Key Information

Photographer

H. Staunton ?

Collection

Harry Staunton

Date of Photo

1940 - 1941

Region

Lhasa > Barkhor

Accession number

1999.23.1.39.4

Image Dimensions

118 x 89 mm

Zimchongpa warriors dressed in ancient armour processing around the south west corner of the Jokhang along the Barkhor on the occasion of the Monlam Torgya ceremony. This photograph is probably taken from the roof of the Doring house.

Further Information

Activity

Ritual Activity

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 - "Cathedral" is written as the general caption for the four photographs on page 39 of the album in pencil in capital letters. [KC 2/1/2006]

Other Information - Related Images

Other Information - Related Images: 1999.23.2.13/14/17/18; 1999.23.1.21.3, 1999.23.1.39.1/3

Other Information - Setting

Other Information - Setting: Hugh Richardson writes about the ceremony of Monlam Torgya in Ceremonies of the Lhasa Year , 1993, London: Serindia Publications, pp. 39-51. "The ceremony of te Monlam Torgya is the longest and the most spectacular of the New Year celebrations. It is the high point of the Yaso's tenure of office and the day for which the Tsisher was the preparation. It brings together religious and secular elements and marks the formal end of the Monlam Chenmo. ... The centre of the activity is the forecourt of the Jokhang where it can be seen by the Dalai Lama from a window curtained with yellow silk in the Zurchong room to the north of the court. The Kashag watch from the verandah of the reception room, the Khamsum Tsomchen, over the porch of the Jokhang." As for the arrival of the Zimchongpa Richardson writes, "Then an outburst of explosions and war cries announces the arrival of the Zimchongpa at the south-west corner of the Tsuklakhang where they wait while their leaders accompanied by the City Magistratesand their standars-bearers go forward to prostrate themselves towards the Dalai Lama. Then the Zimchongpa march noisily up to the forecourt of the Jokhang. Some line the Barkhor while others form up in two files in the centre of the road. They take it in turn to display their martial prowess, singing war songs about Penden Lhamo as they do so." (pp. 40-1)

For Citation use:
The Tibet Album. "Zimchongpa warriors processing along the Barkhor" 05 Dec. 2006. The Pitt Rivers Museum. <http://tibet.prm.ox.ac.uk/photo_1999.23.1.39.4.html>.

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Zimchongpa warriors processing along the Barkhor