Tibetan Nomad Material Culture Documentation Project Collection
Creator:
Smithsonian Institution. Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage Search this
Extent:
4.4 Terabytes (4050 videos, 1301 photographs, born digital)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Terabytes
Oral history
Digital photographs
Digital moving image formats
Place:
Tibet, Plateau of
Qinghai (province)
Gansu (province)
Sichuan (province)
Date:
2016
Scope and Contents:
The Tibetan Nomad Material Culture Documentation Project collection contains 4.4 terabytes of born digital video and photographic material collected by four teams in four traditionally Tibetan counties in three provinces in Western China.
The materials document traditional nomadic life: herding, gender roles, the making of household items like baskets and textiles, clothing, games, foodways, religious events and celebrations, traditional tools, and the history, social life, and struggles of each community as expressed through interviews with community members.
Arrangement:
The files in this collection are arranged in chronological order within four series, named for the four fieldworkers or fieldworker teams and containing their respective video and photographic documentation. The four series are as follows: (1) Lhamo Drolma, (2) Puhua, (3) rGyalthar and Nathaniel Sims, and (4) Wuqi.
Biographical / Historical:
The Nomad Material Culture Documentation Project holds documentation from five different culturally nomadic communities in Qinghai, Gansu, and Sichuan Provinces, China. Starting in 2016, the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage contracted local researchers, filmmakers, community members, and scholars to document aspects of current nomadic life, including customs, tools, traditional knowledge, and ways of life.
All materials have been shared with the originating communities.
Shared Stewardship of Collections:
The Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage acknowledges and respects the right of artists, performers, Folklife Festival participants, community-based scholars, and knowledge-keepers to collaboratively steward representations of themselves and their intangible cultural heritage in media produced, curated, and distributed by the Center. Making this collection accessible to the public is an ongoing process grounded in the Center's commitment to connecting living people and cultures to the materials this collection represents. To view the Center's full shared stewardship policy, which defines our protocols for addressing collections-related inquiries and concerns, please visit https://doi.org/10.25573/data.21771155.
Provenance:
Materials in the Tibetan Nomad Material Culture Documentation Project Collection were created in 2016 by local researchers, filmmakers, community members, and scholars Llamo Drolma, Nathaniel Sims, Puhua, rGyalthar, Tsehua, and Wuqi. Their work was supported by the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage. After the fieldworkers completed their projects, their documentation, associated metadata, and trip reports were acquired by the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives in the Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage in 2017.
Restrictions:
Access to the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections is by appointment only. Visit our website for more information on scheduling a visit or making a digitization request. Researchers interested in accessing born-digital records or audiovisual recordings in this collection must use access copies.
Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
Llamo Drolma in Zeku and Tongren Counties, Huangnan Prefecture, Qinghai Province
Collection Creator:
Smithsonian Institution. Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage Search this
Extent:
709.5 Gigabytes (904 photographs and 418 videos)
Type:
Archival materials
Gigabytes
Date:
2016 August 2-August 20
Scope and Contents:
Photographs and video in this series were shot by a crew comprised of Llamo Drolma, Tsehua, and Puhua, in Zeku and Tongren Counties in the Huangnan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province. Materials include documentation of the construction, history, and social significance of yak-hair tents, yak herding and associated material culture, furnishings and other household goods, horse racing and associated material culture, community life and conflict, nomadic life, religious life, foodways, gender roles, games, traditional clothing and jewelry, weaving, and rope making.
Collection Restrictions:
Access to the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections is by appointment only. Visit our website for more information on scheduling a visit or making a digitization request. Researchers interested in accessing born-digital records or audiovisual recordings in this collection must use access copies.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
Collection Citation:
Tibetan Nomad Material Culture Documentation Collection, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution.
Smithsonian Institution. Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage Search this
Extent:
3 Video recordings (born digital)
Container:
Folder TNP_2016_08-03_LHA_0001-0003
Type:
Archival materials
Moving Images
Video recordings
Date:
2016 August 3
Scope and Contents:
Tsering Tso talks about the tools used in the butter making process.
Filmed by Lhamo Drolma, Tsehua, and Puhua at Tsering Gya's home in Sonak Village, Zeku County, Huangnan Prefecture, Qinghai Province.
Collection Restrictions:
Access to the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections is by appointment only. Visit our website for more information on scheduling a visit or making a digitization request. Researchers interested in accessing born-digital records or audiovisual recordings in this collection must use access copies.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
Collection Citation:
Tibetan Nomad Material Culture Documentation Collection, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution.
Access to the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections is by appointment only. Visit our website for more information on scheduling a visit or making a digitization request. Researchers interested in accessing born-digital records or audiovisual recordings in this collection must use access copies.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
Collection Citation:
Tibetan Nomad Material Culture Documentation Collection, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution.
Lhamo Tsering talking about her herding experiences
Collection Creator:
Smithsonian Institution. Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage Search this
Container:
Folder TNP_2016_05-05_PUH_0001-0016
Type:
Archival materials
Moving Images
Date:
2016 May 5
Scope and Contents:
She also discusses weaving cloth, making mattresses, making the yak-hair tent and sewing it, and making yak-hair sacks.
Filmed in Ba nang winter camp, Zokpa Village, Gangtsa Township, Zhün ha County.
Collection Restrictions:
Access to the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections is by appointment only. Visit our website for more information on scheduling a visit or making a digitization request. Researchers interested in accessing born-digital records or audiovisual recordings in this collection must use access copies.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
Collection Citation:
Tibetan Nomad Material Culture Documentation Collection, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution.
Smithsonian Institution. Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage Search this
Extent:
13 Video recordings (born digital)
Container:
Folder TNP_2016_05-05_PUH_0032-0042
Folder TNP_2016_05-05_PUH_0060-0061
Type:
Archival materials
Moving Images
Video recordings
Date:
2016 May 5
Scope and Contents:
Also discussed are dirty jokes, the traditional games that they used to play, and herding experiences.
Filmed in Ba nang winter camp, Zokpa Village, Gangtsa Township, Zhün ha County.
Collection Restrictions:
Access to the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections is by appointment only. Visit our website for more information on scheduling a visit or making a digitization request. Researchers interested in accessing born-digital records or audiovisual recordings in this collection must use access copies.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
Collection Citation:
Tibetan Nomad Material Culture Documentation Collection, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution.
Smithsonian Institution. Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage Search this
Extent:
17 Video recordings (born digital)
Container:
Folder TNP_2016_05-05_PUH_0043-0059
Type:
Archival materials
Moving Images
Video recordings
Date:
2016 May 5
Scope and Contents:
They also discuss their life as adults, herding experiences, women's daily chores, and women's jewelry.
Filmed in Ba nang winter camp, Zokpa Village, Gangtsa Township, Zhün ha County.
Collection Restrictions:
Access to the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections is by appointment only. Visit our website for more information on scheduling a visit or making a digitization request. Researchers interested in accessing born-digital records or audiovisual recordings in this collection must use access copies.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
Collection Citation:
Tibetan Nomad Material Culture Documentation Collection, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution.
Mr. Lugyel Döndrup talking about the riddles he knows
Collection Creator:
Smithsonian Institution. Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage Search this
Extent:
22 Video recordings (born digital)
Container:
Folder TNP_2016_05-06_PUH_0001-0020
Folder TNP_2016_05_06_PUH_0001-0002
Type:
Archival materials
Moving Images
Video recordings
Date:
2016 May 6
Scope and Contents:
He also talks about the traditional games that he used to play.
Filmed in Khe mar winter camp, Zokpa Village, Gangtsa Township, Zhün ha County.
Collection Restrictions:
Access to the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections is by appointment only. Visit our website for more information on scheduling a visit or making a digitization request. Researchers interested in accessing born-digital records or audiovisual recordings in this collection must use access copies.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
Collection Citation:
Tibetan Nomad Material Culture Documentation Collection, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution.
Smithsonian Institution. Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage Search this
Extent:
4 Video recordings (born digital)
Container:
Folder TNP_2016_05-06_PUH_0021-0023
Folder TNP_2016_05_06_PUH_0023
Type:
Archival materials
Moving Images
Video recordings
Date:
2016 May 6
Scope and Contents:
She also discusses the difficulties that she went through raising her children and herding livestock.
Filmed in Khe mar winter camp, Zokpa Village, Gangtsa Township, Zhün ha County.
Collection Restrictions:
Access to the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections is by appointment only. Visit our website for more information on scheduling a visit or making a digitization request. Researchers interested in accessing born-digital records or audiovisual recordings in this collection must use access copies.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
Collection Citation:
Tibetan Nomad Material Culture Documentation Collection, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution.
Smithsonian Institution. Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage Search this
Extent:
30 Video recordings (born digital)
Container:
Folder TNP_2016_05-07_PUH_0001-0030
Type:
Archival materials
Moving Images
Video recordings
Date:
2016 May 7
Scope and Contents:
Könchok talks about how he learned the folksongs, and attended folksong and love song competitions. Also discussed are herding experiences and children's games.
Access to the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections is by appointment only. Visit our website for more information on scheduling a visit or making a digitization request. Researchers interested in accessing born-digital records or audiovisual recordings in this collection must use access copies.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
Collection Citation:
Tibetan Nomad Material Culture Documentation Collection, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution.
Access to the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections is by appointment only. Visit our website for more information on scheduling a visit or making a digitization request. Researchers interested in accessing born-digital records or audiovisual recordings in this collection must use access copies.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
Collection Citation:
Tibetan Nomad Material Culture Documentation Collection, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution.
Access to the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections is by appointment only. Visit our website for more information on scheduling a visit or making a digitization request. Researchers interested in accessing born-digital records or audiovisual recordings in this collection must use access copies.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
Collection Citation:
Tibetan Nomad Material Culture Documentation Collection, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution.
Smithsonian Institution. Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage Search this
Extent:
9 Video recordings (born digital)
Container:
Folder TNP_2016_08-03_LHA_0004-0012
Type:
Archival materials
Moving Images
Video recordings
Date:
2016 August 3
Scope and Contents:
Aku Rinche Gya introducing the different parts of a yak saddle, and filling a yak-hair bag with yak dung to attach to the saddle. Konchok Kya talking about what was put on the saddle.
Filmed by Lhamo Drolma, Tsehua, and Puhua at Tsering Gya's home in Sonak Village, Zeku County, Huangnan Prefecture, Qinghai Province.
Collection Restrictions:
Access to the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections is by appointment only. Visit our website for more information on scheduling a visit or making a digitization request. Researchers interested in accessing born-digital records or audiovisual recordings in this collection must use access copies.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
Collection Citation:
Tibetan Nomad Material Culture Documentation Collection, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution.
Smithsonian Institution. Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage Search this
Extent:
2 Video recordings (born digital)
Container:
Folder TNP_2016_05-07_PUH_0048-0049
Type:
Archival materials
Moving Images
Video recordings
Date:
2016 May 7
Scope and Contents:
Tsering jam talks about the grassland distribution between the agricultural village and Zokpa village, and some conflict and fighting.
Filmed in Ba nang ་ winter camp, Zokpa Village, Gangtsa Township, Zhün ha County.
Collection Restrictions:
Access to the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections is by appointment only. Visit our website for more information on scheduling a visit or making a digitization request. Researchers interested in accessing born-digital records or audiovisual recordings in this collection must use access copies.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
Collection Citation:
Tibetan Nomad Material Culture Documentation Collection, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution.
Access to the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections is by appointment only. Visit our website for more information on scheduling a visit or making a digitization request. Researchers interested in accessing born-digital records or audiovisual recordings in this collection must use access copies.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
Collection Citation:
Tibetan Nomad Material Culture Documentation Collection, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution.
Group interview on wide range of topics, including personal stories and changes in lifestyle
Collection Creator:
Smithsonian Institution. Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage Search this
Extent:
9 Video recordings (born digital)
Container:
Folder TNP_2016_05-09_PUH_0001-0009
Type:
Archival materials
Moving Images
Video recordings
Date:
2016 May 9
Scope and Contents:
Filmed in Ba nang winter camp, Zokpa Village, Gangtsa Township, Zhün ha County.
Collection Restrictions:
Access to the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections is by appointment only. Visit our website for more information on scheduling a visit or making a digitization request. Researchers interested in accessing born-digital records or audiovisual recordings in this collection must use access copies.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
Collection Citation:
Tibetan Nomad Material Culture Documentation Collection, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution.
