Khampa dancers performing outside Dekyi Lingka

Khampa dancers performing outside Dekyi Lingka

1999.23.1.32.1 (Album Print black & white)

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Key Information

Photographer

H. Staunton ?

Collection

Harry Staunton

Date of Photo

1940 - 1941

Region

Lhasa > Dekyi Lingka

Accession number

1999.23.1.32.1

Image Dimensions

116 x 74 mm

A group of about a dozen dancers with wigs performing outside the Dekyi Lingka. This was a group of itinerant dancers commonly known as the Khampa Dancers from the region of Kham in eastern Tibet. Some of their number are playing instruments.

Further Information

Activity

Performing , Dancing

Photographic Process

Print gelatin silver

Date Acquired

Donated 1999

Donated by

Diana Hughes

Expedition

H. Staunton

Photo also owned by

Diana Hughes

Other Information

Notes on album mount - "Kampa dancers" is written in pencil and in capital letters below the photograph. [KC 10/1/2006]

Manual Catalogues -


Manual Catalogues - "Outside Dekyi Lingka" [Hugh Richardson in conversation with Roger Croston, detailed in H. Staunton undated Related Documents File, PRM Manuscript Collections]

Other Information - Cultural Background


Other Information - Cultural Background: F Spencer Chapman describes visits by Kampa dancers at the Dekyi Linka in Lhasa: the Holy City, 1938, London: Chatto and Windus, "Another form of entertainment was provided by troupes of dancers who appearedfrom time to time at the Dekyi Lingka. One group, known as the Kampa Dancers - since this form of dancing originated in Kham - were skillful acrobats. These were professional players who toured southern Tibet and even went down to Gangtok and Kalimpong. ... Dancing, except when performed by the monks, is considered a very low-caste occupation, and all the performers ... seemed to be very poor." (pp. 272-3)

Other Information: Related Images: See 1999.23.1.32.3 for another image of the dancers after their performance. [KC 10/1/2006]

For Citation use:
The Tibet Album. "Khampa dancers performing outside Dekyi Lingka" 05 Dec. 2006. The Pitt Rivers Museum. <http://tibet.prm.ox.ac.uk/photo_1999.23.1.32.1.html>.

For more information about photographic usage or to order prints, please visit the The Pitt Rivers Museum.

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