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Ladakh Culture
Peoples of Ladakh
The 200,000 strong population of Ladakh is a result of the blending of many different
races, in particular the Tibetans and the Dards.
Tibetans
The nomadic and semi-nomadic Changpa people of the Rupshu plateau are pure Tibetans
and it is probably herders like them who first populated Ladakh. Through centuries
of experience they have mastered the art of not only living but thriving in one
of the most hostile environments on earth. Since the early 1960s their numbers
have increased as Chang Tang nomads from across the Tibetan border flee the occupation
of their homeland by the Chinese. Leh has also provided a home from home for about
3500 refugees who live in the various camps around the city.
The looks and the way of life of both the Ladakhis of central Ladakh and, perhaps
even more so, the Zanskaris, reflect a strong influence from central Tibet. Moving
west, this influence diminishes and is replaced by that of the Dards. The one
exception to this is the Baltis who live around Kargil and the Suru Valley. They
have Tibetan origins, speak a language that has Tibetan links and were once Buddhists,
though today they are devout Shiite Muslims.
Dards
These people originate from Gilgit in Pakistan. They now live in Drass and the
Dha-Hanu area. Although originally Buddhist, the Dards around Drass have embraced
Islam and have been strongly influenced by their Kashmiri neighbours. Those in
the Dha-Hanu area, known as Brokpa, have preserved their Buddhist faith and retain
many of their original customs and traditions. In most villages in Ladakh you'll
fmd another group of Dards, the Mons, descendants of Ladakh's early settlers.
Whilst these people represent Ladakh's lower class the segregation is nothing
like as severe as that found in the Indian caste system. Their traditional roles
as musicians, blacksmiths and carpenters are highly valued in the community.
Others
Some of the constant visitors to Ladakh over the centuries have inevitably settled
here. This is particularly true of Leh, where you can find small communities of
Kashmiris and central Asians whose forefathers came when it was an important city
on the great trade routes across Asia. Thousands of Indian military personnel
are the most recent incomers.
