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Article: Unraveling of A Livelihood; Tibetans in Nepal Watch Carpet Factories Succumb to Economic, Political Pressures
- Article from:
- The Washington Post
- Article date:
- July 29, 2009
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright 2009 The Washington Post. This material is published under license from the Washington Post. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Washington Post. (Hide copyright information)
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Thinley Sangmo was taught as a young girl in exile how to weave
traditional Tibetan carpets. Her grandmother's thick hands would
twist and spin spools of sheep's wool to depict the landscape and
religious iconography of their homeland: hairy yaks lumbering up
snow-swept mountains, puffy clouds and ponds of pink lotus flowers.
By the time she was 14, Sangmo was hunching over an upright loom
for more than 12 hours a day. Sometimes she would fall asleep. She
wanted to attend school, but as the oldest of seven children and as
a Tibetan refugee living without full rights in Nepal, carpet
weaving was her best option.
"It's very hard work. At first, I would cry," said Sangmo, now
36, with ...