Miss Tibet
Encyclopedia
Miss Tibet is an annual beauty pageant
held in Dharamshala, India
. It is produced by Lobsang Wangyal Productions. The pageant is a much-awaited annual Tibetan event, especially popular among the younger generation of Tibetans.
The purpose of the pageant is to provide a stage for young Tibetan women
"to demonstrate the full range of their capabilities and interests", and to provide "role models for the younger generation, as spokespeople for their culture
."
In 2002, only four Tibetan girls participated in the competition. In two editions — 2003 and 2005 — the pageant had only one participant. In those years, that participant became the default winner. In 2006, the swimsuit competition was opened to the public. It was a surprising event because traditional Tibetan women wear clothing to their ankles.
Miss Tibet 2002, Dolma Tsering, has competed in two international pageants. She also won the Miss Goodwill subsidiary title from the pageant in Malaysia and the Best National Costume from another pageant in Mexico
.
The Dalai Lama
considers the pageant unimportant, but it is still held due to popular demand..
Of late, the Chinese government has interfered, pressuring international directors to name Miss Tibet as "Miss Tibet-China". Two Miss Tibets had to withdraw from international pageants — Zimbabwe and Malaysia — after they were asked to wear sashes with this title. Miss Tibet 2007 Tenzin Dolma was asked to wear such a sash in the Philippines at the last minute, but she refused, and was allowed to go ahead with the Miss Tibet sash. Miss Tibet 2006 Tsering Chungtak withdrew from the Miss Tourism Pageant in Malaysia after Chinese government representatives pressured the organiser to enter her as "Miss Tibet-China" in November 2007. Miss Tibet 2004 Tashi Yangchen had to withdraw from a pageant in Zimbabwe after the Chinese embassy in Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe, in a similar case of Chinese interference, asked her to wear a "Miss Tibet-China" sash in February 2005.
In 2011, Tibet resumed to sent their delegate to an international beauty pageant. Miss Tibet 2011, Tenzin Yangkyi was sent to the Miss Asia Pacific World 2011
beauty pageant, held in Daegu
, Seoul
, and Busan
in South Korea
. During the pageant, Yangkyi got a pressure from the Chinese government to wear the "Tibet China" sash, but she refused. Instead, she decided to change the sash name to "Swiss Tibet", because she was a Swiss citizen.
beauty pageant.
Yangchen Metok, a 19-year-old girl who had escaped to India in 2008, was judged the first runner-up. She received 50,000.00 rupees. Rinchen Choden, a 25-year-old hair stylist from Bangalore, was chosen as the second runner-up. She was given a cheque of 25,000.00 rupees. The fourth place Tenzin Namchoe from Golok, Tibet, was given a token prize of 10,000 rupees.
Considering the Kyigudo earthquake in eastern Tibet in April, the pageant was kept low-profile. No firecrackers were set off, but instead a short prayer session was held at the opening of the show. Lobsang Wangyal
, the director and the producer of the event, gave Rs. 10,000 in donation to the victims of the earthquake.
Thousands of people in the audience cheered as the out-going beauty queen Tenzin Choezom crowned the new winner. A large number of media persons were also present to cover the event.
Kingfisher, a leading Indian brand, sponsored the pageant.
Thousands in the audience witnessed the crowning of Tenzin Choezom as the new Miss Tibet. Dr BK Modi, the Chairman of the Spice Corp, crowned the winner. He also presented a scholarship cheque of one lakh rupees (100,000 rs) to Choezom. Ngawang Choying was picked the first runner-up and Dolkar the second runner-up by a four member jury. Ngawang and Dolkar received scholarship cheques of 50,000 rs and 25,000 rs respectively. Yeshi was presented a consolation prize of 5,000 rs.
Sonam Choedon is a student. She is currently learning languages — English and Hindi. She is fluent in Tibetan and Chinese.
pageant in the Philippines in November 2007.
Tsering Yangzom from Kollegal Tibetan settlement, south India, was the First runner-up. She received Rs 50,000 in scholarship. She was also the Miss Photogenic, receiving 1170 of the 3156 votes cast online at misstibet.com.
Deeki Dolma from Gangtok, Sikkim, was declared the Second runner-up. She received Rs 25,000.
Beauty contest
A beauty pageant or beauty contest, is a competition that mainly focuses on the physical beauty of its contestants, although such contests often incorporate personality, talent, and answers to judges' questions as judged criteria...
held in Dharamshala, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. It is produced by Lobsang Wangyal Productions. The pageant is a much-awaited annual Tibetan event, especially popular among the younger generation of Tibetans.
The purpose of the pageant is to provide a stage for young Tibetan women
Tibetan people
The Tibetan people are an ethnic group that is native to Tibet, which is mostly in the People's Republic of China. They number 5.4 million and are the 10th largest ethnic group in the country. Significant Tibetan minorities also live in India, Nepal, and Bhutan...
"to demonstrate the full range of their capabilities and interests", and to provide "role models for the younger generation, as spokespeople for their culture
Tibetan culture
Tibetan culture developed under the influence of a number of factors. Contact with neighboring countries and cultures- including Nepal, India and China - have influenced the development of Tibetan culture, but the Himalayan region's remoteness and inaccessibility have preserved distinctive local...
."
History
The first-ever Miss Tibet Pageant was held in October 2002 and was a success despite criticism from some prominent figures of the Tibetan community. The pageant was criticized as "aping western culture" and "un-Tibetan". The pageant has continued yearly since then.In 2002, only four Tibetan girls participated in the competition. In two editions — 2003 and 2005 — the pageant had only one participant. In those years, that participant became the default winner. In 2006, the swimsuit competition was opened to the public. It was a surprising event because traditional Tibetan women wear clothing to their ankles.
Miss Tibet 2002, Dolma Tsering, has competed in two international pageants. She also won the Miss Goodwill subsidiary title from the pageant in Malaysia and the Best National Costume from another pageant in Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
.
The Dalai Lama
14th Dalai Lama
The 14th Dalai Lama is the 14th and current Dalai Lama. Dalai Lamas are the most influential figures in the Gelugpa lineage of Tibetan Buddhism, although the 14th has consolidated control over the other lineages in recent years...
considers the pageant unimportant, but it is still held due to popular demand..
Of late, the Chinese government has interfered, pressuring international directors to name Miss Tibet as "Miss Tibet-China". Two Miss Tibets had to withdraw from international pageants — Zimbabwe and Malaysia — after they were asked to wear sashes with this title. Miss Tibet 2007 Tenzin Dolma was asked to wear such a sash in the Philippines at the last minute, but she refused, and was allowed to go ahead with the Miss Tibet sash. Miss Tibet 2006 Tsering Chungtak withdrew from the Miss Tourism Pageant in Malaysia after Chinese government representatives pressured the organiser to enter her as "Miss Tibet-China" in November 2007. Miss Tibet 2004 Tashi Yangchen had to withdraw from a pageant in Zimbabwe after the Chinese embassy in Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe, in a similar case of Chinese interference, asked her to wear a "Miss Tibet-China" sash in February 2005.
In 2011, Tibet resumed to sent their delegate to an international beauty pageant. Miss Tibet 2011, Tenzin Yangkyi was sent to the Miss Asia Pacific World 2011
Miss Asia Pacific World 2011
Miss Asia Pacific World 2011, was held in Daegu, Busan, Seoul, South Korea. The winner of this pageant is Florima Treiber of France.-Placements:-Special Awards:-Judges:*Miyako Miyazaki - Miss Universe Japan 2003...
beauty pageant, held in Daegu
Daegu
Daegu , also known as Taegu, and officially the Daegu Metropolitan City, is a city in South Korea, the fourth largest after Seoul, Busan, and Incheon, and the third largest metropolitan area in the country with over 2.5 million residents. The city is the capital and principal city of the...
, Seoul
Seoul
Seoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
, and Busan
Busan
Busan , formerly spelled Pusan is South Korea's second largest metropolis after Seoul, with a population of around 3.6 million. The Metropolitan area population is 4,399,515 as of 2010. It is the largest port city in South Korea and the fifth largest port in the world...
in South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
. During the pageant, Yangkyi got a pressure from the Chinese government to wear the "Tibet China" sash, but she refused. Instead, she decided to change the sash name to "Swiss Tibet", because she was a Swiss citizen.
Miss Tibet 2011
Miss Tibet Pageant 2011 was the 10th edition of the annual event. The pageant was held in Dharamshala from 3 to 5 June. Tenzin Yangkyi was selected by the judges as Miss Tibet 2011. She represented Tibet in the Miss Asia Pacific World 2011Miss Asia Pacific World 2011
Miss Asia Pacific World 2011, was held in Daegu, Busan, Seoul, South Korea. The winner of this pageant is Florima Treiber of France.-Placements:-Special Awards:-Judges:*Miyako Miyazaki - Miss Universe Japan 2003...
beauty pageant.
List of Contestants
| Name | Age | Education | Hometown |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chemi Lhazom | 25 | MBA | Delhi Delhi Delhi , officially National Capital Territory of Delhi , is the largest metropolis by area and the second-largest by population in India, next to Mumbai. It is the eighth largest metropolis in the world by population with 16,753,265 inhabitants in the Territory at the 2011 Census... , India India India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world... |
| Dolma Tsering | 25 | Bachelor of Computer Science | Bangalore Bangalore Bengaluru , formerly called Bengaluru is the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka. Bangalore is nicknamed the Garden City and was once called a pensioner's paradise. Located on the Deccan Plateau in the south-eastern part of Karnataka, Bangalore is India's third most populous city and... , India India India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world... |
| Ngodup Dolma | 25 | Bachelor of Nursing | Australia Australia Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area... |
| Tenzin Khecho | 20 | In college | Minnesota Minnesota Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state... , United States United States The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district... |
| Tenzin Sangmo | 25 | Bachelor of Commerce | Dharamshala, India India India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world... |
| Tenzin Yangkyi | 17 | Class X | Zurich Zürich Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland and the capital of the canton of Zurich. It is located in central Switzerland at the northwestern tip of Lake Zurich... , Switzerland Switzerland Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition.... |
Miss Tibet 2010
Tenzin Norzom from Varanasi, holder of a Shastri degree (equivalent to Bachelor of Arts in Buddhist Philosophy), was crowned Miss Tibet 2010 at the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts in Mcleod Ganj, India, on 6 June 2010. She received one lakh (100,000.00) Indian rupees (equivalent to 2,200 USD). After the crowning, Norzom said she would use the title to promote the Tibetan cause.Yangchen Metok, a 19-year-old girl who had escaped to India in 2008, was judged the first runner-up. She received 50,000.00 rupees. Rinchen Choden, a 25-year-old hair stylist from Bangalore, was chosen as the second runner-up. She was given a cheque of 25,000.00 rupees. The fourth place Tenzin Namchoe from Golok, Tibet, was given a token prize of 10,000 rupees.
Considering the Kyigudo earthquake in eastern Tibet in April, the pageant was kept low-profile. No firecrackers were set off, but instead a short prayer session was held at the opening of the show. Lobsang Wangyal
Lobsang Wangyal
Lobsang Wangyal is a photojournalist and event producer, based in McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala, India. He has been a stringer reporter and photographer for Agence France-Presse for many years....
, the director and the producer of the event, gave Rs. 10,000 in donation to the victims of the earthquake.
Thousands of people in the audience cheered as the out-going beauty queen Tenzin Choezom crowned the new winner. A large number of media persons were also present to cover the event.
Kingfisher, a leading Indian brand, sponsored the pageant.
List of Contestants
| Name | Age | Education | Hometown |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rinchen Choden | 25 | Bachelor of Commerce | Tawang, India India India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world... |
| Tenzin Namchoe | 22 | Bachelor of Social Work | Lhasa Lhasa Lhasa is the administrative capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region in the People's Republic of China and the second most populous city on the Tibetan Plateau, after Xining. At an altitude of , Lhasa is one of the highest cities in the world... , Tibet Tibet Tibet is a plateau region in Asia, north-east of the Himalayas. It is the traditional homeland of the Tibetan people as well as some other ethnic groups such as Monpas, Qiang, and Lhobas, and is now also inhabited by considerable numbers of Han and Hui people... |
| Tenzin Norzom | 24 | Shastri degree (= Bachelor of Arts) | Hunsur Hunsur Hunsur is a taluk in Mysore district in the Indian state of Karnataka.Its main claim to fame was that former Chief minister of Karnataka state Sri D. Devaraj Urs hailed from this constituency of Karnataka Legislative Assembly and famous film director Hunsur Krishnamurthy hailed from here. It... , India India India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world... |
| Yangchen Metok | 19 | Class VIII | Golok Golok right|thumb|Golok copying the Martindale No 2 designThe golok is a type of machete or broadsword originating in Southeast Asia. The word golok is of Indonesian origin but is also used in Malaysia and is known as gulok in the Philippines... , Tibet Tibet Tibet is a plateau region in Asia, north-east of the Himalayas. It is the traditional homeland of the Tibetan people as well as some other ethnic groups such as Monpas, Qiang, and Lhobas, and is now also inhabited by considerable numbers of Han and Hui people... |
Miss Tibet 2009
Miss Tibet 2009 was held from 16-18 June 2009. The finale was held on 7 June at Tipa. The four participants arrived in Mcleod Ganj on 28 May. A week's training was given from 29 May, until 4 June. The first round — the swim suit round — of the Miss Tibet pageant 2009 was held on 5 June. Two more rounds — talk and talent rounds — was held on 6 June. The remaining four rounds — introduction, evening gown, traditional costume and interview rounds — were held on 7 June at Tipa.Thousands in the audience witnessed the crowning of Tenzin Choezom as the new Miss Tibet. Dr BK Modi, the Chairman of the Spice Corp, crowned the winner. He also presented a scholarship cheque of one lakh rupees (100,000 rs) to Choezom. Ngawang Choying was picked the first runner-up and Dolkar the second runner-up by a four member jury. Ngawang and Dolkar received scholarship cheques of 50,000 rs and 25,000 rs respectively. Yeshi was presented a consolation prize of 5,000 rs.
List of Contestants
| Name | Age | Education | Hometown |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dolkar | 24 | Graduate | Dehra Dun, India India India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world... |
| Ngawang Choying | 18 | School | Darjeeling, India India India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world... |
| Tenzin Choezom | 20 | College | Dharamshala, India India India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world... |
| Yeshi Lhamo | 24 | Diploma in nursing | Delhi Delhi Delhi , officially National Capital Territory of Delhi , is the largest metropolis by area and the second-largest by population in India, next to Mumbai. It is the eighth largest metropolis in the world by population with 16,753,265 inhabitants in the Territory at the 2011 Census... , India India India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world... |
Miss Tibet 2008
Miss Tibet Pageant 2008 was held on Sunday 12 October 2008 at The Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA), Dharamshala, India. Two young women competed for the crown — Sonam Choedon, who came from Tibet to India in June 2008, and Jamyang Chentso, born in India Sonam Choedon won the title.Sonam Choedon is a student. She is currently learning languages — English and Hindi. She is fluent in Tibetan and Chinese.
List of Contestants
| Name | Age | Education | Hometown |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jamyang Chentso | 22 | High School | Kham Kham Kham , is a historical region covering a land area largely divided between present-day Tibetan Autonomous Region and Sichuan province, with smaller portions located within Qinghai, Gansu and Yunnan provinces of China. During the Republic of China's rule over mainland China , most of the region was... , Tibet Tibet Tibet is a plateau region in Asia, north-east of the Himalayas. It is the traditional homeland of the Tibetan people as well as some other ethnic groups such as Monpas, Qiang, and Lhobas, and is now also inhabited by considerable numbers of Han and Hui people... |
| Sonam Choedon | 18 | High School | Darjeeling, India India India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world... |
Miss Tibet 2007
Miss Tibet Pageant 2007 was held from 12 to 14 October 2007 in McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala, India. Five young Tibetan women took part in the pageant. Tenzin Dolma from McLeod Ganj was crowned Miss Tibet 2007. She received a scholarship cheque of Rs 100,000 (2,500 USD). She represented Tibet in the Miss Earth 2007Miss Earth 2007
Miss Earth 2007, the seventh Miss Earth beauty pageant, was held on November 11, 2007 at the UP Theater in Quezon City, Philippines. The delegates also visited Nha Trang, Vietnam. 88 delegates competed for the title, making 2007 the largest edition of delegates for Miss Earth. The pageant was...
pageant in the Philippines in November 2007.
Tsering Yangzom from Kollegal Tibetan settlement, south India, was the First runner-up. She received Rs 50,000 in scholarship. She was also the Miss Photogenic, receiving 1170 of the 3156 votes cast online at misstibet.com.
Deeki Dolma from Gangtok, Sikkim, was declared the Second runner-up. She received Rs 25,000.
List of Contestants
| Name | Age | Education | Hometown |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deeki Dolma | 20 | College | Sikkim Sikkim Sikkim is a landlocked Indian state nestled in the Himalayan mountains... , India India India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world... |
| Tenzin Dolma | 21 | College | Dharamshala, India India India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world... |
| Tenzin Pema | 19 | B.A. | Dehra Dun, India India India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world... |
| Tenzing Dolma | 25 | MBA | Sikkim Sikkim Sikkim is a landlocked Indian state nestled in the Himalayan mountains... , India India India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world... |
| Tsering Yangzom | 20 | College | Karnataka Karnataka Karnataka , the land of the Kannadigas, is a state in South West India. It was created on 1 November 1956, with the passing of the States Reorganisation Act and this day is annually celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava... , India India India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world... |
Winners
| Year | Winner | 1st Runner Up | 2nd Runner Up | Origin | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Tenzin Yangkyi | Ngodup Dolma | Dolma Tsering | Zurich, Switzerland | Tenzin Yangkyi is a high school student in Zurich, Switzerland. She intends to become a professional model. |
| 2010 | Tenzin Norzom | Yangchen Metok | Rinchen Choden | Varanasi, India | Tenzin Norzom holds a Shastri Degree. She was born in Hunsur Tibetan settlement in South India. |
| 2009 | Tenzin Choezom | Ngawang Choying | Dolkar | Dharamshala, India | Tenzin Choezom is from Suja, near Bir in Himachal Pradesh. She has completed class XII, and is doing a computer course at the moment. |
| 2008 | Sonam Choedon | Jamyang Chentso | n/a | Kham, Tibet | In 2008, there were only two contestants, and hence there was no 2nd runner-up. Sonam Choedon didn't compete in any international pageant. Sonam Choedon is in Bylakuppe in South India, studying English and Buddhist philosophy. |
| 2007 | Tenzin Dolma | Tsering Yangzom | Deeki Dolma | Dharamshala, India | Miss Earth Pageant 2007, The Philippines |
| 2006 | Tsering Chungtak Tsering Chungtak Tsering Chungtak is a Tibetan beauty queen who represented Tibet in the 2006 edition of the environmentally oriented beauty pageant, Miss Earth... |
Wangchuk Palmo | Tseten Yangzom | Shillong, India | Miss Earth Pageant 2006, The Philippines Miss Tourism Pageant 2007, Malaysia |
| 2005 | Tenzin Nyima | n/a | n/a | Bylakuppe, India | The 2005 Pageant had only one contestant. |
| 2004 | Tashi Yangchen | Gangtok, Sikkim | Expelled: Miss Tourism World Pageant Zimbabwe, due to pressure from China | ||
| 2003 | Tsering Kyi | n/a | n/a | Amdo, Tibet | The 2005 Pageant had only one contestant. Tsering Kyi met Prince Charles in New Delhi India, October 2003 |
| 2002 | Dolma Tsering | Minyak, Tibet | Participant: Miss Tourism Intercontinental Pageant 2003, Malaysia Winner: Best National Costume, Queen of Tourism International 2003, Mexico |
External links and references
- Little Lhasa: Reflections on Exiled Tibet, by Tsering Namgyal. Chapter 5, "Miss Tibet", pp. 65-77.
- Official site of Lobsang Wangyal Productions
- Official site of Miss Earth Pageant
- Official site of Miss Tibet Pageant