Namgyal: former serf's new life of abundance and prosperity

Namgyal plays the accordion with his granddaughter aside at his home in Doilungdeqen District of Lhasa, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, March 13, 2024.

Born in 1945, Namgyal grew up in what is now Doilungdeqen District in Lhasa.

Namgyal recalled that his worst memory was the rain, which would seep through the leaky roof and wet his only suit of clothing, leaving him to continue working for the serf owner the next day in soaked clothes.

After the democratic reform in 1959, life of Namgyal and his family totally changed. The family of four received dwellings, livestock and farmland. Namgyal learned to play the accordion and became a member of the Doilungdeqen art troupe. He later had the opportunities to perform in Beijing and many other cities in China.

The four children of Namgyal earned successful careers and all of his eight grandchildren received good education and made their ways into universities.

"I couldn't imagine a better life," Namgyal said. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje)

A granddaughter of Namgyal offers him a bowl of nuts at his home in Doilungdeqen District of Lhasa, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, March 13, 2024.

Born in 1945, Namgyal grew up in what is now Doilungdeqen District in Lhasa.

Namgyal recalled that his worst memory was the rain, which would seep through the leaky roof and wet his only suit of clothing, leaving him to continue working for the serf owner the next day in soaked clothes.

After the democratic reform in 1959, life of Namgyal and his family totally changed. The family of four received dwellings, livestock and farmland. Namgyal learned to play the accordion and became a member of the Doilungdeqen art troupe. He later had the opportunities to perform in Beijing and many other cities in China.

The four children of Namgyal earned successful careers and all of his eight grandchildren received good education and made their ways into universities.

"I couldn't imagine a better life," Namgyal said. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje)

This photo taken on March 13, 2024 shows the ID card of Namgyal.

Born in 1945, Namgyal grew up in what is now Doilungdeqen District in Lhasa.

Namgyal recalled that his worst memory was the rain, which would seep through the leaky roof and wet his only suit of clothing, leaving him to continue working for the serf owner the next day in soaked clothes.

After the democratic reform in 1959, life of Namgyal and his family totally changed. The family of four received dwellings, livestock and farmland. Namgyal learned to play the accordion and became a member of the Doilungdeqen art troupe. He later had the opportunities to perform in Beijing and many other cities in China.

The four children of Namgyal earned successful careers and all of his eight grandchildren received good education and made their ways into universities.

"I couldn't imagine a better life," Namgyal said. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje)

This photo taken on March 13, 2024 shows a portrait of Namgyal.

Born in 1945, Namgyal grew up in what is now Doilungdeqen District in Lhasa.

Namgyal recalled that his worst memory was the rain, which would seep through the leaky roof and wet his only suit of clothing, leaving him to continue working for the serf owner the next day in soaked clothes.

After the democratic reform in 1959, life of Namgyal and his family totally changed. The family of four received dwellings, livestock and farmland. Namgyal learned to play the accordion and became a member of the Doilungdeqen art troupe. He later had the opportunities to perform in Beijing and many other cities in China.

The four children of Namgyal earned successful careers and all of his eight grandchildren received good education and made their ways into universities.

"I couldn't imagine a better life," Namgyal said. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje)

Namgyal (2nd L) and family members pose for a photo at his home in Doilungdeqen District of Lhasa, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, March 13, 2024.

Born in 1945, Namgyal grew up in what is now Doilungdeqen District in Lhasa.

Namgyal recalled that his worst memory was the rain, which would seep through the leaky roof and wet his only suit of clothing, leaving him to continue working for the serf owner the next day in soaked clothes.

After the democratic reform in 1959, life of Namgyal and his family totally changed. The family of four received dwellings, livestock and farmland. Namgyal learned to play the accordion and became a member of the Doilungdeqen art troupe. He later had the opportunities to perform in Beijing and many other cities in China.

The four children of Namgyal earned successful careers and all of his eight grandchildren received good education and made their ways into universities.

"I couldn't imagine a better life," Namgyal said. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje)

Namgyal waters plants at his home in Doilungdeqen District of Lhasa, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, March 13, 2024.

Born in 1945, Namgyal grew up in what is now Doilungdeqen District in Lhasa.

Namgyal recalled that his worst memory was the rain, which would seep through the leaky roof and wet his only suit of clothing, leaving him to continue working for the serf owner the next day in soaked clothes.

After the democratic reform in 1959, life of Namgyal and his family totally changed. The family of four received dwellings, livestock and farmland. Namgyal learned to play the accordion and became a member of the Doilungdeqen art troupe. He later had the opportunities to perform in Beijing and many other cities in China.

The four children of Namgyal earned successful careers and all of his eight grandchildren received good education and made their ways into universities.

"I couldn't imagine a better life," Namgyal said. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje)

Namgyal waters plants at his home in Doilungdeqen District of Lhasa, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, March 13, 2024.

Born in 1945, Namgyal grew up in what is now Doilungdeqen District in Lhasa.

Namgyal recalled that his worst memory was the rain, which would seep through the leaky roof and wet his only suit of clothing, leaving him to continue working for the serf owner the next day in soaked clothes.

After the democratic reform in 1959, life of Namgyal and his family totally changed. The family of four received dwellings, livestock and farmland. Namgyal learned to play the accordion and became a member of the Doilungdeqen art troupe. He later had the opportunities to perform in Beijing and many other cities in China.

The four children of Namgyal earned successful careers and all of his eight grandchildren received good education and made their ways into universities.

"I couldn't imagine a better life," Namgyal said. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje)