Join our Mailing List



Take Action

FILM
& SPREAD THE WORD

 Tibet's rich folk music tradition was passed down orally, and remained virtually unknown to the rest of the world for centuries. Today it serves as essentially the repository of the Tibetan culture itself. The music represents centuries of cultural heritage, and what Tibetans call a history that is "longer than the river. " The songs are the only form of Tibetan culture originating directly from Tibetans themselves.

Singing and dancing came so naturally to all Tibetans, that the saying arose that "Anyone with a mouth can sing, and with legs can dance." This gave rise to an extensive collection of folk songs that span the entire Tibetan plateau. Each valley has it's own particular style of singing and dancing, as well as costumes; this makes the musical heritage as diverse as it is prolific. But no matter where in Tibet the songs originate, and no matter what song you find yourself singing, each song resonates with the essential Tibetan element of compassion.

A veritable blueprint of all the aspects of Tibetan lifestyle and beliefs reaching far into the nation's ancient past, this music heritage recounts the people's views on the creation of the universe, the value of compassion, the importance of living in harmony with each other, the beauty of the land, respect for one's parents, and the joys of being in love - just to name a few.

While most Tibetan folk songs could be sung anytime or anywhere, songs were routinely sung while working in the field shepherding, sowing and harvesting crops, gathering to spend time with friends and family, and celebrating special occasions such as weddings, religious festivals, or yearly holidays like Tibetan New Year.