Update! See What Has Become of the Nomad Family Portrayed in Summer Pasture

Posted on May 15, 2012 by Brooke Shelby Biggs

Locho, Yama, and Pale Chubby Baby … where are they now? Lynn True, co-director of Summer Pasture, provided us with these fantastic video updates from the Tibetan plateau in which we discover what has happened to the nomad family in the years between the film’s completion and its broadcast last week on Independent Lens.

Catching Up with the Summer Pasture Family
In this update with the subjects of the Independent Lens documentary Summer Pasture, we catch up with Locho and Yama and their two daughters to see how their lives have changed since they were first filmed. Now they have certain modern amenities, like a cell phone and a television, on which they view the documentary about themselves. Afterwards, they share their thoughts about the film.

Education is a Priority for Summer Pasture Family
In this update with the subjects of the Independent Lens documentary Summer Pasture, we see Locho and Yama’s daughter Tsering Tsomo — now 5 years old — and her 3 year old sister, Drolkar Lhamo. Both parents agree that sending their girls to school is a high priority for the family, so that they will have greater opportunities and an appreciation for their Tibetan heritage.

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  • Tedichan

    I admire the desire, Locho and Yama have for their daughters to be educated. You can see in the original documentary the regret that they feel about not following their own dreams. They make you realize how lucky we are and at the same time almost envy them. I hope Yama will be okay. Hopefully someday Locho and Yama will be able to read and write so Locho won’t forget the sugar again. Thank you PBS and the filmmakers for showing us a remarkable family!! Please keep us posted!

  • Ted Merriman

    While leaning Tibetan is culturally important, the girls will be unable to go to high school unless they learn Chinese. And all the shops are owned by Han Chinese, who can get preferentially low interest loans, while Tibetans are unable to borrow capital from the Han-controlled banks. In these, and many other ways, the Tibetans are discriminated against by Chinese policies and Han bigotry. As one young Tibetan said to me, “I could care less about being granted autonomy, I just want equal rights! If they claim we’re part of China, we should be treated the same as the Chinese.”

  • Maryannerd01

    Thanks for the update. What a fascinating and thought provoking doc. Please continue with the updates. i especially want o know how Yama is being treated for her hepatitis.

  • Lojo

    A most interesting documentary. While their life is full of labor, they seem genuinely happy. I don’t think many North Americans would be able to exist in this lifestyle. I found this show to be very uplifting. I hope that educating their daughters will be possible; they seem very determined to attain that goal. I wish them health, happiness and success.

  • Dye

    I truly love the show! What a great family that they have!

  • Fiercebubbles

    What a blessing to meet Locho and Yama through this documentary. They make a beautiful family! I will think of them and pray for all to be well in health and education. I would love to see another update.

    • Barb_weber

      It would be interesting to follow the girls’ lives at least for the next few years to see how they do. Will they be learning Chinese? It is sad to think that their nomadic way of life may be disappearing, but it is a hard one as evidenced by the film.

      • Rick Steadman

        I agree. This documentary is very touching.