About the village of Kargyak

...from Tops, our Tibetian teacher in Kargyak

Kargyak village which lies in the southern most part of the Zansker region is tucked away from the modern civilization in the most western part of the Himalaya region. It is surrounded by the Great Himalaya range in the south west and the Zansker range in the north east. The village is nested just a stone throw away from the kargyak chu which flows from the glacier build around the Shingola pass.

During summer it is adorned with wild flowers and herbs and snow caped mountain with wild animals roaming around. For every new eye the village is framed with green fields stretching up to the Kargyak chu enclosing it from every side. It is a small Village with 19 household and they are closely build creating a hump of whitish color on the lap of a rugged mountain. Every houses are partially mingled with each other that there are narrow allies leading to everywhere and the strong smell of dry and baked yak's dung lingering with it makes one minds to admire the simple life and the energy filled environment based in it.

Almost all of the villagers are involved in farm activities. In cultivation, they mostly grow crops like barely and pea and also grow vegetable but in small number. During farming season every cattle's from the village are nurtured in pastures high up in the mountain. And in those unending trails on mountains village girls live the nomadic life until the last summer leaf falls. It is in that wide open space where sometimes these girls can be seen dancing and singing, trying to emancipate themselves from the daily task which reminds us of those fauna blooming next to them.

During winter the landscape is covered with thick sheets of snow. Rivers are frozen in such extent that these rivers can Swallow the burdens of heavy loads from every village in the transportation. Though the thermometer falls steadily and the thick Wall of snow alienates every soul from the known world but still the charm of this place present itself in a different perspective. It is quit reasonable to say that this season is the season of joy as every family members will regroup under the same roof. After their summer occupation whether it is about trekking, farming or in other things, they will cherish what they have earned with their family in this season. The cold wind blowing from the north west makes every hearts long for their house.cattles will be brought back from the mountain and yaks and Zomos are placed in their sheds. Young children comfort themselves with Pithi [Party] and so does the elder ones but with a distinct character and manner. Chang and Arak,Sha and Tsampa is what they love the most.

Youthful girls will be found busy making their way for the stage for folk dances. It is in the first month of the Tibetan calendar when they all will absorb this whole month in religious purpose. Fresh coloured prayer flags will place on top of every houses and on mountains in hope that the wind horse will pacify every obstacles in the coming obstructive year and clouds from the smoldering juniper will fill the air to praise the deities and the protectors. Monks from the nearest Gompa will bless every village through religious rituals, within a period of around 15 days in each village. The whole valley will be enriched by the recitation of mantras from every ages of people. It is always a harmonious environment and especially in this month. They began their every new year with the philosophy of love, compassion and simplicity. With these they welcome the Spring, and so the story once again rolls on like ever before.

Tops

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