New Books on Amdo
The Amdo Research Network (ARN) is excited to invite you to the inaugural event of the New Books on Amdo book discussion series. For our first event, we will host Professor Shannon Ward and Professor Timothy Thurston, who will discuss their newly published books on Amdo. This discussion will take place on Zoom on May 29, 2025, from 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM (EST). Professor Huatse Gyal will moderate the discussion. Please remember to register for this event. Below is a brief summary of each book.
Amdo Lullaby: An Ethnography of Childhood and Language Shift on the Tibetan Plateau by Shannon Ward offers an original analysis of Tibetan children’s vital role in community efforts for cultural survival through their dynamic use of languages. Amdo Lullaby examines how Tibetan children actively engage with multiple languages, despite prevailing language ideologies that encourage monolingualism.
Satirical Tibet: The Politics of Humor in Contemporary Amdo by Timothy Thurston explores the dynamic and diverse Tibetan comedy scenes that emerged after the death of Mao Zedong and the rise of ethnic revival politics in Amdo. This in-depth ethnography offers the first-ever look at how humor or the ever-changing art of Tibetan Zurza allows Tibetans to shape their society while navigating tightly controlled media channels.
