living in ladakh

LATEST POSTS

This year the Ladakhi New Year fell nine days before the solstice. Families all over Ladakh gathered back together in their villages, to celebrate and keep ceremony together. Last year,...

Meat from Pangong Tso

Meat from Pangong Lake This August, a friend of ours, Chamba Tsetan, organized a marathon and half marathon at Pangong Lake. He is from another part of Changtang, called Kargyam, where...

International Snow Leopard Day

Here is a video from Ka Sonam Wangchuk about a Snow Leopard Day celebration we held here in Tar in late October 2023. Click this button below for an article in English about the event. Reach...

Cleaning Grain

The dust and earth of the field and chaff from the plants clings to the tiny seeds of barley, wheat, and peas. To clean them you need a water canal with a drop, large woven cloths,...

Journeys to the Upper Valleys

Each summer we’ve spent in Tar requires journeys up the valleys. To feed the goats, sheep, cows, and dzo. To gather wood and medicine. We follow the water. Only occasionally do...

Chuli

As the barley dries and turns golden in the fields, the apricots in the branches above grow soft and sweet and ready. This spring snow fell when the blossoms were on the trees in the...

LEARN MORE ABOUT US

We first traveled to Tar and started working there in the springtime of 2015, learning the practices of traditional Ladakhi agriculture and shepherding. Since then we’ve been busy, both in Ladakh and in Maine where we come from. We have learned that a good work party is a great way to be together as a community — and we can accomplish amazing things.

WE'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU

🙂 😀 We are looking for help 😀 🙂 😀

Many of the people who have been primarily caring for Tar over the last 40 years are growing older now, and their children are finding homes and livelihoods based in a more urban cash economy. There is still plenty of work to be done, and fewer strong, willing bodies present and able to carry the load.

At the same time, welcoming and hosting people in homestays affords the Tarpa a valuable village-based income source, and comes as naturally and joyfully as breathing.

Plowing time (April-May) and harvest time (Aug-Sept) are the times when agricultural labor in the village is needed the most. Winter time is a good opportunity to be with young people, home on their long school break. If you think you might be interested in coming to volunteer in any capacity, please don’t hesitate to be in touch. 😀