Bus Tour Explores Tibetan Culture in Connecticut

On Saturday, March 25, 2006, 18 Connecticut residents learned about Tibetan culture in the state through a bus tour organized by ICR’s Cultural Heritage Arts Program (CHAP). At Old Saybrook craft store and community gathering place Dharma Jewel, tour participants were touched by Tsultrim Lama’s story of being reunited with her children in the US after 10 years apart. Tsultrim learned how to weave traditional Tibetan rugs while growing up in a refugee camp in Nepal. Sikkimese flautist Lakedhen Shingsur wowed the crowd with traditional Nepalese love songs and mountain dance tunes, including a “yak dance” from his childhood. Thapkey Tsering, president of the Tibetan Association of Connecticut, gave visitors a history of Tibet’s occupation by China, a demonstration of the Tibetan language, and an explanation of how Tibetan people settled in Connecticut. After listening to speakers and music, visitors shopped for rugs, wall hangings, jewelry and other artwork at Dharma Jewel.

In the afternoon, Jampa Tsondue, a thangka painter, invited the tour group to his home. Jampa emphasized how important Buddhism is in daily life for Tibetan people as he showed visitors his shrine room, full of religious offerings for the Tibetan New Year, Losar. Each of the artists described their difficulties creating art with the full time demands of work and family, as well as of preserving Tibetan culture in the United States. Tour participants were impressed by the personal touches of the day. “[CHAP and tour director Lynne Williamson] couldn’t have picked better people for us to talk to,” said Paulette Ferris, a retired schoolteacher from South Windsor. The tour ended in Middletown, where attendees ate a traditional Tibetan meal and then perused antique furniture, art and books at the restaurant and store Little Tibet. 

Don't miss this spring's next two bus tours: Finnish Culinary Adventure (4/22/06) and Laotian Food and Water Festival (5/28/06).  For more information please contact Lynne Williamson at (860) 278-2044 ext. 251 or lynne.williamson@icrweb.org. 

1.  Thangka painter Jampa Tsondue of Old Saybrook, CT shows visitors his family's Buddhist shrine.  Photo: Gannon Long.

2.  Furniture, jewelry, and antiques on display at Little Tibet in Middletown, CT.

Photo: Gannon Long.

3.  Weaver Tsultrim Lama presents one of her handwoven rugs at Dharma Jewel in Old Saybrook, CT.  Photo: Gannon Long.

4.  Tour participants perused Tibetan jewelery, clothes and other artifacts at Dharma Jewel in Old Saybrook, CT.  Photo: Gannon Long.

5.  Traditional Tibetan art on display at Dharma Jewel in Old Saybrook, CT. 

Photo: Gannon Long.

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