Click to play videoGharkaun (Ladakh): Meet the Drogpas – the tribe which usually greet people with a song and a dance and 70-year-old Tsering Gampyal sums up their philosophy of love and life in a song.
The Drogpas claim to be the only one left of the Aryan race in the world. Polygamy too is tradition amongst the Drogpas that has its roots in the age-old monarchial order.
In fact, Gampyal and his three brothers once shared a wife, but not anymore.
But things are changing now. Polyandry is vanishing but polygamy is still practised. Currently, there are about 2,500 Drogpas families in six villages but the tribe is taking to the nuclear family system, hoping to increase its numbers.
"We were 23-24 people living together in one house and with the families of my four sons. The number increased so they are separated now my sons have their own wives, separate house. We are spreading around," a resident of Gharkhaun, Tsering Gamyal says.
The Drogpas of Ladakh have been an attraction for tourists and anthropologists - the tribe's colourful ways of life, their sheepskin clothing, rich jewellery and a zest for life. But like any other citizen, they too seek development and long for the much-needed roads and schools.
"The government promote culture in all areas. But we are being left behind be it roads or schools," another resident of Gharkaun, Tsering Durkha says.
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