12/09/2025
Last May 2025, I traveled deep into Arya and Zanskar Valley, hundreds of kilometers from the main city of Kargil, India, near the India–Pakistan border, 5 hours driving from main city of Leh, Ladakh, to meet two extraordinary tribes: the Brokpa and the Zanskari.
The Brokpa people, both women and men, wear attire that feels like a celebration of the earth itself — adorned with flowers, silver, pearls, coral, turquoise, sea shells, goat leather, coins, seeds, and wool. Every detail reflects their deep connection with nature.
The Zanskari women, meanwhile, are known for their distinctive headdress called the perak — shaped like a king cobra. More than just an ornament, it holds spiritual meaning for the Ladakhi people, who follow Tibetan Buddhism.
Reaching them was a remarkable journey through long, winding, and often dangerous mountain roads — but the encounters were unforgettable.
