Light up the world’s highest village in Tibet

July,28 2016 BY Master Catherine Jigme 0 COMMENTS

It is a convention for most Chinese people to watch Spring Gala after a family get-together feast, but for the people in Thu Village on the bank of Puma Yumco, west Lhoka Prefecture, Tibet Autonomous Region, it was their first time to see electricity-light up until 2006, let alone a television, camera, or other digital products in the past.

On 26th January 2006, for the first time in history, the world highest village saw electricity light; and it was also the first time that the Thu villagers could watch the spring gala on TV and contact directly through telephone with the outside world without traveling months to the border fair. They felt thrilled and overwhelmed. However, what thrilled Wang and his fellow friends was watching all the villagers crowding in the village office hall, i.e. again a shabby room only relatively larger, surrounding one small TV set.

The Thu Village has around 40 families and some 150 people including about 40 school age kids. People in Thu village share the housework, farm work and pastoral work. The "working system" is everywhere like a communion.

Their life dependence comes from breeding yak and sheep. Not only women but also men would do threading and weaving. Their cloth and shoes are all made by themselves. Sometimes one cloth might be handed down to one or more following generations, such as the village head's red vest.

Their livelihood depends on trading with dry sliced yak meat for lamp oil, common salt, highland barley, zanba, and candle etc. in the China-Bhutan border fair, miles upon miles away. Though life is harsh, the Thu villagers looked loving and peaceful in their own way.

About the Author - Master Catherine Jigme

With exceptional passion and outstanding leadership, Mrs. Catherine has dedicated herself to Tibet inbound tourism and China tour for 15 years. As one of the handful females who see great potential of Chinese inbound tourism, Catherine has made great contribution to promoting Tibet tourism and enhancing the employment of Tibetans and prosperity of local Tibetan community.

Over the years, she travelled overseas with Tibet Tourism Bureau many times to promote Tibet tourism. Currently, Catherine works as the marketing director of Tibet Vista, an opinion leader behind the whole team of Tibet Vista.

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