We Measure the Earth with Our Bodies by Tsering Yangzom Lama is a powerful novel that explores the lives of Tibetan women in the context of displacement, identity, and resilience. The story is set against the backdrop of the Tibetan diaspora, primarily following the journey of three women: Lhamo, her younger sister Dukte, and their mother. The novel begins with the traumatic Chinese invasion of Tibet, which forces the family to flee their homeland in search of safety. The destruction of their village marks the start of a profound journey, one that takes them across the perilous Himalayas and into Nepal, where they must navigate the difficult realities of being refugees.
As the family struggles with the physical and emotional toll of exile, We Measure the Earth with Our Bodies paints a vivid portrait of the refugee experience. Lhamo and Dukte are forced to grapple with the grief of losing their home, their people, and the land they once knew. Lhamo, the elder sister, finds herself torn between preserving her Tibetan identity and adapting to a new life in Nepal. The novel delves into her internal conflict as she tries to honor her heritage while dealing with the overwhelming challenges of displacement. As they encounter new cultures and circumstances, the sisters’ bond and the memory of their homeland become central to their survival and sense of self.
Throughout the novel, Yangzom Lama masterfully intertwines the personal and the political, using the family’s struggles as a lens to examine the broader experience of the Tibetan exile community. The story highlights the resilience of these women as they face unimaginable hardships, yet still hold on to their hopes and dreams. The novel reflects not only on the trauma of loss but also on the healing power of memory, love, and the preservation of culture. In their new lives as refugees, Lhamo, Dukte, and their mother must continually adjust to their changing surroundings while trying to maintain their connection to their past.
The novel also explores themes of belonging, home, and the strength of family ties. Lhamo's journey is marked by her search for a sense of place, as she feels caught between the memory of her lost homeland and the reality of her present life. The women’s shared experiences of displacement bring them closer together, but also highlight the complexities of their individual emotions and responses to their circumstances. The bonds between mother and daughters are tested, but ultimately, these relationships become the foundation for their resilience.
We Measure the Earth with Our Bodies is a deeply moving exploration of what it means to be displaced, to lose one’s homeland, and to find a way to endure. Through the lens of Lhamo and her family, Yangzom Lama reflects on the enduring strength of the Tibetan spirit, the importance of cultural memory, and the enduring question of what it means to belong when one's homeland is no longer accessible. The novel is not just about exile; it is also about the power of survival, hope, and the unbreakable ties that bind families and cultures across time and space.
