Subjects
Presenting more than 7,200 subjects on life and culture in Tibet and the Himalayas.
Learn About Subjects
Subjects contain information about topics related to life and culture in Tibet and the Himalayas. Many subjects include rich data on that topic, such as introductions and related media, like audio, video, images, or texts. These help you understand the subject in its full dimensions.
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Subjects contain information about topics related to life and culture in Tibet and the Himalayas. Many subjects include rich data such as introductions and etymologies as well as related media like audio, video, images, and texts, which expand the context and depth of understanding of the subject.
Featured Collections by Subject
Horse Race Event
Horses have been used for transport of goods and in warfare, where their riders used swords and spears to take aim at their enemies. Over time, horses and horsemanship became closely affiliated with a wide range of Tibetan customs and cultural events, including horse races and skills demonstrations that are part of regional celebrations.
130 Images
3 Audio-Video Display of Large Tangka
Large tangka images of Buddhas are usually displayed once per year as part of a ritual or festival. The massive appliqué, often handmade, can weigh hundreds of pounds and are hung on the sides of buildings or on hillsides. These tangkas are believed to have the power to expunge bad karma and liberate viewers from negative rebirths; accordingly, people will travel great distances to attend their display.
Architecture
Traditional Tibetan architecture reflects the innovations of Tibetan craftspersons and the impacts of other cultures. Built of stone, mud, and wood, traditional buildings are designed to survive high altitude environments when properly maintained. Religious buildings are distinguished by bands of color (usually red) along the upper elements of exterior walls and golden and/or yellow rooftop elements, among other features.
7 TextsFeatured Subjects
Food in Tibet
Discover foods of cultural Amdo, Kham, and U-Tsang, and the markets, pastures, and households that provide them.
Drama
Resources to understand how Bhutanese performers use body, speech, and song to communicate religion, history, and humor.
Earthquakes
Personal accounts of the experiences and effects of living through the devastating 2015 Nepal earthquake.
