The culture and heritage of the newly formed Union Territory of our country Ladakh is something that has got my interest for a while now. Flanking the snow-capped Himalayas, this high altitude desert is a favorite spot for the bikers. Famous for the exquisite scenery, but very little is known about the people living in this territory and their art and culture. So let’s explore Ladakh in a different way here!
People of Ladakh
It is said that the people originally belonging to this area may have been Dards which is known as an Indo Aryan race. Currently, the place is occupied by people of different cultures each occupying a district or sub-district of Ladakh. 90% of the population is tribal. Some of the old tribes living here are Purigpas, Gujjars, Bots, Bakarwals, Changpas, and Baltis. The region also comprises of people from different religious beliefs. Buddhism, Jainism, Hinduism, and Islam followers live together in harmony in this scenic land.
Languages in Ladakh
The people in Ladakh speak the Bhoti or Bodhi language which is originally a Tibetan language. Aryans in Ladakh are usually heard speaking their own language called Brokskat by the Ladakhis. Zanskar Skad is a language spoken by the people of the sub-district Zanskar. ChangSkat is another commonly heard language among the people belonging to the tribe Changpas. All people can also speak mixed Hindi and Urdu. English is also known among educated people.
Sports
Dah-fangs and Dar-tses is the term which the Ladakhis use for Archery. It is a popular game among the people of Ladakh and is usually played during the Spring season every year.
Polo is another game that the Ladakhis enjoy playing. The game is known to have been introduced as early as the 15th Century CE.
For the first time this year, a small Polo club of a village named Chushot is organizing a six days long Ladakh Polo Festival to promote to the tourists the game and the summer life of the people living in Ladakh.
Local Cuisine
Now let’s explore the most interesting part of this place, that is the food of the Ladakhis. These people have an elaborate cuisine of their own with interesting food items and equally attractive names. Pava, Sku, and Thukpa are the common food items of the locals. Pava and Tapu are made from barley and Sku and Thukpa are made of wheat flour. Gur gur cha or butter tea is one of the most famous drinks which is perfect for the cold climate. Khambir is the traditional bread used by the Ladakhis usually served with the butter tea. Some prefer having this bread with veggies and meat. People are also crazy about cheese made from Yak’s milk. They call it Chuppri.
Chang, a very spicy dish is also a must-try if one wants the authentic Ladakhi cuisine. Sea Buckthorn juice is the favorite drink of the Ladakhis in the summer months. If you are a food lover then this place has a lot to offer.
Festivals and Culture
Hemis Tse-Chu is the biggest festival celebrated by the Ladakhis. This festival is to commemorate the birth of Guru Padmasambhava.
Losar, the new year of the Ladakhis is their favorite festival. The main attraction of this festival is the extraordinary mask dance performed by the locals. The dance depicts a battle of good and evil, something worth watching. The Losar special dishes complete this festival.
Complete with its beautiful landscape, rich culture and exquisite cuisine, Ladakh is one of the best choices for a fun vacation in India.