Brokpa Tribe, Leh Ladakh

The breathtaking mountains of Dah-Hanu, Balatik, Baima and Garkone of Leh and Ladakh are home to the heavenly Brokpas who pride themselves as the original Aryans; also known as Drogpas or Dards. ‘Brog’ means hills and ‘pa’ means ‘inhabitants’. These mountain-children vigorously believe themselves to be the pure bloodline of the Aryans and often call themselves Minaro (meaning Aryan). Brokpas’s purity of race and culture has been maintained without being hostile to the influence from the outside world. Their way of life and genetic uniqueness has been preserved because of their strong social rules and pride in their ancestory.

Each object of adornment in the Brokpa community is believed to have a special healing purpose. Each prop on the head gear has some medicinal purpose. The seven colored ribbon wards any ailment caused by the Sun or eclipse. The silver brooches ward off planetary influences, the peacock feather wards off paralysis”. Healing of all illnesses rests on religious beliefs. Juniper (chillgi) plant holds a significant place for Brokpas and is used for spiritual healing as well as, as an anti-pollutant in their religious ceremonies.

Mountains, trees, water and flowers are considered very pure and thus every Brokpa household grows flowers. Singing and dancing are also an essential part of the culture and various beautiful adornments on people can be noticed during festivals. Brokpas are pure vegans, but goat meat is consumed during festivals. Products of cow like milk, meat or even cow dung even though it is essential considering the scarcity of fuel, is still strictly avoided. Their other major characteristic is that they are a high altitude pastoral tribe, who graze land at 3000m to 4500m altitude with yak, cow and sometimes sheep.