Changpa Tribe

Syllabus-Prelims: Indian Geography

Why in news-

• The Changpa nomads are facing challenges due to reported land loss on the border, allegedly caused by Chinese incursion.
• Sonam Wangchuk and the LAB aimed to bring awareness to this issue through a Pashmina border march.
• The march was called off to avoid confrontation with law enforcement agencies after the administration-imposed restrictions.
• The LAB is exploring alternative ways to continue their peaceful protest, such as hunger strikes.

About-

• The Changpa tribe, also known as Champa, are a fascinating group of semi-nomadic people with a unique lifestyle adapted to the harsh environment of the high Himalayas.

Location:

• The Changpa, or Champa, are semi-nomadic people found mainly in the Changtang plateau of southeastern Ladakh.
• Tibet
• A smaller number resides in western Tibet Autonomous Region
• They share linguistic and cultural affinities with Tibetans.
• They are high-altitude pastoralists, raising mainly yaks and goats. They live at an average altitude of 4,500 metresabove sea level.

Lifestyle:

• Semi-nomadic: They follow a seasonal pattern, moving their herds to different pastures throughout the year
• Divided into two sub-groups:
  • Phalpa – The nomadic Changpa who live in tents and move with their animals
  • Fangpa – The settled Changpa who live in permanent settlements

Livelihood:

• Primarily pastoralists, relying on rearing yaks and goats for their survival
• Famous for breeding Changra goats, known for their production of Pashmina wool, an extremely fine and valuable fiber

Religion and Culture:

• Deeply devoted to Tibetan Buddhism
• Speak Changskhat, a dialect of Tibetan

Challenges:

• The harsh climate and high altitude pose challenges for survival
• Balancing their traditional way of life with modern development pressures

The Changpa people are an essential part of the Changthang ecosystem and their culture is a unique blend of Tibetan traditions and nomadic adaptations.