Home Institution
St. Lawrence University
Publication Date
Fall 2023
Abstract
Originally intended to be a report on the Nyeshang Valley and the cultural values that its people hold, Nyeshangpa quickly evolved into something different. Many thanks are given to the village elders who provided valuable insight into Nyeshangpa culture, but the most significant plaudits must go to the film’s main character, Karma Wangyal Gurung, my dear friend and invaluable co-researcher. Though a substantial portion of the film is dedicated to culture talk and general discussion on fading traditions, the spotlight is given to Karma and his fellow Nyeshangpa youth. A story of maintaining traditions is compelling enough, but a story of a young man and his friends inadvertently being thrust into the center of a cultural crossroads is incredible. One standout moment from the production of this film was when Karma turned to me after we had finished a shoot and told me that he had just learned facts about his own culture that he had never encountered before. It was then that I realized that we were not making a story about Nyeshang; we were making one about Karma. I decided to diverge from my previous idea which was to create cultural discussion amongst community members. Instead, I gave the microphone to Karma and had him step into the role of interviewer. In its final form, Nyeshangpa evolved from a predictable narrative of cultures lost to changing times, into an equally predictable trope of youth versus elders. Only this time, the roles were reversed. The title, Nyeshangpa, encompasses Karma’s struggle to locate his cultural identity. The alternative title though, Nga Phyongla Kangni Nangseyzey, which translates to Dreams of My Youth in Nyeshangte, is my personal favorite. More artistic perhaps, it incites a youthful willingness to fight the status quo and conjures the confused frustration that accompanies the inability to make impactful decisions.
Disciplines
Asian Studies | Community-Based Research | Film Production | Sociology of Culture
Recommended Citation
Brott, Emerson, "Nyeshangpa: The Next Generation’s Search for Identity in Nyeshang" (2023). Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection. 3846.
https://digitalcollections.sit.edu/isp_collection/3846
Included in
Asian Studies Commons, Community-Based Research Commons, Film Production Commons, Sociology of Culture Commons
Program Name
Nepal: Tibetan and Himalayan Peoples