Since 2008, Tibetans have been using new and innovative ways to resist Chinese rule and assert their cultural and national identities.
One of the main forums for this is online, where songs, poems, essays and blogs about what’s happening in Tibet are being used by a growing cross-section of the population. People are getting smart; they know they face arrest and abuse if they’re caught calling for freedom or independence, but sharing online and keeping that message more subtle helps them both reach more people and keep themselves hidden.
It’s something we’ve seen from Tibetan musicians for a while, but music by the likes of Tashi Dhondup, Sherten and Lhakyi are increasingly being shared by young Tibetans, containing references to freedom, to unity among Tibetans and to the Dalai Lama.
Songs by Tashi Dhondup and Sherten
All of these songs hold political and national significance, but perhaps none is as direct as the song ‘New Generation’ by Tibetan rap group Yudrug, whose confidence and outspoken lyrics characterise a new waive in resistance from inside Tibet, drawing similarities with African-American rap groups who used the medium as a means of political protest.
‘New Generation’ by Yudrug
The significance of music as a means of political and cultural pride isn’t lost on Tibetans in exile, as shown by the popularity of the ‘Shapaley’ tracks, which combine a sense of humour with a strong message. The original ‘Shapale Song’ video, by a Swiss-Tibetan, was banned in China immediately, with a state directive going out demanding all websites carrying the video to delete it. It shows how effective using artistic mediums can be, and the fact that China is detaining more Tibetans for having MP3s or tracks like this on their phones shows that the regime is feeling the pinch when it comes to Tibetans taking pride in their nation.
Tibetans are also using poetry and literature to discuss their views, with high profile cases like those of Shogdung, Tashi Rabten, Pema Rinchen and Kalsang Tsultrim drawing attention. These cases mirror those of Chinese intellectuals like Ai Weiwei in that the state has a hard time dealing with them; they have supporters across Tibet so their profile means their cases will be highlighted, preventing China from being able to deal with them behind closed doors as it’s able to do with Tibetans who’s detentions and arrests are unknown.
Meanwhile, Tibetan bloggers like Woeser and Jamyang Kyi have developed such high profiles that though the state detains them when crises errupt, it knows they can easily become more influential if imprisoned than if left to speak their minds. With more and more Tibetans and more and more Chinese gaining access to new media and demanding a free-flow of information and the expression of opinions, it’d hard to see how the Chinese state can continue to keep a lid on such expression without greatly increasing the amount of opposition to its rule.
