Understanding Intangible Cultural Heritage of Ladakh

In 2003 UNESCO defined Intangible Cultural Heritage as “the practices,

representations, expressions, knowledge, skills – as well as the instruments, objects, artefacts and cultural spaces associated therewith – that communities, groups and in some cases, individuals recognize as part of their cultural heritage.”

Working in region of Ladakh, the idea was to explore the range and nature of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Indian context, analyze the forms and formats, listing the domains in Indian cultural context and collection of information and available resources. National Museum was kind enough to associate me in their cultural heritage project on Ladakh.

The first stop of the journey was the Changthang area in Eastern Ladakh, bordering Tibet. The spectacular highlands with altitudes averaging well above 14,500 ft. above sea level are a sight to behold filled with bright azure lakes and green grasslands, supporting a wide variety of bird species (google gave me perspective that a normal commercial airliner maintains an altitude of about 6400 ft. above sea level. Well, how about that!!).

Head to the following link for a complete picture story.

http://ladakh.manolyaslens.com/

Found in the same area are the fascinating 'Changpas of Changthang’. Changpas are a nomadic-pastoral community that raise yak, sheep and goats, following a seasonal migrational lifestyle for their livestock. They rely completely upon their animals for their survival. The ‘Changthangi’ or pashmina goat provides premium wool for producing famous Cashmere. The yaks provide milk and milk products. Wool and skin provide essential insulation and protection against extreme harsh winters, including ‘rebo’ or yak-wool tent.

With their migratory lifestyle, Changpas stay in temporary dwellings and stay at one place until the season’s supply of grass is available, then move to another grassland usually a few days walk away.

The herders spend their entire day with the animals grazing in the mountains, guiding them to better feed. While the women spend their days completing household chores, cleaning animal pens and weaving. This particular community of people have long survived in this harsh environment due to their very little dependence upon the outside world, maintaining a balanced self-sustainable lifestyle, with resources available locally.

Further, we interacted with and photographed local farmers, artisans, pottery-makers and craftsmen, to document their traditions, methods, skills and knowledge.