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Changpa Community in Ladakh
The Ladakh lieutenant governor makes decisions to improve the livelihoods of indigenous Changpa pastoral communities. The Changpa community is in news due to these livelihood-related decisions in Ladakh.
Changpa Community (Ladakh):
| Dimension | Key Details |
|---|---|
| Region | The Changpas are found mainly in the Changthang region of the Trans-Himalayas of the Indian subcontinent. |
| Community type | The Changpas comprise a semi-nomadic people. |
| Pastoral livelihood | The Changpas comprise nomads who shepherd pashmina goats, also called cashmere goats. |
| Religion | The Changpa nomads comprise Buddhists. |
| Official status in India | In India, the Changpas comprise a scheduled tribe. |
| Traditional tent | The Changpas can be identified by conical yak-skin tents called reboo. |
| Contents of reboo | Each reboo comprises the family deity, and a picture of their spiritual head, in most cases, the Dalai Lama. |
| Internal groups | The Changpa community comprises Phalpa, and Fangpa. |
| Phalpa and Fangpa | Phalpa applies to Changpa who live nomadic lives, and Fangpa applies to those who settle in fixed locations. |
| Rituals and festivals | Changpa rituals and festivals comprise Jyabten, and Tangpe Chona. |
| Jyabten | Jyabten comprises a purifying ritual where different kinds of food are made as an offering to Lord Padmasambhav. |
| Tangpe Chona | Tangpe Chona applies to the 15th day of the first month of the lunar calendar. |