Cultural Overview Of Ladakh

Ladakhis celebrate their marriages with a lot of singing and dancing. There are lengthy sessions of narrative interspersed with group singing and dancing. The nomadic herdsmen of Zanskar perform the Alley Yate while roaming with their flocks, while the Jabro is performed in the regions of Chang-Thang and Rong. Festivals in the monasteries of Ladakh are an important time for gatherings and celebrations. During these special occasions, musical instruments, weapons and religious artefacts are brought out of the monasteries for public display.

The famous mask dances of chaams performed by lamas follow a central theme symbolising the victory of good over evil. Most of the festivals take place in the winter months of January and February. Some, like the Hemis, Lamayuru and Phyang gompas have shifted their celebrations to summer. In addition to the traditional festivals, the tourism department organises various tourist festivals in different parts of the region. The most prominent one held in Leh around late August - early September has archery contests, polo matches and traditional dance and music.

The craft tradition of Ladakh is very closely linked with Tibet. Musical instruments such as the Tibetan trumpets or thumpchen and cymbals, chhang (local drink) kettles, prayer wheel, tea churners, monastic dance masks, thangkas and jewellery with precious and semi-precious stones are some of the articles produced locally. The perak, traditional headdress of women is masterpieces passed down from mother to daughters as heirlooms. Embedded with turquoise and lapis lazuli, these elaborate long-tailed coverings can cost Rs. 4000 or more.