Tibet in Song (1:22) 2008

For many centuries Tibet passed on their folk songs to the next generation through a strong oral tradition. Every activity had a song attached to it, milking and drinking beer are two examples. Dancing the native dances were also a very popular pasttime. In 1950, Tibet was invaded by Chinese who have forced and continue to force their culture on the Tibetans. The Chinese brought radios to Tibet and played Chinese music on the "music boxes". In 1995, a young musician named Ngawang Choephel returned to Tibet to record his native traditional music. Choephel's mother fled Tibet with him when he was two. When he returned, Choephel wanted to meet his father for the first time and travel to the rural areas collecting music. He was eventually stopped by the police, arrested  and sentenced for eighteen years in prison. Tibet in Song contains many examples of folk songs and many shots of the beautiful Tibetan montains and countryside. The Tibetans have suffered greatly from the hands of the Chinese invaders, their courage and culture are to be greatly admired.