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Waiting in the wings, a monk in warrior costume awaits his cue for the call to battle at the Ling Gesar reenactment, which is...
Since all roles, even female ones, are played by Shechen Monks, these "maidens" bringing offerings of Kata (ceremonial prayer...
A procession of Ling Gesar's warrior generals heads into battle adorned in elaborate hand-made costumes and headdresses.
A procession of Ling Gesar's warrior generals heads into battle adorned in elaborate hand-made costumes and headdresses.
Through ritualized dances depicting battles on horseback, the forces of Ling Gesar gallop toward their enemies.
In addition to dramatizing the Ling Gesar Epic, monks of all ages also perform traditional Tibetan dances at the festival.
Male monks who portray women in the epic wear floral headdresses and jewelry made of coral and silver. In Tibetan culture, je...
Local girls, wearing hair ornaments of amber and coral, are absorbed in the action on the Field-A depiction of the legendary ...
A touch of the 21st century: Shechen Monks record the historical action for posterity.
In a contest of good versus evil, the mighty warrior King Gesar vanquishes his foe, who like bad guys everywhere, is dressed ...
In a contest of good versus evil, the mighty warrior King Gesar vanquishes his foe, who like bad guys everywhere, is dressed ...
Ling Gesar takes on another symbol of evil. The enemies portrayed during the festival may be humans or monsters, but it all c...
The Parkhang Houses over 200,000 blocks engraved with Tibetan literature, history, medicine and religious writing, making it ...
Hand-carved wood blocks, which are inked with vermillion ground from the mineral cinnabar, must be cleaned after each use.
Printers working in pairs ink and then roll paper over the wood block engraved with text.
Printers working in pairs ink and then roll paper over the wood block engraved with text.
Yaks are indispensible to the Tibetan Nomads, providing warmth and sustenance. Ideally adapted to the high altitudes and cold...
On virtually treeless Tibetan Plateau, yak dung is burned as fuel for heating and cooking. The job of dung collection falls t...
Women and youngsters take care of most of the domestic chores, which include sheep shearing. Sheep are almost as useful to th...
Women and youngsters take care of most of the domestic chores, which include sheep shearing. Sheep are almost as useful to th...
Nomad families spend the Summer months living together in yak-hair tents, grazing their animals and searching for the valuabl...
Vast tracts of grazing land near Qillan Mountain are home to the Shandan Army Ranch, which has operated here since the Chines...
An early snowstorm veils a herd of yaks grazing along the Yalong River.
An early snowstorm veils a herd of yaks grazing along the Yalong River.
Chamadao, Nomad family of 7 have traveled 20km from their home near Bamei to graze their yak on this rich summer grass. Have ...
Chamadao, Nomad family of 7 have traveled 20km from their home near Bamei to graze their yak on this rich summer grass. Have ...
Throughout Tibet, yak butter preparation is a daily chore. Even with modern conveniences like television, the yak butter is s...
The white canvas tents provided by the Chinese government are increasingly preferred to the traditional black yak-hair tents ...
Tibetans call these multi-colored flags "wing horses." They are hung to protect travelers crossing through the often-treacher...
The dri (female yaks) still need milking, despite an early snow, and the job falls to the woman of the tent.
Nomad camp at Heitushan Pass, 4450m. Heavy snow today makes collecting yartsa gompo impossible. Everyone sleeps in except for...
White canvas tents are brighter and drier than traditional yak-hair tents. Though sparsely furnished, there is always an alta...
The dri (female yaks) still need milking, despite an early snow, and the job falls to the woman of the tent.
Tibetans are never without their tea and drink an average of 40 cups a day. Ten-year-old Tsering Dolna, slathered a lotion to...
Yartsa gompo collecting with our nomad clan.
Keen eyesight and patience are required to spot the well-camouflaged Yartsa Gombu, which protrudes only a half-inch above the...
Serxul, center of Yartsa Gompo in Sichuan and reputably best in China. Word's highest town at 4150m? We go to the hunting fie...
Replacing herding as a livelihood for nomads, harvesting Yartsa Gombu involves the entire family. Using handmade spades and t...
Local nomad market and yartsa gompo collecting on Heitushan Pass, 4450m. Morning rain has stopped, and families head up the m...
Serxul, center of Yartsa Gompo in Sichuan and reputably best in China. Word's highest town at 4150m? We go to the hunting fie...
Motorcycles, purchased with the profits from Yartsa Gombu sales, are replacing horses for families like the Tuptens, who are ...
A motorcycle built for two does double the duty for these nomads on the trail of the Yartsa Gombu, which translated literally...
Nomads gather in Serxu, the world's highest town at 13,600 ft (4,150 m) to clean and display their wares, their trusty Tibeta...
Zaduo, the end of the road, On Mekong River, the staging town for expeditions headed further west to the sources of Asia'c gr...
Like ladies at an old fashioned quilting bee, workers begin the task of cleaning the mushrooms brought in by nomad traders to...
Muslim uighurs control the mushroom trade, employing women are like these their millinery finery, to sort, clean and dry the ...
The yartsa gompo market
Zaduo, the end of the road, On Mekong River, the staging town for expeditions headed further west to the sources of Asia'c gr...
Carrying virtual fortunes in plastic bags, these traders angle for he best prices for their yartsa gombu from uighur dealers....
Fresh from foraging for yartsa gombu on the grasslands, t his nomad shows some prime specimens to traders.