Nepal: The Great Plunder | 101 East
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- Опубликовано: 18 июл 2018
- On the global art market, Himalayan statues of religious deities fetch millions of dollars. But to the Nepalese, they are living Gods who have been stolen from their communities.
In this exclusive Al Jazeera investigation, 101 East senior presenter and reporter Steve Chao takes viewers on a breathtaking journey across the Himalayas, to reveal how the art world’s hunger for ancient artifacts is destroying a culture centuries old.
As he seeks to expose the international black market in religious treasures, Chao travels across Nepal from its capital Kathmandu to remote and ancient Buddhist temples in Mustang.
Since the 1980s, authorities estimate thieves have plundered tens of thousands of Nepalese antiquities. About 80 percent of the countries religious artifacts have been stolen and sold into the $8 billion-a-year illegal black market in art.
But as 101 East discovers, Nepalese are now taking a stand and demanding a stop to the plunder of their greatest treasures.
Local guide Tashi Bista says the thefts are hurting communities and their ability to worship.
"When thieves look at our centuries-old statues and deities, they see millions of dollars of profit. To us, they are living, breathing Gods," says Bista. "The thieves are destroying an ancient way of life for us."
Posing as a prospective buyer, Steve Chao goes undercover to meet black market art dealers and learn how they bribe officials to falsify papers so that they can export antiques from Nepal. After showing his undercover filming to Nepalese police, Chao helps authorities conduct a sting on some of the country’s most prominent antique dealers, leading to their arrests.
Set against a stunning natural backdrop, this is the story of how treasures from an ancient time are being stolen and sold to the highest bidder, leaving a culture in peril.
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Steve chao deserves a appreciation from nepal govt.. What a impactful and responsible journalism... Journalism for goodwill of the society.. 👍
qwerty kumar 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽💯
same thing Aryans did with India's all Buddhist stupas and temples. ashoka built millions of stupas and temples of Buddha, but now all are converted into Hindu temples. tirupati temple is one of them they covered with lots of jewelry to hide buddha statue.
Indeed but some or all of these masterpieces should be in a museum in Kathmandu....
I think appreciation from Nepalese people will be much better cause our government has, will and is still looting our country
@@milindpatil8085 Stop spreading fake message
Tashi is such an impressive man. He speaks multiple languages and he is so knowledgable. A larger chunk of the younger population is moving abroad while he stays in Mustang trying to conserve their culture and what's left of the ancient artifacts.
Not all heroes wear capes. What Tashi has done to protect and preserve the artifacts is remarkable. I have a huge respect for him for taking initiatives to protect the treasures that are culturally and religiously significant to Nepal.
Nepal has a special place in my heart! As a Buddhist and visitor I fell in love with the holy sites and the people! This is so terrible. Heavy karma to steal these things! You can buy beautiful modern holy items from the great modern craftsmen in Nepal!
I'm a Tibetan and the Mustang culture is descended from the ancient Tibetan Empire and the Sakya Tibetan Buddhist school that emerged at the time of the Mongolian Empire. Thank you for your great service, the Tibetan cultural sphere needs to reform as this isn't a world where people will leave stupas alone or monasteries unrobbed. Inventorying artifacts is a great first step. In Buddhism we have the theory of the nirmanakaya (physical body of a Buddha), sambogakaya (celestial form of a Buddha), and dharmakaya (truth body of a Buddha). Statues and thangkas (cloth and silk tapestries with rich colorful designs of yidams or meditational deities) are believed to be the depicted enlightened being themselves as they serve as the nirmanakaya, which is a huge source of faith for the devout and the religious. So again, thank you Steve Chao and your team, and the Buddhists taking steps to preserve their culture.
I doubt it's only because of that. How did the arts of Kathmandu Valley get stolen then? There must be some internal network.
Do you know if there is a Tibetan Heritage recovery organization? If so, I'd love a contact.
I hope and pray that these ancient artifacts are returned to their rightful places🙏. Love and Respect to the people of Nepal from India, নমস্কার ।😄🇮🇳🇳🇵✌
❤️❤️❤️
❤❤ thank you
Being myself from Mustang, Nepal, It’s sad to see our ancient monuments and religious artifacts are being smuggled all around the world , I feel ashamed ,guilty, and helpless too for not able to do anything to protect these religious artifacts from being stolen. But kudos to people like Tashi Bista from Mustang and Steve chau from Al Jazeera for showing us and putting the efforts for the safeguard of these historical and religious things.
You mean like Ford Mustang? Feel sorry for you because Ford isn't widely used everywhere.
I have a question to ask since you are from there. How are things stolen from there without local help? People can easily spot an outsider because there are very few people in those areas.
Nep Nep wtf is wrong with u bhutani.......??? Bhutan is like colony of india where Indian Embassy run ur tiny filthy country
Muji Nepali haru aafai ma jhagda garna besta xan dimag nabha gadha haru
@Bahun-Chhetri Dhoti Hindu Caste System ta muji lai bahun chhetri bhanera kina jhagda garnu paryo sala racist
Al Jazeera needs to know that Mr. Chow is one of their finest reporters on the ground..
Deepak Shakya is one of the artifact traders. He should be be in jail long time before, but irony of our country is that it's own bureaucrats are corrupt at infinity level. How easily he confessing that paying under the table. Charles Shobraj has already said, he has dareness to pass even an elephant through Nepal's customs.
hhahahha.... well said and respect to your honesty. You have the guts to accept the truth.
Probably and I’m pretty sure he didn’t even spend a night at jail. Now back to business and enjoying his privilege life selling the ancient artifacts.
Poverty do create corruption....
Its so sad that it took an international channel and international journalist to show our officials what should be done ! thank you so much steve chao sir and thank you so much al jazeera for doing this ! massive massive respect
First of all as a follower of Vajrayana tradition and Buddha dharma,my sincere thanks and big applaud to you sir.What a job you have done to catch these smugglers.Yes Nepali monasteries are in vulnerable condition and unsecured because they are ancient.I feel very sad for the people of Himalayan region in Nepal for their belongings and identity been stolen by cheap humans from Mustang to all the way to the higher society and big cities of the first world like NY. I hope someday all these items will be replaced to the monasteries where they belong.These items are many artists hard work and dedication of their lifetime.Three things won't be hidden for long, THE SUN,THE MOON,THE TRUTH - BUDDHA.
Foreigner who possess stolen treasures of others should gracefully return them to their rightful owners.
Doublescoop BS haha my friend they pay millions of dollars for this do you think they will return
All the museums will be empty in that case
@@davidddavoudd9628 No only whites mesuem
See, I have been thinking about what would happen if stolen artifacts were returned once again, take an example of Chaturmukha Shiva-linga, which was stolen from Pashupati in 1984, but when a replica of the shiva linga was made and mounted once again in Pashupati in 1987, it was stolen again since then there is only a blob of rock there. so the question is CAN NEPAL REALLY TAKE CARE OF ITS ARTIFACTS?- can you say that confidently when this video itself exposes the corruption inside the department of archeology? so as of now the best thing would be for private collectors or museums to provide detailed data of artifacts they collect, so someday when our country is 'HOPEFULLY' stable we can bring them home- if possible.
Doublescoop BS Say that to british museum or government lmao
I am in the deepest sadness after watching this. Millions and Millions thanks to Mr Chao for his tremendous effort.
Chao deserve appreciation.. That’s journalism. Thanks from Himalayan
Thank you Steve and all of the aljazeera crews. You saved Nepal, their history and people's beliefs. You guys are indeed a superhero!
The shakyas are the true villains in this story, they all need longer sentences!!!
it just took one sting operation from a foreign reporter to catch the smugglers. What have CIB of Nepal been doing all this time?
It is sad that Nepalese journalist are least bothered about such things happening in Nepal.
Peta Gonkyi that is very true. Artifacts smuggling has got very little attention from nepalese journalist amidst many other smuggling like gold and drugs. Nepal has become a hub for smugglers.
i am guessing the CIB might be involve and had to put up a front when foreign journalist have them on video. Who knows what happen after they leave? The seller gets release? The stolen artifacts get sold by the CIB to other sellers?
fokers are getting money......nobody wud speak up who are in power...rest will die mad if they oppose those fokers
we need to do something collectively to make people aware of such practices. as you know Nepalese are known for being too resilient, they just ignore the issue.
More than 80 percent of art collections have been stolen and sold abroad, which is an estimation but reality could be jaw-dropping. Nepal was one of the richest countries of gold, copper and many precious metal collections in the world. Now west is enjoying as if they own everything from Nepal's ancient properties. Lord Buddha will mercy them for their sins and pathetic situation.
Nepal means : peace,beautiful, and heaven
I know tashi from ladakh.. he and his wife are working hard to restore old artifacts from matho monastery.. head off you two and thanks you very much...
ommmg i can't believe my most fav tibetan art Rubin musuem would do such things as illegal trading or stealing as it has been accused....:( + not a believer of Buddhism but appreciate the work of steve and police here & strongly believe ancient sculptures should always be preserved for their religious significance
Make a documentary about how so called Christian Missionaries come to the rural Nepal and give money in-exchange to change their religion into Christianity.....
Well said brother..
Yeah we need such videos
they do same here in India too
It is not Christian to pay people to convert. Our way is love and peace.
Yes absolutely.
I don't know why they being ignorant that faiths can't be concerted??
No hard feelings to Christianity but most conversion is taking place from Hinduism or buddhism into Christianity.
What an absolutely stunning country. It would be tragic if they lose a lot of their heritage. I hope these thefts can be stopped.
Wow, good job Al Jazeera! Fantastic activist journalism!
Sushma Joshi You meant * investigative, I believe.
I'm Nepalese..it's so ashamed ....I got a knowledge how it is passed ancients idols and its related things from Nepal to all over the world by smugglers...thx for Al Jazeera team to undercover over the traitors...
yes I see no monetary value for that kind of objects,symbols, no other culture can value them. same is true of art objects of any country, only that origin country can appreciate it with best value.
super impressive. Through this documentary and several others it is evident how a lack of documentation culture is costing treasures for Nepal and Nepalese. Great to learn Tashi's initiative to start documenting. We really need more of it and more people involved in it! Its a reminder to myself as well. Again, good job!
Being as a Nepalese citizen I would like to thank Al Jazeera 101 east for this documentary as well playing part for raid operation. It's really sad how our country is corrupted in day light.
I proud of them that they are keeping those treasure safely in their own place.. iam nepali Buddhist and I am proud of who iam ...
I thank you Alzazeera Chanel for showing our country Nepal to the world. Am proud to born in Nepal while having such a wonderful religious, cultural heritage and natural beauties.. but sad while our leaders are being corrupted and not developing our country. In such heaven country, leaders are being demons.
What a good piece here. Well done aj 101 east team!
I didn’t know my Nepal is such a beautiful ....thanks Al Jazeera
xudhir magar yes I am ....only I grow up till my primary school
This is by far the best episode on 101 East. Job well done Steve!
It’s heartbreaking. Thank you so much Steve.
thanks for report, Steve Chao!
Precious nepal 😍
sanjay koirala Are you from Girija Prasad Koirala family
Nep Nep thik vannu vo dai. Tara sabai Jana ta hoina hola.
It is absolutely tragic that our own people sell our heritage like this. 5 years is too little for people like Deepak Shakya
It saddens me how our own kin are selling our god and in other hand it gave me goosebumps from the work of chao... Appreciation and love from heart
Interesting well done
Appreciate the excellent journalism here people!
In Nepal, we have a saying" Sin does not shout but when it does, it shouts from the roof of the house." After generations of shady dealings, the Shakya family had to deal with this karma due to God's compassion for His devotees. Great job Steve, his team, and, Tashi. Keep it up!
Thank you Mr. Steve Chao and Al Jazeera for covering on this issue.
Thank you sir Mr Chao
Helping us (Nepalese)
To open our eyes
Money come....Nepalese alweys closed mouth and eyes..😂😂😂
Thank you steve chao 🙏🏼
Hats off to people like Tashi who are trying to protect what is left with us!!
Thank you so much Aljeezera for covering it and helping the people
The Chao strikes the smugglers Well Done Sir
I know ... ... i dont know when this will end and we will have a pure country nepal free from all the illegal and bad things... especially corruption...
Very insightful documentary. Thanks to Al Jazeera and Steve Chao. This is the result of greed, corrupt bureaucracy and ineffective judicial system in Nepal. Sadly, there is no end to this in sight.
Wow, what an amazing job by Steve Chao. Kudos to you sir. AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!
6.10.2021.Very good documentary.Thank you.
Thank you al jazeera made video about nepal (:
it is sad to see that a shakya is selling buddha.....for money..
Dr vikas Chaudhary indeed ...we see that he sells his god for money ..we won’t be suprised if he sells his mother someday for money as well
Its the occupation of the shakyas to make the religious statues and trade. There's no wrong doing i guess. You will find hundred shops in Patan who are involved in this occupation
manish maharjan selling legit handicrafts is ok..
But Buddha was a Shakya and it really hurts when a Skakya sells old art illegally.
Not all but few people bring bad names.
what do you expect. Newari Businessmen have been selling BuddhaMahadev statue or long time now.
It's time we stop all this.
What's sad about something making a living? Try it, you might feel content
Great work Steve and Aljazeera. And beautiful landscape - Mustang and the ancient tradition and practices.
One of the best AJ documentaries. This Steve Chao is the best
he Nepalese brothers ..we indians are still waiting for our same friendship as we have few decade ago...
you will be most welcomed again...!!!!!!
well done ALJAZEERA,MR CHOW AND THE WHOLE TEAM.
This is definitely an issue which can't be overlooked for long, and the more exposure it gets, the quicker it will be rectified. Well done, 101 East Team!
Great work Steve chao. Thanks for saving antiquities of Nepal !!!!!
Thank you sir🙏
Thank you Al Jazeera, we Nepalese owe you!
One of the best documentaries that I have ever watched.
Wow!!!sir Steve chao.lots of love and thank you from nepalease!!.
Kudos 101 east, really sad to see CIB active only after international journalist's sting operation. Had the same been done by local journalist the result would be opposite. Thank you Steve.
Great piece of investigative journalism. Although I have little hope that the stolen items will be returned as the West is self-absorbed and delusional. The so-called first World has put itself on a pedestal by looting and plundering, be it East India looting colonies or foreigners looting artefacts from Nepal like these. The Buddhist and Hindu concept of ' karma' is my only hope by way of Justice.
and 'karma' does not seem like happening any soon
Even some of our ppl involved.
We pray that all those culprits get punished in the court of God.
I congratulate AJ, this content I havent seen anywhere else. Valuable journalism.
I fookin' LOVE 101 East!! Thanks for all the fantastic episodes Al Jazeera!!
Never leave a $65,000 artifact on top of a mountain in a mud hut lesson number one
Its been there safe since 14th century
First and foremost as a Nepali I want to thank the reporter for being able to save these artifacts from being sent away from Nepal ..although a lil I beleive it does help ...and although only artifacts from the remote Himalayas of Nepal were shown here we Nepalese know many more ancent artifacts from Kathmandu valley itself dating back centuries and many from all around Nepal have been sold ,by our own fellow countrymen which is a shame ,selling their gods for money ,that’s like selling ur soul .there have always been stories about theft of many Nepalese artifacts .,a major one being the BHOTO (a blouse ) adorned with jewels that is supposed to be shown to public ,as is the tradition ,during the bhoto jatra in Kathmandu ,but they are only making a do with a fake bhoto for years and news has it that that bhoto is somewhere in some museums in some western land and the news were rife about some members of Nepalese royal families also being involved in it ,but problem in Nepal is Nepalese are too laid back and relaxed ,where is that urge in us to save what is ours ? That urge to make Nepal better ? we watch news about the theft and sit back and do nothing ....the government is not proactive about it at all and the authorities as well ...and with that we can only conclude that they are all involved in this together ...and one of the comments below by a foreigner said that they (westerners ) need to avoid going to these museums that display these artifacts so that the will eventually close down ..that cud be a good idea ...i do appreciate the enthusiam in people who go to these museums to learn about different cultures but do they ever even think how those artifacts might have landed in those shelves miles away from their homeland ? If they have ever wondered if they were acquired properly or were just stolen or looted? If it ever crosses their mind that these artifacts are not that beautiful when they are not in the temples and the monasteries that they belong to ..
I am so glad they are taking steps to protect the ancient artefacts. I love Nepal. Hope they will will respect their own culture and protect them.
Thanks for revealing...
Its very sad to hear such stories... Govt. and Museum owners must be very vigilant about such incidents...
incident? That's pure robbery from foreign countries. Because I don't think Both Himalayan government and foreign government are ignorant about this situation, it's always the same story as long as it serves western countries everything is fine....
You really have a problem Oriane, did it cross your mind that it might be rich individuals from all over the world, particularly people who are of Buddhist belief, that buy these statues? Yes, Western powers in the past looted artefacts from their colonies, but these practices have been stopped long ago, and these stolen artefacts should indeed be repatriated. But don't blame these recent robberies on the west.
who says that it has been stopped? you kidding me? just look for the situation in DRCongo and the real reason of the conflict? you serious dude?!
I have no idea why conflict in Congo flared up again, but i hardly think it has anything to do with ancient artefacts.
Jacob as a Nepali and a Buddhist I don’t think the westerners who bought these artifacts have any beliefs in Buddhism or any religion at all ..had they had respect for the faith they wud never buy or sell these ancient religious artifacts ..these individuals I think are only motivated by the monetary benefit it brings along ..I don’t think the Rubin museum collected all those artifacts out of respect for Buddhism or our culture ..they only want to add to their collection so that it will bring a good return ..and sorry to say ,even if u may disagree the West is responsible for the loss of many of these artifacts from the east ,not for these recents one but no one can deny that in the past the British and all the countries who had set up colonies In the east did take away a lot of artifacts from the east like in case of India .i can’t say the same for Nepal for we were never ruled by any foreign power ,but def a lot of greed on part on some Nepalese and some foreigners is to blame
poor nepal government ..thanks aljazeera..and hats off for steve chou..for giving one of the
true definition of journalism
Excellent piece of journalism and the necessary action to protect Nepal's heritage. Well done!
Kudos to Stephen and Al-Jazeera for helping out, as Buddhist, I thank you!
GREAT LOVED IT NEED MORE LIKE THIS
It really hurt, they are selling such a valuable things that shouldn't measures with money, as a Buddhist I'm very disappointed on Nepal
Very very thanks to Al jazeera for this wonderful documentry .Great Respect
Thanks to Steve Chao for doing this.
The director of CIB gets a cut in all the smuggling. You took the criminals to their big bosses who have no plans to punish them.
This is sad but don't blame each other. It does not have to do anything with nationality but evil people who are everywhere.
yes, european history is full of looting valuable art pieces during wars and just plain theft from museums etc... it is so common i find difficult to value art objects with money since only culture and people can give that value, not money.
Respect and love 😍 for 'ALJAZEERA' for this beautiful and precious documentary. Nepal 🙏
I would like to thank the channel. Please carry on with these sorts of missions. We appriciate it!
I am Proud Nepalese thanks for good work Al Jazeera. However, sooner than later time has come that other similar kinds of smugglers are apprehended by the Government of Nepal before these people thrive globally selling ancient Nepalese artifacts. Thanks again!!!
stfu!! its non of your concern
This place must be on UNESCO HERITAGE SITE..
Love from Nepal 🇳🇵❤ 🇳🇵 ❤ 💕 💖 💗
Thanks to steve chao and team
It is sad that whiles Tibetan have risked their lives trying to save the statues during the Chinese cultural revolution and Maoism 1950-1976. Dealing in old statues is a taboo among Tibetans. During 1960s Tibetan safely retrieved hundreds of statue from Tibet including the iconic Buddha statue (Kyirong Jowo) from Tibet was moved to a safe custody in Tibetan monasteries in India and Nepal.
You know the seller who is a sakya is himself a buddhist and doing such a thing. I feel so embarrassed after I see some Nepalese doing these,
We're sorry for tibet. Tibet was our close friend for thousands of years, my grandparents used to go tibet for salt etc. but those statues are literally shown in mustang, nepal and it been there for hundreds and hundreds of years. Im assuming you didn't say those belongs to tibet. Im just tired cos yknow everyone tryna steal our identify. Phucking india
@Myth Fury most of the shakyas are Buddhist but in nepal We worship and celebrate both religion. There's really not much difference
when the government is corrupted and always looking to fill their own pocket with this kind of dirty money these kind of things are expected ...however huge thanks to Al Jazeera 101 East and Mr Steve Chow for this kind of job which Nepalese Government should have done...
Simply Awesome documentary by Al Jazeera and presenter Mr. Steve Chou.
Great work of Steve Chao and his Al Jazeera team.
I can imagine, this guy sells statue for 50,000$, then it goes to auction house in London or NYC and some pop star, Kardashian or second generation rich person just buys it for 1million to decorate new house.
Yeah , it's called grave robbing, the worst kind of thief ! 'Cept for the taking of newly dead, the curses remain the same, may the souls of our lost remains undo their evil works
Thank you very much for doing this!
Absolutely amazing video.
And very Sad to see that these Ancient religious treasure are being smuggled for money.
Steve Chao love from Kashmir
Aamir khan you’re the one who plundered Kashmir. Buddhists lived in Kashmir for thousands of years. You people killed them, destroyed their culture, plundered their religious icons. Started terrorism for your own benefits. Check the facts before you talk about others.
Its very sad that even with such evidence such little effort has been taken to stop the crime and whats even more heartbreaking is that we need foreign journalists not even police to find about these traders who are selling, trading in broad day light.
Thank you Steve Chao @Al Jazeera, You have set the example of Ideal Journalism.Thanks again from Nepal
Thank you Cho, really appreciate ur work. Not only people from Mustang but all Nepali peoples are very happy with ur work but the sad reality is that the authorities took the action quickly in front of international media otherwise it would be different situation.
Al Jazeera should do a piece on the items looted from former colonies .... many of the items still adorn muzeums in the west.
Al Jazeera should also do a piece on China about the status of the uncountable Tibetan antiques/relics plundered during cultural revolution in the name of liberation. If China had not invaded Tibet these statues would not have met such fate.
Indian news channel should learn something from Al Jazeera. No "SOOR" at all, Just to the point.
Same condition is of nepali journalism
great job steve thank you so much
Steve I am stunned with your initiative. Hatsoff of to you and Tashi . Keep it up.