India is undoubtedly the tourist favourite and there are several good places to explore in the country. With scenic landscapes and breathtaking viewpoints, travellers have the time of their lives exploring the natural terrains of each state. Himalayas have always been majestic and magical. They also house cultures that are believed to be lost during the test of time. The Brokpa community resides in the Ladakh region of India and are considered to be the descendants of Alexander The Great!
Here’s everything you need to know about the Brokpa, their legacy and how they live in the peace of the mountains.
The Brokpa tribe and their life
The Brokpa tribe lives in the Aryan valley of the Ladakh region in the Himalayas. The Aryan valley includes the villages of Dah, Hano, Darchik and Garkon. The people in the valley follow Buddhism, some of them are believers of Islam and the Indigenous Bon people also co-live with the Brokpas. This diverse cultural scenario attracts a lot of tourists to the area. They want to explore the region and see for themselves how the true Aryan descendants live and go about their lives. The Brokpa tribe currently consists of 1800 people.
The tribe mostly indulges in agriculture to make a living. They grow crops like barley, wheat, millet and a variety of vegetables that they sell and use for their own consumption. A fraction of them also indulge in horticulture, producing the highest quality apples and apricots that they sell for income and also export to other places in and outside India. The walnuts from the valley are of the finest quality.
The women of the households also take up animal husbandry, rearing sheep, goats and yaks that produce milk, wool, meat and dairy products. The wool that comes from these sheep is used to make handicrafts that are further sold to tourists.
Tourism in the Aryan valley is a rather new addition. People of the Brokpa tribe are taking up jobs in the tourism sector, seeing how visitors are keen on exploring their land and culture. Brokpa are mostly performers who have an immense love for cultural arts. They dance, sing and celebrate unique festivals that pique the interest of travellers across the globe. The artists perform at venues for tourists, further earning the region some good income.
Migratory activities of the Brokpa tribe
The Brokpa tribe often migrate seasonally within the valley. During the summer months, they move to higher altitudes so that their livestock can graze and fill their stomachs. In the harsh winters, they keep food stored for their animals and move to the lower altitudes to stay warm and keep their livestock safe.
The lineage of the Brokpa tribe
The Brokpa tribe, which is also sometimes referred to as the Drokpa tribe, say that they are the true descendants of the Aryans. There is no solid genetic proof to their claims. However, their migratory habits and physical features set them apart from other Ladakh residents. They look very similar to what historical records say about the appearance of Alexander The Great’s army.
The Brokpa people have sharp features, high cheekbones, green or blue eyes and occasional blonde hair, which is unlike the Anglo-Mongolio features of the other people in the Ladakh region. Also, their origin has been traced back to Central Asia, South Asia and Europe where Alexander’s army dwelled. So, their claims ‘may’ be true.
While you are in the Himalayan region, consider exploring Tosh Village, a place that is famous for its breathtaking landscapes and cafes.
Bono na Festival
Bono na is the harvest festival that is celebrated with great enthusiasm in the Aryan valley. The Brokpa tribe gathers to mark the end of the harvest season and enters a period of relaxation. It won’t be wrong to say that the festival signifies the time when the Bropka finally reap what they had sown.
The tribe dresses up in traditional clothing and women wear distinct headgears made of flowers. They throw a feast and cook all the native dishes. It is a vibrant celebration with a lot of dance and music. Bono na lasts for a total of five days and tourists are welcome to join the joy and learn more about the rituals. The community elders and leaders are the ones who make the offerings to nature and thank Mother Earth for being kind to them. Then, the rest of the tribe joins to offer their prayer. The festival is celebrated in Dha for one year and the next consecutive year, it will be celebrated in Garkon village and so on it goes.
Try to coincide your trip to the Himalayan valley during the Bono na festival and you will not be disappointed!
Places to explore near the Aryan valley
Before you go around exploring the places around Aryan Valley, you must pay a visit to Dah, Hano, Darchik and Garkon – the four villages present within the valley. After you are done with that, these are a few other attractions that will impress you.
Indus River
You can take a stroll along the Indus River which flows freely along the Aryan Valley. The earliest civilisation, the Indus Valley civilisation, was established at the banks of this river. Today, it stands as the main source of water for the Brokpa tribe to indulge in agricultural practices in the high-altitude landscape. The Indus River also happens to be one of the longest rivers in Asia extending over 1,165,000 kilometres. It originates from a mountain spring and flows freely through different terrains.
Monasteries
The Leh-Kargil-Ladakh region has people who follow Tibetan Buddhism. A portion of the Brokpa tribe follows Buddhism and often visits the monasteries or gompas in the Ladakh region. After you are done exploring the Aryan Valley villages, you can take a journey of a few hours to visit monasteries like Mulbekh, Lamayuru, Alchi and Likir Gompas. Major religious festivals and special ceremonies are celebrated in these monasteries. These places also serve as centres where communal gatherings happen and people share their thoughts about religion and culture.
There are so many monasteries in Ladakh that are known for their peaceful environment and eye-catching architecture.
Dras War Memorial
Dras War Memorial or the Kargil War Memorial commemorates all those brave soldiers who fought for the safety of the country during the Kargil War. In 1999, Pakistan army forces crossed the LOC (Line of Control) to occupy a portion of Jammu and Kashmir. This war lasted for about two months before the Pakistani troops eventually retreated. Kargil War Memorial has the names of all the heroes who fought for the country during those tough times. Also, you can see the artillery which was used in the war.
Batalik
Batalik is a beautiful village adjacent to the Aryan Valley. You will find the Brokpa tribe living here as well. The hamlet is a military base and is very close to the Line of Control between India and Pakistan-controlled Baltistan. Batalik also served as the main battleground during the Kargil War in 1999. The apricot orchids here are gorgeous and you can explore the terraced fields that overlook the stunning mountains and the Indus River.
Camping enthusiasts should definitely explore the best camping sites around Leh-Ladakh that will give you a taste of mountain life.
Permits to visit the Brokpa tribe
Tourists need an Inner Line Permit (ILP) to visit the Aryan Valley. You can secure the permit from the District Commissioner’s Office in Leh. It takes about one day for them to verify your documents and give you the license. So, you must plan a day in Leh before you can head to any village in the Aryan Valley.
Also, if you are given an ILP for visiting Aryan Valley, you won’t be permitted to visit villages of other districts unless you have an ILP to visit them too. So, make your itinerary and accordingly request your permits. For foreign tourists, along with the Inner Line Permit, they may also have to take the restricted region permits. You can enquire about the same at the District Commissioner’s office.
Best time to visit Aryan Valley
You are welcome to visit Aryan Valley anytime in the year but there are certain things to remember. Leh-Ladakh region has harsh climatic conditions and you must be ready to face nature head-on.
The summers are warm with temperatures from 5 to 15 degrees Celsius. The fields are green and vibrant, the fruit orchards are in their full bloom and the skies are clear and majestic. It is the best time to go sightseeing and explore the Aryan Valley while interacting with the locals. You can see the Brokpa tribe go about their daily activities and have healthy conversations with them.
Monsoons are more or less absent in the region. Because of the height of the magical Himalayas, they obstruct the monsoon clouds and the region gets very little rain. However, the temperature is cold and you will need warm clothing.
The winters are very harsh and the snowfall can be significantly more. The temperature dips below zero degrees and you will be restricted from visiting certain regions near LOC and the snow makes it difficult to go sightseeing. But, this is the perfect season to see the snow-laden mountains, stay indoors and enjoy the cosy life.
As winter ends and spring begins, the warmth slowly starts to seep in. But the road and regional restrictions imposed during winter will remain the same until the late spring season. You will have to find out the state of things before booking your tickets.
How to reach Aryan Valley?
By Air
The nearest airport is the Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport (IXL) in Leh, Ladakh. You will find flights to this destination from major Indian cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and Hyderabad. You also have direct flights from Srinagar. After reaching Leh, you can hire a taxi or use the bus services to reach Aryan Valley.
By Rail
There is no direct rail route to Aryan Valley. Also, it is kind of challenging to reach the place through the railways. You will have to find a train to either Jammu or Srinagar. Then, you can take a bus or drive a rented vehicle to Leh. From here, you have to set out to reach one of the villages of the Aryan Valley. Well, if you are up for multi-stop travel, surely go for it!
By Road
The primary route to Aryan Valley is the Leh-Kargil Road which is also NH1. People set out on Leh-Ladakh bike trips and often take this scenic road lined by mountains. You can find taxis and shared cabs that can take you from Leh to Aryan Valley.
So, what do you think about the Brokpa tribe and their apparent lineage? Let us know all about it in the comments section.
