The Burning Question

The Burning Question: Why are Tibetans Turning into Self-immolation?

‘The Burning Question: Why are Tibetans Turning into Self-immolation? featured background information about the ongoing wave of self-immolation inside Tibet. Since 2009, a total of 157 Tibetans have set themselves alight. Seventy Five years of Chinese occupation and rule have failed to address the grievances of the Tibetan people. The genuine aspiration for basic freedom and the preservation of Tibetan culture and identity has been met with repressive measures, which have led to political repression, economic marginalization, cultural assimilation and environmental destruction in Tibet.

Hence, in the absence of space for conventional form of protests, Tibetans have resorted to the drastic action of setting oneself on fire, believing it is the only way to bring the world’s attention to the plight of the Tibetan people.

The exhibition aims to inform the global community about the current situation inside Tibet and the reason behind Tibetans in Tibet taking drastic step like self-immolation.

 

 

Self-immolators

Tapey, Age: 20s, self immolated on February 27, 2009, Ngaba, Amdo, Current status: unknown

Lobsang Phuntsok, age:20, Ngaba, Amdo, self immolated on Mrach 16, 2011, Deceased

Tsewang Norbu/ Norko, Age:29, Tawu, Kham, self immolated on August 15, 2011, Deceased

Lobsang Kelsang, Age: believed to be 18, Ngaba, Amdo, self immolated on Sep 26, 2011, current status: unknown

Lobsang Kunchok, Age: believed to be 18, Ngaba, Amdo, self immolated on Sep 26, 2011, current status: unknown

Kelsang Wangchuk, Age:17, Ngaba, Amdo, self immolated on October 3, 2011, current staus: unknown

Choepel, Age:19, Nhaba, Amdo, self immolated on October 7, 2011, Deceased

Khaying/ Lhungyang, Age:18, Ngaba, Amdo, self immolated on October 7, 2011, Deceased

Norbu Damdul, Age:19, Ngaba, Amdo, self immolated on October 15, 2011, Deceased

Tenzin Wangmo, Age:20, Near Ngaba, Amdo, self immolated on October 17, 2011, Deceased

Dawa Tsering, Age:38, Kardze, Kham, self immolated on October 25, 2011, current status: unknown

Palden Choetso/ Choesang, Age:35, Tawu, Kham, self immolated on November 3, 2011, Deceased

Tenzin Phuntsok, Age: 40s, Chamdo, Kham, seld immolated on December 1, 2011, Deceased

Lobsang Tsultrim, Age around 20, Ngaba, Amdo, self immolated on January 6, 2011, Deceased

Tennyi, Age: around 20, Ngaba, Amdo, seld immolated on January 6, 2011, Deceased

Sonam Wangyal, Age: 40s, Golog, Amdo, seld immolated on January 8, 2012, Deceased

Lobsang Jamyang, Age: 20s, Ngaba, Amdo, self immolated on January 14, 2012, Deceased

Rigzin Dorjee, Age: 19, Ngaba, Amdo, self immolated on Febuary 8, 2012, Deceased

Sonam Rabyang, Age: mid 30s, Triwang, Amdo, self immolated on Febuary 8, 2012, current status: unknown

Tenzin Choedon, Age: 18 Ngaba, Amdo, self immokated on February 11, 2012, Deceased

Lobsang Gyatso, Age: 19, Ngaba, Kirti, self immolated on February 13, 2012, current status: unknown

Dhamchoe Sangpo, Age: 38, Themchen, Amdo, self immolated on February 17, 2012, Deceased

Nangdrol, Age: 18, Ngaba, Amdo, seld immolated on February 19, 2012, Deceased

Tsering Kyi, Age: 19, Machu, Kham, self immolated on March 3, 2012, Deceased

Rinchen kyi, Age: early 30s, Ngaba, Amdo, self immolated on March 4, 2012, Deceased

Dorjee, Age: 18, Ngaba, Amdo, self immolated on March 5, 2012, Deceased

Gepey, Age: 18, Ngaba, Amdo, self immolated on March 10, 2012, Deceased

Jamyang Palden, Age: 30s, Rebkong, Amdo, self immolated on March 14, 2012, Deceased

Lobsang Tsultrim, Age: 20, Ngaba, Amdo, self immolated on March 16, 2012, Deceased

Sonam Dhargyal, Age: 44, Rebkong, Amdo, self immolated on March 17, 2012, Deceased

Lobsang Sherab, Age: 20, Ngaba, Amdo, self immolation on March 28, 2012, Deceased

Tempa Dhargey, Age: 22, Ngaba, Amdo, self immolated on March 30, 2012, Deceased

Chimey Palden, Age: 21, Ngaba, Amdo, self immolated on March 30, 2012, Deceased

Tulku Athup alias Thubten Nyandak Rinpoche and Atse, Age: 45 and 23, Kardze, Kham, self immolated on April 6, 2012, both Deceased

Atse, Age: 25, Dhartsedo, Kham, self immolated on April 6, 2012, deceased

Sonam, Age: around 20s, Ngaba, Amdo, self immolated on April 19, 2012, Deceased

Choepak Kyab, Age: 20s, Ngaba, Amdo, self immolated on April 19, 2012, deceased

Dorjee Tseten, Age: 19, Jokhang, Lhasa, self immolated on May27, 2012, Deceased

Dhargye, Age: believed to be 25, Jokhang, Lhasa, self immolated on May 27, 2012, Deceased

Rikyo, Age: 33, Ngaba, Amdo, self immolated on May 30, 2012, Deceased

Tamding Thar, Age: 50s, Chentse, Amdo, self immolated on June 15, 2012, Deceased

Ngawang Norphel, Age: 22, Trindu, Amdo, self immolated on June 20, 2012, believed to have died on July 30

Tenzin Khedup, Age: 24, Trindu, Amdo, self immolated on June 20, 2012, Deceased

Dekyi Choezom, Age: 40s, Kyegudo, Amdo, self immolated on June 27, 2012, current status: unknown

Tsewang Dorjee, Age: 22, Damshung, Kham, self immolated on July 7, 2012, Deceased

Lobsang Lozin, Age: 18, Barkham, Kham, self immolated on July 17, 2012, Deceased

Lobsang Tsultrim, Age: 21, Ngaba, Amdo, self immolated on August 6, 2012, Deceased

Dolkar Tso, Age: 20s, Kanlho, Amdo, self immolated on August 7, 2012,

Chopa, Age: 24, Ngaba, Amdo, self immolated on August 10, 2012, Deceased

Lungtok, Age: about 20, Ngaba, Amdo, self immolated on August 13, 2012, Deceased

Tashi, Age: 21, Ngaba, Amdo, self immolated on August 13, 2012, Deceased

Lobsang Kalsang, Age: 18, Ngaba, Amdo, self immolated on August 27, 2012, Deceased

Lobsang Damchoe, Age: 17, Ngaba, Amdo, self immolated on August 27, 2012, Deceased

Passang Lhamo, Age: 62, Beijing, self immolated on September 13, 2012, current status: unknown

Yungdrung, Age: 27, Dzatoe, Yulshul, self immolated on Septemnber 29, 2012, Deceased

Gudrup, Age: 43, Driru, Nagqu, self immolated on October 4, 2012, Deceased

Sangay Gyatso, Age: 27, Kanlho, Amdo, self immolated on October 6, 2012, Deceased

Tamdin Dorjee, Age: early 50s, Kanlho,. Amdo, self immolated on October 13, 2012, Deceased

Lhamo Kyab, Age: late 20s, Kanlho, Amdo, self immolated on October 20, 2012, Deceased

Dhondup, Age: 60s, Kanlho, Amdo, self oimmolated on October 22, 2012, Deceased

Dorje Rinchen, Age: late 50s, Kanlho, Amdo, self immolated on October 23, 2012, Deceased

Tsepo, Age: 25, Nagqu, Kham, self immolated on October 25, 2012, current status: unknown

Tenzin, Age: 20, Nagqu, Kham, self immolated on October 25, 2012, Deceased

Lhamo Tseten, Age: mid 20s, Kanlho, Amdo, self immolated on October 26, 2012, Deceased

Thubwang Kyab, Age: early 20s, Kanlho, Amdo, self immolated on October 26, 2012, Deceased

Dorjee Lhundup, Age: Mid 20s, Rebkong, Amdo, self immolated on November 4, 2012, Deceased

Dorjee, Age: 15, Ngaba, Amdo, self immolated on Nove,ber 7, 2012, Deceased

Samdub, Age: 16, Ngaba, Amdo, self immolated on November 7, 2012 , Hospitalized

Dorjee Kyab, Age: 16 Ngaba, Amdo, self immolated on November 7, 2012, hospitalized

Tamding Tso, 23 year old, mother of a 7 year old boy, Rebkong, Amdo, self iommpolated on Nov 7, 2012, Deceased

Tsegyal, Age: 27, Driru, Kham, self immolated on November 7, 2012, Deceased

Kalsang Jinpa, Age: 18, Rebgong, Amdo, self immolated on November 8, 2012, Deceased

Gonpo Tsering, Age: 19, Achok, Amdo, self immolated on November 10, 2012, Deceased

Nyingkar Tashi, Age: 24, Rebgong, Amdo, self immolated on November 12, 2012, Deceased

Nyinchak Bum, Age: 18, Rebgong, Amdo, self immolated on November 12, 2012, Deceased

Kharbum Gyal, Age: 18, Rebgong, Amdo, self immolated on November 15, 2012, Deceased

Tenzin Dolma, Age: 23, Rebgong, Amdo, self immolated on November 15, 2012, Deceased

Chagmo Kyi, , Rebgong, Amdo, self immolated on November 17, 2012, Deceased

Sangdhak Tsering, Age: 24, Rebgong, Amdo, self immolated on November 17, 2012, Deceased

Wangchen Norbu, Age: 25, Tsoshar, Amdo, self immolated on November 19, 2012, Deceased

Tsering Dhondup, Age: 34, Amchok, Gansu, self immolated on November 10, 2012, Deceased

Lubum Tsering, Age: 18, Rebgong, Amdo, self immolated on november 22, 2012, Deceased

Tadin Kyab, Age 23, Kanlho, Gansu, self immolated on November 22, 2012, Deceased

Tadin Dorjee, Age: 29, Malho, Amdo, self immolated on November 23, 2012, Deceased

Wangyal, Age: 20s, Taktse, Amdo, self immolated on November 26, 2012, current status: unknown

Sangay Dolma, Age: 17, Dokarmo, Amdo, silf immolated on november 25, 2012, deceased

Kunchok Tsering, Age: 18, Kanlho, Amdo, self immolated on Nov 26, 2012, Deceased

Gonpo Tsering, Kanlho, Amdo, self immolated on Nov 26, 2012, Deceased

Kalsang Kyab, Age: 24, Ngaba, Amdo, self immolated on Nov 27, 2012, Deceased

Sangay Tashi, Age: 18, Kanlho, Amdo, self immolated on Nov 27, 2012, Deceased

Bendey Khar, Age: 21, Kanlho, Amdo, self immolated on Nov 28, 2012, Deceased

Tsering Namgyal, Age: 31, Kanlho, Amdo, self immolated on Nov 29, 2012, Deceased

Kunchok Kyab, Age-29, Ngaba, Amdo, self immolated on Nov 30, 2012, deceased

Sungdue Kyab, Kanlho, Amdo, self immolated on Dec 2, 2012, current status: unknown

Lobsang Gedun, Age: 29, Golog, Amdo, self immolated on Dec 3, 2012, deceased

Kunchok Phelgye, Ngaba, Amdo, self immolated on Dec 8, 2012, deceased

Pema Dorjee, Age: 23, Kanlho, Amdo, self immolated on Dec 8, 2012, deceased

Benchen Kyi, Age, 17, Malho, Amdo, self immolated on Dec 9, 2012, deceased

Tsering Tashi, Age: 22, Kanlho, Amdo, self immolated on Jan 12, 2013, deceased

Dupchok, Age: 28, Ngaba, Amdo, self immolated on Jan 18, 2013, deceased

Kunchok Kyab, Age: 26, Kanlho, Amdo, self immolated on Jan 22, 2013, deceased

Lobsang Namgyal, Age: 37, Ngaba, Amdo, self immolated on Feb 3, 2013, deceased

Drukpa Khar, Age: 26, Ngaba, Amdo, Feb 13, 2013, deceased

NAlha Tsering, Age: 49, Kanlho, Amdo, self immolated on Feb 17, 2013, deceased

Rinchen, Age:17, Ngaba, Amdo, self immolated on Feb 19, 2013, deceased

Sonam Dhargyal, Age:18, Ngaba, Amdo, Feb 19, 2013, deceased

Sangdak, Ngaba, Amdo, self immolated on Feb 25, 2013, deceased

Phagmo Dhondup, Age: early 20s, Kanlho Amdo, self immolated on Feb 24, 2013, Deceased

Tsesung Kyab, Age: late 20s, Kanlho, Amdo, self immolated on Feb 25, 2013, Deceased

Kunchok Wangm, Age: 30s, Ngaba, Amdo, self immolated on March 13, 2013, Deceased

Lobsang Thogmey, Age: 28, Ngaba, Amdo, self immolated on March 16, 2013, Deceased

Kalkyi, Age 30, Ngaba, Amdo, Mrach 24, 2013, deceased

Lhamo Kyab, Age 43, Kanlho, Amdo, Self immolated on March 25, 2013, Deceased

Kunchok Tenzin, Age: 28, Kanlho, Amdo, March 26, 2013, deceased

Jungtso, Age: 20, Ngaba, Amdo, self immolated on April 16, 2013, Deceased

Lobsang Dawa, Age: 20, Ngaba, Amdo, self immolated on April 24, 2013

Kunchok Woeser, Age: 23, April 24, 2013, deceased

Tenzin Sherab, Yulshul, Amdo, self immolated on May 27, 2013, deceased

Wangchen Dolma, Age: 31, Tawu, Kham, June 11, 2013, deceased

Kunchok Sonam, Age: 18, Ngaba, Amdo, July 20, 2013, deceased

Shichung, Age 41, Ngaba Amdo, self immolated on Sep 28, 2013, deceased

Tsering Gyal, Age: 20, Golog, Amdo, self immolated on Nov 11, 2013, deceased

Kunchok Tsetan, Age:30, Ngaba, Amdo, self immolated on Dec 3, 2013, deceased

Tsultrim Gyatson, Age: 44, Kanlho, Amdo, self immolated on Dec 19, 2013, deceased

Phagmo Samdrup, Age: 27, Malho, Amdo, self immolated on Feb 2, 2014, deceased

Lobsang Palden, Age: 23, Ngaba, Amdo, self immolated on March 16, 2014, deceased

Lobsang Palden, Age: 23, Ngaba, Amdo, self immolated on March 16, 2014, Deceased

Jigme Tenzin, Age: late 20s, Malho, Kham, self immolate on March 16, 2014, Deceased

Dolma, Bathang, Kham, self immolated on March 29, 2014, current status: unknown

Thinley Namgyal, Age: 32, Kardze, Kham, self immolated on April 15, 2014, deceased

Lhamo Tashi, Age: 22, Kanlho, Amdo, Sep 17, 2014, deceased

Kunchok, Age: 42, Golog Amdo, self immolated on Nov 16, 2014, deceased

Sangye Khar, Age: 33, Kanlho, Amdo, self immolated on Dec 16, 2014, deceased

Tsephel, Age: 19, Ngaba, Amdo, self immolated on Dec 22, 2014 deceased

Kelsang Yeshi, Age: 135, Tawu, Kham, self immolated on Dec 23, 2014, deceased

Norchuk, Age: 47, Ngaba, Amdo, self immolated on March 5, 2014, deceased

Yeshi Khando, Age: 47, Kardze, Kham, self immolated on April 8, 2014, deceased

Ney Kyab, Age: 45, Ngaba, Amdo, self immolated on April 16, 2015, deceased

Tenzin Gyatso, Age: mid 30s, Tawu, Kham, self immolated on May 20, 2014, deceased

Sangye Tso, Age: 36, Kanlho, Amdo, self immolated on May 5, 2014, deceased

Sonam Topgyal, Age: 26, Yulshul, Amdo, self immolated on July 9, 2015, deceased

Tashi Kyi, Age: 55, Kanlho, Amdo, self immolated on August 27, 2015, deceased

Shurmo, Age: 26, Driru, Kham, self immolated on Sep 17, 2015, deceased

Kalsang Wangdu, Kardze, Kham, self immolated on Feb 29, 2016, Deceased

Sonam Tso, Age: around 50s, Kardze, Kham, self immolated on March 23, 2016, deceased

Tashi rabten, Age:

Pema Gyaltsen, Age:

Wangchuk Tseten, Age:

Chakdor Kyab, Age:

Jamyang Losal, Age:

Tenga, Age: 63, Kardze, Kham, self immolated on Nov 26, 2014, deceased

Konpe, Age:

Tsekho, Age: 44, Ngaba, Amdo, self immolated on March 7, 2018, Deceased

Dopo, Age: 23, Ngaba, Amdo, self immolated on Nov 4, 2018, deceased

Yonten, Age: 24, Ngaba, Amdo, self immolated on Nov 26, 2019, deceased

Tsewang Norbu, Nagchu, Kham, self immolated on Nov 26, 2022, deceased

Taphun, Age, 81, Ngaba, Amdo, self immolated on Mrach 27, 2022, deceased

Drugkho, self immolated on Dec 8, 2018, deceased

Self Immolators' Last words

“Father, being a Tibetan is so difficult. We can’t even say our prayer before the Dalai Lama’s portrait. We have no freedom at all…”

-Tamdin Tso, 23 year old, mother of a 7 year old boy

“The Chinese are not letting us live in peace, it’s better to die, better to die.”

-Lhamo Kyab, 27 year old

“Every nationality needs freedom, language and tradition. If we don’t have them, it would be extremely embarrassing for us.”

-Ngawang Norphel, 22 year old

“This is the twenty-first century, and this is the year in which so many Tibetan heroes have died. I am sacrificing my body both to stand in solidarity with them in flesh and blood. This is not to seek personal fame or glory.”

-Tulku Sonam Wangyal a.k.a Sopa Rinpoche, 42 year old

The Burning Questions