1. Personal Background (Start gently)
- Can you tell us your name, family background, and where you grew up?
- What do you remember most about your childhood home in Kathmandu or your hometown?
- What kind of family did you grow up in (joint family, trading family, etc.)?
2. Connection to Lhasa Trade
- Did your husband or male family members travel to Lhasa for trade?
- How long would they usually stay away?
- What kind of work or trade were they involved in?
- How did their absence affect daily life at home?
3. Role of Women at Home
- What responsibilities did you take on while men were away?
- How did you manage the household and finances?
- Did you make important family decisions on your own?
- How did you raise children during long separations?
4. Emotional Experiences
- How did you feel when your husband/family members left for Lhasa?
- What were your biggest worries during that time?
- How did you cope with loneliness or uncertainty?
- Were there moments when you felt especially strong or proud?
5. Challenges and Hardships
- What were the most difficult challenges you faced?
- Did you experience financial difficulties or social pressure?
- How did society treat women whose husbands were away?
- Were there times when you lacked support from the community?
6. Community and Support Systems
- Did women support each other in the community? How?
- Were there groups, relatives, or neighbors who helped you?
- What role did festivals, temples, or traditions play in your life?
7. Culture and Traditions
- What traditions did you maintain at home while men were away?
- How did you pass culture, language, and values to your children?
- Were there any special rituals related to Lhasa trade families?
8. Strength and Resilience
- What gave you strength during difficult times?
- How did you overcome fear and uncertainty?
- What lessons did you learn from those experiences?
9. Education and Values
- What did you believe was most important for your children’s future?
- Did you encourage education? Why?
- What values did you try to teach your children?
10. Reflection and Legacy
- Looking back, what are you most proud of?
- What do you want younger generations to understand about your life?
- What message would you like to pass on to future generations?
11. Sensitive Historical Context (ask carefully)
- Were there political or social conditions that made life harder?
- Did fear or instability affect your daily life?
- How did those conditions shape your family’s experiences?
12. Closing Question (Very important)
- Is there a story or memory you feel should never be forgotten?