in 20 of these
15:42official families. Twice a Dalai Lama has been born into this circle. The father is a cabinet
15:53minister and his son's wife, shown carrying her baby daughter, was an Indian princess before her
15:58marriage. Frequently families engage the services of priests to pray solely for them.
16:11This school is attended by children of mixed common and noble blood. It is conducted by a monk who is
16:22also the telegraph operator. Two brothers of the Dalai Lama are students. The one shown here,
16:30richly dressed, bears a striking resemblance to the young pontiff.
16:40These uniquely dressed men are not pas or Tibetan sorcerers, not recognized yet tolerated by the
16:46church. Their strange drums and bells are supposed to drive away the devil. They wander to all corners
16:53of the country invoking the spirit of an Indian wizard who came in the eighth century and delivered the
16:58Tibetans from the devils who allegedly tormented them.
17:08The favorite game of the children is chibi. The object is to keep the feather bird in the air as long as
17:13possible. No easy trick. Small fry here ties his bird to a string.
17:22Tibet is still unaffected by the machine age. Hauling, planting and harvesting are all done by primitive
17:28methods. The laborers, content with their lot, chant as they work.
17:37The kambah dancers roam about Tibetan troops living on the bounty of their audiences.
17:43They give performances in the small villages, in the streets, at the homes of the wealthy,
17:47and anywhere they can find spectators to contribute.
17:52This particular troupe is considered the most talented in all Tibet and came to Lhasa for the
17:57five weeks of the New Year festival. In the great religious communities they furnish the only
18:02entertainment of a theatrical nature. Their steps are the closest relation to folk dancing that is
18:08known in Tibet. Although the capers and gyrations can hardly be called original, they do give us an
18:15insight into the characteristics of the Tibetan people. Few races would have the stamina to engage
18:21in this performance, especially in the rarefied air of 12,000 feet, and yet these entertainers may put on
18:28several shows a day. The Tibetans populate a country where only the rigorous may survive.
18:34These folks laugh readily, have a happy disposition, make friends quickly, and rivalry is always good-natured.
18:50The grand finale of their performance is the free-for-all competition of the leading dancers.
18:59They choose their own style and give it their all.
19:29The portal law in all its inspiring glory towers above the city of Lhasa just as the Buddhist religion
19:51dominates the life of the people. Under its gold-encrusted roofs are the tombs of the previous
19:57Dalai Lamas in jewel-studded sepulchres.
20:10The great road links the portal law, winter home of the Dalai Lama, with the Summer Palace,
20:15his residence from May until October.
20:20The Lion of Tibet guards the gate of the Summer Palace.
20:24The grounds cover over 500 acres of gardens and animal preserves.
20:28The architecture of its buildings is considerably influenced by the Orientals,
20:32but its singular splendor is truly Tibetan.
20:37The ornaments bordering the roofs are covered with a layer of pure gold.
20:41The workmanship reflects the patience and inspiration of the people
20:45that contributed these buildings to their Dalai Lamas.
20:52The present Dalai Lama is 10 years old and will not assume absolute control of his people
20:58until he reaches 18.
21:00In the intervening years, the regent directs his studies and activities
21:04and is the temporary ruler of Tibet.
21:06There is no higher authority religious or civil.
21:10During the absence of the Dalai Lama in the winter months,
21:13a major domo is in charge of the Summer Palace.
21:17This dazzling jade drinking cup with its gold cover and stand
21:21is the personal cup of the Dalai Lama.
21:23Our guide stands before a cloisonné elephant,
21:31which was presented many years ago to a former Dalai Lama
21:35by a member of the Chinese nobility.
21:38These are gifts that were presented to President Roosevelt
21:41by His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
21:47These exquisite religious tapestries known as Tonkas
21:50are unrivaled for their detailed handiwork.
22:20The Summer Palace is the home of many types of animals.
22:27Amongst them a pony,
22:30mules,
22:40a spotted pony,
22:41a deer,
22:48a wild ass,
22:55some of his favorite ponies in the stable,
23:01wild blue sheep,
23:02camels which have been relieved of further labor,
23:16and the Tibetan mastiff,
23:18blood relation to the Saint Bernard,
23:21the grounds of the Temple of the Serpent Demi-God.
23:26Wildlife enjoys complete safety in all of Tibet,
23:29as it is contrary to their religious precepts
23:32to kill any animals or birds other than sheep and yak.
23:48Traveling according to custom,
23:50with their servants preceding them,
23:52the Cabinet Ministers are coming to a party at the British Mission,
23:56where we enjoyed the hospitality of Mr. Ludlow.
24:01Servants help their masters dismount.
24:10Our monk guide, who is usually late, arrives alone.
24:15A whole mutton is roasted for the occasion.
24:18The luncheon was given at the British Mission,
24:20for the Kashag, or Cabinet members,
24:23and other lay and ecclesiastical officials.
24:30During the luncheon,
24:31we asked the three Cabinet members to pose for their pictures.
24:35Also, high government directors of the Foreign Office.
24:54Lay officials.
25:05And luminaries from the Monastery.
25:35With typical Tibetan pomp,
25:38our guests take their leave.
25:45Shortly after the party at the British Mission,
25:47we were invited to the beautiful palace of the Sorong family.
25:51The residence is one of the show places of Lhasa,
25:54and evidences the dignity, wealth, and influence
25:57with which these powerful families are blessed.
25:59We were presented with an up-so,
26:03a cute little Tibetan terrier, which became our mascot.
26:08Although Tibet is isolated from what we consider the civilized world,
26:12we found a highly developed culture.
26:15People conduct themselves with dignity and restraint.
26:18Their features are finely proportioned,
26:20and the women are strikingly attractive.
26:22Lhasa is surrounded by monasteries housing 40,000 monks.
26:35We are here being shown through the Serra Monastery,
26:37which itself provides living quarters for 6,000.
26:43We are preceded by Provo monks with their padded shoulders.
26:52The De Pong Monastery, with its 10,000 members,
26:59is the largest monastery in the world.
27:02Novices from the age of five and resident monks
27:05attend the examinations of the three candidates
27:07for the Doctor of Divinity.
27:09It takes 15 to 20 years study and training
27:11before they are eligible to qualify for the degree.
27:15Those that fail, and only if very influential,
27:18may take the examination again about 10 years later.
27:22The candidates are examined for eight days
27:24by learned members of the order.
27:26The examiner slaps one hand into the other and shouts,
27:29answer.
27:30If the student answers wrong,
27:32he is given a severe slap on the arm.
27:35The candidate under examination wears a yellow helmet.
27:38If he passes, he gets an extra row of stitching on the crest.
27:51The monks take over the city for the five-week festival of Losar,
27:56or New Year, 20,000 coming from the great monasteries.
28:00But to ensure law and order among the fun-loving Tibetans,
28:04Provo monks with long poles keep the unruly in line.
28:07These members of the Punggang family are wearing the finery for the New Year festival.
28:16The Tibetan sense of beauty is manifested by the exquisite blending of costly silk brocades,
28:21an elaborate array of semi-precious jewels.
28:24The seed pearls, coral, turquoise, jade, gold, and onyx,
28:28are expertly fabricated into exotic and original designs.
28:32The headdress, encrusted with seed pearls,
28:35must be worn by all women of the noble families during the five weeks of the New Year ceremony.
28:41If they should go out upon the streets without this headdress,
28:44they would be sent home by a monk.
28:53Families from the seventh grade of nobility on up
28:56are leaving the Polala after paying homage to the Dalai Lama as temporal ruler.
29:02Nobody lower than the seventh grade of nobility is allowed an audience.
29:05The opening ceremony of the New Year is the reenactment of a legendary battle.
29:12The Tibetans are great lovers of tradition and legends.
29:15During the festival, they find many opportunities to pay respect to their forefathers.
29:20The soldiers are wearing the armor of the 16th, 17th century.
29:24The exceptionally dry air of Tibet has preserved the armor perfectly.
29:30Even the chamois links between the plates of mail look like new.
29:35The privileged gather in the Potala Courtyard for the approaching pageant.
29:51Posham, humorously depicting the god of wealth, is escorted to his seat of honor.
29:56In the initial part of this ceremony, the evil spirits do their dancing unmolested
30:05and represent the threatening forces to be overcome by the church.
30:13And down the loaded air, there comes the thunder of Tibetan drums.
30:16The spirits continue their menacing ritual.
30:33Every year, this little skit is presented reenacting a dream of the late Dalai Lama,
30:38in which an old man overpowers a tiger, thereby proving the indomitable strength of humanity.
30:43Outside the Potala, the feature of the second day's ceremony is the pole-sitting act.
31:05Outside the Potala, the feature of the second day's ceremony is the pole-sitting act.
31:09The rug on the ground symbolizes suffering mankind.
31:19Ghouls dance around it, but the spirit is protected by the powers of the llamas.
31:23The wizard priests, with their black hats, enter the dance and overpower the evil spirits.
31:38The wizard priests, with their black hats, enter the dance and overpower the evil spirits.
31:50Here the rug symbolizes the enemies of the church.
31:59An evil spirit, that has been coerced by the wizard priests, performs around this figure.
32:06In the center of the heart, lungs, liver and intestines of the enemy,
32:10which are hypothetically torn from the body and thrown into a cauldron of boiling oil and wine,
32:15and dramatically destroyed.
32:26Another symbol of corralled evil spirits is carried down to the Potala yard, and will also be burned.
32:32The regent and his escorts are en route to visit the oracle.
32:52Every year, he pays his respect to the prophet and receives the predictions for the coming year.
32:57The regent with his colorful entourage of civil and church nobility returns to Lhasa,
33:11after receiving the augury from the oracle.
33:15The nobleman's affiliation and rank can often be determined by their headdress.
33:27In the archery contest, the servants are the sole participants.
33:35Their remarkable strength is well attested by the 400 yards they can shoot an arrow.
33:42The arrow is picked up from where it strikes the ground,
33:45and is marked with the name of the contestant and his record.
33:57Monk provosts are still kept busy maintaining order.
34:12Merchants and politicians present scarves to the city officials and nobility.
34:16And then the officials and noblemen pay homage to representatives of the regent.
34:35One of the last functions of the new year's celebration
34:39is the concentration of all evil spirits and enemies of the church in one symbolic figure,
34:44which in turn will be destroyed.
34:46From a vantage point overlooking the Potala grounds,
34:49the regent, present ruler of Tibet, witnesses the pageant.
34:57The last event of the new year's festival is the annual cavalry show.
35:02For this occasion, the noble families must furnish six to fifteen men and horses,
35:06depending on their official position.
35:09The riders must be appropriately armed, clothed and mounted.
35:14This cavalry has no military function,
35:29and is but another evidence of the Tibetans' love for tradition.
35:33These costumes are the very same ones that were used several hundred years ago
35:37by the men who protected their country.
35:39The appearance and performance of the participants at this contest are judged,
35:45and much of the sponsoring nobleman's prestige depends upon the results of this ceremony.
35:56The sponsors and cavalry officers.
36:07The following day, each rider, still heavily clothed and mounted on a small fleet pony,
36:14races down the field course.
36:16At a full gallop, he must fire at the first target,
36:19then sling his matlock over his shoulder,
36:21haul out his bow and arrow, and try to register a bullseye on the second one.
36:25What Mecca is to the Mohammedans, the Potala is to the Buddhists.
36:35Some pilgrims begin their homage on the great road, although most confine their prostrating to the holy walk.
36:43The holy walk is seven miles in length and encircles the Potala.
36:47Fervent pilgrims repeatedly prostrate themselves as they win their torturous circuit.
36:54Each time this follower stops to pray, he turns at right angles to the walk,
36:59falls prone on his stomach, then rises and salutes the Potala.
37:04Properly done, it takes two days to complete the ritual.
37:08Members of wealthy families often pay this type of worshiper to represent them.
37:13On the rock walls are artists' conceptions of the celestial Buddhas.
37:26The little tunnel detours lend greater significance to their trip.
37:34Some people carry their own prayer wheels.
37:37Inside, there is endlessly repeated the mystic formula,
37:41Um Mane Pedeme Um, Hail Jewel in the Lotus.
37:46Each turn of the wheel represents the prayer many millions of times,
37:50and it assures the twirler that the pitying Lord
37:53will aid in freeing him from the wheel of life.
38:01The prayer wheels recessed in the stone walls are for the benefit of those who do not carry their own.
38:15The Potala is an inspiring symbol of strength.
38:18It is a fitting monument to a religion that is divested with such tremendous power.
38:22It is also a fitting residence for their Dalai Lamas,
38:26whose soul is allegedly the perpetuated reincarnation of Buddha.
38:30The present Dalai Lama was born of peasant parents in an eastern province,
38:35and was brought to Lhasa with great ceremony as heir to the throne of Tibet.
38:39Nature presented Tibet with the ideal focal point for Buddhism.
38:48Isolating that tempestuous section of our earth,
38:51she bestowed upon it all the power, splendor, and inspiration
38:55that could be conceivably united into one boundless land.
38:58The timeless symbol of this majesty and power is their Dalai Lama.
39:03He is the absolute deity of an almost unknown civilization and culture.
39:12A
39:14full
39:34the
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