International Journal For Multidisciplinary Research

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The Dress of the Exiled Tibetan Community in India: Navigating Changes for Cultural Continuity & Identity Formation

Author(s) Ms. Anahita Suri, Prof. Dr. Malini Divakala
Country India
Abstract This study examines the evolution of traditional Tibetan dress within the Indian diaspora and its significance in sustaining cultural continuity and identity formation following the 1959 exodus prompted by the Chinese occupation of Tibet. The displacement of thousands of Tibetans and the establishment of over 35 settlements across India created new socio-cultural environments in which traditional practices required adaptation. Within this context, dress has remained a vital medium for expressing collective memory, cultural resilience and a sense of belonging. Tibetan clothing carries symbolic meanings that extend beyond function, serving as a cultural, emotional and political anchor for a community negotiating life in exile.
Using visual ethnography, participant observation, literature analysis, oral histories and surveys conducted in New Delhi, Chandragiri (Odisha), Darjeeling and McLeod Ganj, this research documents both transformation and continuity in Tibetan dress. While traditional garments in Tibet were crafted from indigenous wool, yak hair and felt suited to the plateau climate, exile introduced new material conditions, making cotton, synthetics and mill-woven textiles more accessible. Though materials have changed, enduring silhouettes and layered constructions reflect a strong commitment to cultural preservation.
The findings show that, despite climatic adjustments, external influences and modern style aspirations, traditional dress remains a powerful marker of identity in exile. Participation in festivals, religious ceremonies and community events reinforces these practices, transforming clothing into a daily expression of cultural pride. Ultimately, Tibetan dress in exile emerges as a living embodiment of resistance, memory and cohesion—a vital medium through which the diaspora preserves heritage, negotiates belonging and asserts collective identity amid displacement.
Keywords Cultural Continuity, Diaspora Community, Identity Formation, Material Adaptation, Tibetans Dress
Field Arts > Fashion
Published In Volume 7, Issue 6, November-December 2025
Published On 2025-12-05
DOI https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2025.v07i06.62607
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