The Unknown World - Tibet, 1930s

[Music] on the other side of these mountains lies an unknown world to reach it our party set out with a well organized Expedition to attack the snowy passes and icy peaks that guard this unknown World from the rest of the globe it was hard work climbing these Frozen Heights but quickly forgotten as we reached the other side soon to leave the snow and ice behind us our hazardous Journey was well worth the trouble for we realized we were nearing the object of our Quest all our hardships all our troubles were behind us as we Advanced with our beasts of Burden through the straight of the rocky passes below for there before us shimmering in the sunlight lay that mystifying incomprehensible city of an unknown World shangrilla legendary city of Tibet it was an awesome and impressive of sight shangrilla who has not heard of it of the Strange Tales that a few daring Travelers have brought back from its mysterious depths of the Dil Lama the living Buddha who lives there secret and remote revered and worshiped by the millions of Buddhists who populate the continent of Asia at the foot of this holy city lies the Magnificent marble tombs of the former Dil Lamas revealing in their Simplicity of beauty an architecture unrivaled anywhere [Music] reaching the holy city we were pleasantly surprised the natives though astonished at our appearance greeted us cordially crowding the streets and staring at the strangers from the outside world we were lucky we had arrived on a fake day men quaintly dressed throng the streets ringing Bells the festivities were about to start the crowd gathered sitting everywhere and anywhere waiting for the main event which was to be a rest match yes there were lots of girls the wrestling match started in due course four contenders from various parts of the country were matched for the championship of [Music] Tibet the onlookers took it pretty casually even the girls some of whom were quite pretty [Music] the Tibetan idea of a cord de balet was the next number there were ceremonial dancers colorful and picturesque danc to a weird medley of instruments [Music] [Music] after this followed preparations for the main event of the day the great d dignitaries that came from all parts of the land Gathering Together preliminary to their walk through the city on route to the Abode of the Dil Lama the living Buddha who upon that day was to be looked upon by a privileged [Music] few on all sides trumpet blowers paed forth the approaching event then the procession began watched by reverential crows [Music] there were more horn blowers dancers men in queer masks the final ceremony took place in the great Courtyard of the Dil Lama's house where offerings were made to the Holy One and humble oance and devotion and [Music] adoration now all is suppressed excitement the time has come when men will be allowed to look upon the mysterious being who rules Tibet for the term of his Natural Life the Dil Lama the living Buddha Buddha who sits upon his throne a being unknown to the millions who worship Him the living Buddha An Almighty farseeing powerful ruler of a race and a religion the Dil Lama of shangula once he turned and looked fiercely I felt very uneasy so we lowered the camera Vice Roy who governs in the name of the ruler [Music] our Quest finished and back again in the hot and arid region in the goby desert gave one last look at the Fierce and rugged range which guards the unknown world of Tibet then with alarm noticed that the wind was Rising it looked like the scourge of the desert was about to strike us a sandstorm and in a few moments it did enveloping the camp only those who have traveled in the desert are able to realize the discomfort and hardships incurred in a sandstorm one can scarcely Breathe It suffocates men and animals alike [Music] [Music] [Applause] [Music] as the storm subsided we started for home and more comfortable quarters it was a difficult and dangerous trip but it had been worth it for we saw an act photograph the living Buddha [Music]