Resident in Tibet embarks on whole new life after democratic reform

 

Dacho (C) and her family members pose for a photo at home in Lalho Township, Saga County of Xigaze, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, Jan. 14, 2021. Dacho, born in 1929, is a resident in Lalho Township, Saga County of Xigaze, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. She was made a serf in her early childhood and had suffered an unimaginable ordeal until the democratic reform in 1959. "The serf owner kept a roster listing dates of birth of all local residents, who would be made serfs at certain age, regardless of gender or health condition," Dacho recalled, adding, "I was too young to undertake heavy chores but to help my mother take care of lambs. A serf was merely dispensed a small bowl of zanba (a traditional rice cake) after an entire day of hard labor, and would have nothing to eat if he or she was too sick to work on that day." Along with tens of thousands of other serfs, Dacho embarked on a whole new life in 1959 when she received residence, farm land and sheep from the local government. Today, Dacho enjoys her peaceful life in her spacious Tibetan-style house, where up to 100 relatives, neighbors and friends gather every year to celebrate the Tibetan New Year. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje)