Is this your first time to hear a beauty pageant with only two contestants? Yes, Miss Tibet can't get more contestants because this small territory is very conservative. The pageant has to go on. At least there is a pageant of this kind unlike in Nepal where it has to be canceled because of a pressure and threats from the Maoists.
Here is an article coming from newpostonline.com
Miss Tibet 2008 beauty pageant attracts only two contestants
Two Tibetan damsels will compete in the Miss Tibet 2008 beauty pageant starting here on October 12.
The names of the only two participants will be disclosed on Sunday.
Tibetans say that current unrest in Tibet and their extremely conservative society are factors responsible for the poor response.
“From my point of view, at least I can imagine something that probably because of the recent unrest in Tibet, starting March and then it continued in throughout April, May, June. There isn’t any an atmosphere for celebrations within Tibetan society. So I think Tibetan girls are shying away from that,” said Lobsang Wangyal, Director Miss Tibet Pageant.
Wangyal added that continuation of Miss Tibet beauty pageant would definitely help in improving Tibetan society.
The winner will receive 100,000 rupees, while the runners-up will receive 50,000 rupees. Dolma Tseringkyi, Miss Tibet 2003 agrees that traditional values and the political unrest is preventing Tibetan girls from participating in the event.
“It’s really very disappointing that there are only two ladies this year. One thing is the social pressure and the other is the traditional thinking,” she said.
Tseringkyi represented Tibet in Miss Tourism World contests in Malaysia and Mexico, winning the Miss Goodwill and best National Costumes titles respectively.
Miss Tibet 2006 was able to enter the Miss Earth 2006 competition in the Philippines. Lobsang Wangyal Productions started the pageant in 2002 when a majority of the four short-listed girls backed out facing flak from community leaders. The pageant has survived through the years, at times witnessing only a single participant.
The pageant has had its share of successes and failures on the international stage.
i'm a tibetan myself.i wouldn't have any qualms particpating in a beauty pageant except for the fact that i'm only 5'3 and to be honest, who has the time to enrol in a b.pageant? not me!i'm in my 3rd year at college and i have everything but time.I find it naive and ignorant when people assume that tibetan women aren't partipating because of cultural pressure which is totally not true for all women. tibetans are possibly one of the most tolerant people ever. seriously, we have none of the arranged marriage stuff and daughters and sons are treated equally. just because we're asian, doesn't mean you have to lump us as terribly conservative people and project us as a supressed people(in terms of our lifestyle).
ReplyDeleteHi Miss Tibet. I am glad you find your way here. I appreciate your time of writing me a message of enlightenment. Thanks. I'll keep it in my mind. Enjoy reading my blog.
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