The Politics of Sorrow

Name: The Politics of Sorrow
Brand: Columbia University Press
Price: 37.75 AUD
Availability: PreOrder

A Story of Unity and Allegiance Across Tibetan Exile

By: Tsering Wangmo Dhompa

Write A Review

Paperback | 18 February 2025 | Edition Number 1

At a Glance

Paperback
352 Pages

Dimensions(cm)
21.59 x 13.96

Paperback

RRP $46.95

$37.75

20%OFF

Available: 18th February 2025

Preorder. Will ship when available.

The Dalai Lama escaped from Tibet in 1959 after its occupation by China and established a government in exile in India. There, Tibetan leaders aimed to bring together displaced people from varied religious traditions and local loyalties under the banner of unity. To contest Chinese colonization and stand up for self-determination, Tibetan refugees were asked to shed regional allegiances and embrace a vision of a shared national identity.

The Politics of Sorrow tells the story of the Group of Thirteen, a collective of chieftains and lamas from the regions of Kham and Amdo, who sought to preserve Tibet's cultural diversity in exile. They established settlements in India in the mid-1960s with the goal of protecting their regional and religious traditions, setting them apart from the majority of Tibetan refugees, who saw a common tradition as the basis for unifying the Tibetan people. Tsering Wangmo Dhompa traces these different visions for Tibetan governance and identity, juxtaposing the Tibetan government in exile's external struggle for international recognition with its lesser-known internal struggle to command loyalty within the diaspora. She argues that although unity was necessary for democracy and independence, it also drew painful boundaries between those who belonged and those who didn't. Drawing on insightful interviews with Tibetan elders and an exceptional archive of Tibetan exile texts, The Politics of Sorrow is a compelling narrative of a tumultuous time that reveals the complexities of Tibetan identities then and now.

Industry Reviews

Tsering Dhompa's poignant and deeply personal work, The Politics of Sorrow, chronicles Tibet's tumultuous journey from fractured beginnings to the arduous pursuit of building a nation in exile. The book stands as the first of its kind, delving into the heart of the Tibetan struggle for identity and grappling with the profound question of what constitutes a national identity amidst the challenges of displacement. Dhompa fearlessly navigates the uncharted waters of their internal strife. The Politics of Sorrow invites readers to witness a community's journey to discover its voice from disarray. -- Tsering Shakya, author of The Dragon in the Land of Snows: A History of Modern Tibet Since 1947
Bold, brave, and brilliant. In The Politics of Sorrow, Tsering Wangmo Dhompa unfolds an unknown, painful part of Tibetan history with the context and respect it deserves. Written with care, curiosity, and a poet's eye for detail, this book should be widely read and engaged. -- Carole McGranahan, Writing Anthropology: Essays on Craft and Commitment

Shipping

	Standard Shipping	Express Shipping
Metro postcodes:	$9.99	$14.95
Regional postcodes:	$9.99	$14.95
Rural postcodes:	$9.99	$14.95

How to return your order

At Booktopia, we offer hassle-free returns in accordance with our returns policy. If you wish to return an item, please get in touch with Booktopia Customer Care.

Additional postage charges may be applicable.