An official from the Tibet Autonomous Region has denied allegations that they forced Tibetans to wear animal fur at a recent major event, which was alleged to be a deliberate political statement against the Dalai Lama's anti-fur movement.
A Sunday report by Radio Free Asia (RFA) quoted a Tibetan living in Belgium as saying that the government of Biru county, in central Tibet, had ordered residents in the region to wear traditional Tibetan attire with fur during a performance at an event to mark the founding of the People's Liberation Army of China on August 1.
Zhou Zhanping, head of the Biru county publicity department, told the Global Times that the local government did not issue such an order, and that there were no performances on the August 1 anniversary.
The official said the last time local Tibetans wore fur was on July 25 at a local tourism and arts festival. The performers were encouraged to wear traditional clothing during a performance at the festival, he said. Animal fur is often part of their traditional clothing, and was natural for them to use it, he added.
Zhou also said that officials never threatened residents that if they did not wear fur, they will be banned from harvesting caterpillar fungi for five years. The RFA report alleged that the local government used that threat as a way to force the Tibetans in the county, since a majority live off selling caterpillar fungi which are highly valued for their purported medicinal benefits.
Whether or not Tibetans should continue to wear fur as part of their attire has sparked debate in recent years following a call made by the Dalai Lama during a major religious festival in India in 2006, urging Tibetans to stop wearing animal fur, causing many across Tibet to burn animal skins.
In January, controversy surrounding the issue resurfaced after images circulated online showed a number of delegates who appeared to be wearing fur from wild animals as part of their attire during the annual legislative and political advisory sessions in Tibet. The RFA report alleged that local Chinese authorities deliberately defied the Dalai Lama's call by forcing Tibetans to wear fur as "a political show."
A Tibet-based expert who requested anonymity told the Global Times that it is common for Tibetans to wear traditional clothing with animal fur during special occasions, and such practices should not be politicized.
"Separatist groups and overseas media have always used this traditional practice as an excuse to divide the people in Tibet and rally support," said the expert.
"We wear animal fur during important occasions such as weddings or New Year. But young people here are now reluctant to wear fur," a Lhasa resident called Lhadon told the Global Times.
Another Tibetan told the Global Times that in recent years, many Tibetans have stopped wearing animal fur because of the growing awareness of animal rights, while some like herself have opted not to wear them also because it was against their religious beliefs.
