Au pays des Goloks
Lionel Cousin
1988 - 26 min - 16 mm - Couleur - France

Expedition : to far west China, round Mount Amnematchen, the second most sacred mountain in Tibet.
Having left Pekin, after a stop at Koumboum, the Lama's most important monastery, which has been uniquely spared by the cultural revolution ; we reach the foot of the mountain.
We follow in the steps of the Goloks pilgrims who, after warring with the Chinese and after the restrictions which ensued, are beginning, once agin, to take up the pilgrimages around their mountain. As fervent Buddists, the nomads were reputed to respect all forms of life with one exception : that of human life.
It takes us twelve days, in the company of five Golok riders guiding us and fifteen yaks, to circle the moutain in the ritual direction. The crossing of moutain streams, the climbing through mountain passes, the 4,000 to 5,000 metre altitude, the sudden changes in climate ; all these intersperse our journey.