The Chojor Ancient Weapons Museum, the first private museum in Tibet Autonomous Region, opened on Jul. 3, 2015. [Photo/China Tibet Online]

"Relics are a silent type of history. My destiny is to protect them, and give them voices of their own," said Chojor, curator of the first private museum in Tibet Autonomous Region, who has spent thirty years of his life dedicated to the collection and protection of cultural relics.

Thirty years ago, the seventeen-year-old Chojor was living a life of poverty, and with only ten yuan (1.6 US dollars), he started off to Lhasa. While in Lhasa, he wrested a living by working in hotels and pulling handcarts. But after he had earned some money, he begun to collect old artifacts.

"At that time we had just gotten married, and he would frequently be out for a month or two at a time without coming home in order to find the artifacts he liked. Even today whenever he has free time, he makes his way over to antique markets in the Tromsigkang  and Barkor Street," said Chojor’s wife Phurbu Drolkar.

In the beginning, Phurbu Drolkar thought that her husband running around looking for artifacts was meaningless. However, she gradually came to understand the reasons behind her husband’s persistence, and now she, too, can distinguish some porcelain and chinaware, sometimes she even goes to the porcelain markets by herself.

Old furniture, ceramic pottery, and weaponry are all things that Chojor has been collecting more and more of, and he has spent a lot of time and effort seeking out each and every one of these collectibles. Some of his artifacts have even attract the interests of some foreign collectors.

Eighteen years ago, two American collectors made their way to Chojor’s home, and offered a high sum of money for one of his ancient Tibetan spears.

At the time, Chojor was unable to understand why these Americans had such profound interest in this spear; However, later on he became aware that Tibetan artifacts had become very popular in the museums of America.

"Why do my collectibles have to be placed in American exhibition halls? If they can build a museum, why can’t I?" Chojor said.

From 1997 to 2000, the two American collectors had visited Chojor’s house for three times, but each time Chojor politely refused their offers. His dream to construct his own museum was set in stone, "I have to leave our minority’s magnificent artifacts here, where they belong."

Tibet’s first private museum—the Chojor Ancient Weapons Museum has already opened to the public now. Located in Gyama Township , 70 kilometers from the regional capital, Lhasa, the Chojor Ancient Weapons Museum covers an area of 18 mu (12,000 square meters), with the main building occupying 1,500 square meters. A total of 1,613 items are put on display, which fall into seven categories - pottery, bronze ware, ethnic costumes, everyday items, religious culture, revolutionary relics, and ancient weapons.

Every item in the museum was collected by Chojor during thirty years of diligent "treasure hunt".

In the museum, Chojor pointed at one of his matchlock guns and said, "This is a historical testimony left behind from when the Qing dynasty’s army beat back the attacks of Gurkha who invaded Tibet."

There is an inscription of "Soldier of Tsang" on the matchlock gun, which he purchased in the Dingri county of Shigatse City from an owner who was unaware of the value it possessed. If it wasn’t for collectors like Chojor, these valuable artifacts might be lost forever in unknown locations.

Losang Tashi, head of the Appraisal Office in Tibet Cultural Relics Beaureu, stated that the artifacts found by Chojor are of high quality, wide variety, and they cover a large chronological timeline. Among them, there are some artifacts that need to continue being researched, as they possess immense historical, scientific, and artistic values.

A wine pot exhibited in the Chojor Ancient Weapons Museum. [Photo/China Tibet Online]

Ancient weapons exhibited in the Chojor Ancient Weapons Museum. [Photo/China Tibet Online]