Moyo

In Moyo, we were led towards Dawa-la the damyen player. Dawa-la was born in Lelung, in Kirong. He married into a Moyo family 14 years ago and came to live with his wife's family in the village. Since then he has won himself a reputation as the finest damyen player in Porong.

The expedition was lucky to catch him. In late September, all able bodied men leave their villages to cut grass on the plains. This age old tradition provides food for the animals throughout the long winter. Dawa-la left Moyo for the plains the day after these recordings were made.

The ornate damyen arrived in a procession that weaved through the dry stone walled streets of Moyo.

In the crowded recording room, the kettle whistled as Dawa-la sang songs from Kirong, Amdo, Kham, Saga, Lelung, and Lhasa.

The songs include vphyag snyan chung la mzdes pa, a song to Yanglin Lhama the goddess of the damyen; and bya de khrung dkar mo written by the 6th Dalai Lama.