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Predominantly Buddhists, the Changpas also have shreds of animism in their religious beliefs, which can be traced back to their herding tradition : for a Changpa nomad, his sheep are intrinsically sacred creatures bestowed upon him by the gods of the valley.

Changthang is home to a few brackish lakes and the most important of them are Tso Moriri and Pangong Tso. It was on the banks of Pangong Tso that the Sino Indian war of 1962 reached a fierce climax and since remained a bone of contention between India and China. The ongoing dispute has posed a considerable threat to the fragile ecology of the area and consequently on the lives of the nomadic tribe. The increasing attractions of alternative livelihood, an influx of tourism in the area and some significant climate changes like unnaturally heavy snowfall resulting in deaths of livestock in recent years have further added to the threat for the sustainable future of the socio-economic and environmental life of the Changpas.


Photo documentary by Sugato Mukherjee]]> Wed, 22 Jul 2026 15:57:50 GMT Three Changpa horsemen http://www.photojournale.com/details.php?image_id=7003 Wed, 19 Nov 2014 17:18:39 GMT The Nomads of Changthang : Ladakh http://www.photojournale.com/details.php?image_id=7003 A high monk drapes a kaata, the ceremonial silk scarf,on a Changpa horseman. http://www.photojournale.com/details.php?image_id=7002 Wed, 19 Nov 2014 17:14:28 GMT The Nomads of Changthang : Ladakh http://www.photojournale.com/details.php?image_id=7002 A monk and a Tibetan witchdoctor praying together in Changthang plateau. http://www.photojournale.com/details.php?image_id=7001 Wed, 19 Nov 2014 17:08:50 GMT The Nomads of Changthang : Ladakh http://www.photojournale.com/details.php?image_id=7001 Chaam dance http://www.photojournale.com/details.php?image_id=7000 Wed, 19 Nov 2014 17:05:33 GMT The Nomads of Changthang : Ladakh http://www.photojournale.com/details.php?image_id=7000 Predominantly Buddhists, the bead of prayers is a constant companion for most of the members of the tribe. http://www.photojournale.com/details.php?image_id=6999 Wed, 19 Nov 2014 16:50:09 GMT The Nomads of Changthang : Ladakh http://www.photojournale.com/details.php?image_id=6999 The Changpas, like most ancient tribes, are a close knit clan. http://www.photojournale.com/details.php?image_id=6998 Wed, 19 Nov 2014 16:48:22 GMT The Nomads of Changthang : Ladakh http://www.photojournale.com/details.php?image_id=6998 A Changpa woman in front of her ancestral home in Korzok http://www.photojournale.com/details.php?image_id=6997 Wed, 19 Nov 2014 16:43:28 GMT The Nomads of Changthang : Ladakh http://www.photojournale.com/details.php?image_id=6997 Changpa women in their traditional dress http://www.photojournale.com/details.php?image_id=6996 Wed, 19 Nov 2014 16:33:03 GMT The Nomads of Changthang : Ladakh http://www.photojournale.com/details.php?image_id=6996 At a Changpa gathering http://www.photojournale.com/details.php?image_id=6995 Wed, 19 Nov 2014 16:29:57 GMT The Nomads of Changthang : Ladakh http://www.photojournale.com/details.php?image_id=6995 A Changpa woman knitting pashmina with her backstrap loom in her tent http://www.photojournale.com/details.php?image_id=6994 Wed, 19 Nov 2014 15:50:22 GMT The Nomads of Changthang : Ladakh http://www.photojournale.com/details.php?image_id=6994