LADAKH means 'Land Of High Passes '. however it’s a metaphor for much more.
It's an innocent world, where a four-year-old trusts a stranger enough to hitch a ride.
Unlike denizens of other impoverished regions, Ladakhis reverse migrate to their land after having gained better education. One such fine example is Dorjee, a graphic designer from NID , who after having been out of Ladakh for 20 yrs studying and working, is back . Doing what he does best ..designing ‘elemental’ spaces.
They value their cow and goat more than a regular job, and thus live on in remote villages. Before starting to plough the land..the entire family sits around the field and praysfor 3 days for the inhabitants of the soil that they are about to disturb and make provisions for their food.
Ladakh being a land of such scarce resource ..has learnt to optimize their meager resources to the fullest.. They had (untill very recently ..zero wastage..everything was recycled including human waste). Even now Leh, one of the more populated places in Ladakh , what with one tourist for every 1.5 ladaki, it is one place where you don't see plastic.. You see instead good old brown paper bags ..and some other semi cloth bags.
Water, a very scare commodity, (since it doesn't rain at all) is very efficiently used..Water channels are created and water is ‘directed’ to a patch of vegetable till required..and then the channel is closed with mud and rags. Water used for cleaning dishes is fed to the animals. Everyone in the family knows how to do this.
Families are close knit, (what with having to spend 8 months of winter together) and there is a lot of “Touch” and everyone is very comfortable displaying it.Stories play a very important role in their lives..that is what they do most of the winter...
Display of Anger, temper or ‘pride’ is a vice and is looked down upon with the greatest contempt.
“Chi Choen” - means “What’s the Point” - is a favorite phrase of Ladakis.. when practiced it is a great way to maintain internal equilibrium..and laugh at things which may otherwise trigger you.
You see people waking about doing their chores with the prayer wheel silently turing in their hands... Peace and Prayer is a way of life...and not something which is ‘scheduled’.
Ladakhis greet strangers and friends alike with a cheerful Julley and A hot cup of tea or teas
No Ladakhi is a stranger. We just haven't had the time to meet them all.
Living with Peaceful Compassion and a connectedness with Nature, and respect for environment and all beings is what Ladakh and Ladhki have to teach and offer the world.
It's what we need the most
..otherwise.....Chi Choen?
