Lahauli Culture & Society Notes

Ethnography: The Lahauls

Cultural Study of the Lahaul-Spiti Region

General Profile & Geography

Dwellers: Inhabitants of the Lahaul area in Lahaul-Spiti district.
Geography: Barren, desolate, and windswept region.
Elevation: Average 3500 meters.
Ethnicity: A mixed race. An amalgamation of Tibetan settlers (Bhaga, Spiti, & Chandra valleys) and Aryans/Semi-Aryans from the West/South.
- Spitians: Purely Tibetan; unlike Lahaul valley, no race of Hindu or Aryans.
- Evolution: Evolved from cross-breeding of Aryan and Mongolian race types.

Item	Description
Kattar	Long loose Tibetan gown (White or Brown). Younger generation wears coats.
Tobru	Kullu cap; Common headgear.
Suthan	Warm tight trousers.
Ornaments	Lahauli women wear specific Head & Neck ornaments with dresses.

Social Rules: Endogamous and Polyandrous.
Types of Marriage:
- Tabhagston: Arranged marriage.
- Kumai Bhagston: Theft marriage; allows freedom of choice to boy and girl.
Prohibitions: No marriage allowed up to 3 degrees of relationship on either the father’s or mother’s side.
Age: Not fixed. Typically 20–25 years for boys; 17–20 years for girls.

The Betrothal Process (Tabhagston):

Boy’s father & maternal uncle bring Chang (local drink) to girl’s home to negotiate.
Girl’s mother asks for girl’s consent. If she agrees, parents accept the Chang.
Chang is sent 3 times. At the 3rd time, the rupee (payment) settles the matter and the date is fixed.

Groom and 8–10 friends fetch the bride at night.
Groom must pay a fee to servants to gain entry to the bride’s house.
Groom presents gifts; his Chang is passed over to all.
Traditional Food: Cake made of roasted barley flour kneaded with butter and dried sheep ribs.

Consists of 8–10 outfits, money, utensils, a low or hybrid yak, and one or two ponies.

Ceremonies performed to counteract Shrinom (hidden evils) brought from the road.
Iha-pa: Spirit medium engaged to counteract evil.
After invoking benevolence of Iha, a live sheep is thrown from the roof onto the wedding party.
Party tears out and eats the sheep’s heart/liver raw.
Lama reads the Chos to scare away evils and breaks a dough effigy to kill the demon.

Divorces are rare.
In case of childlessness, a second wife is taken. The 1st wife retains the position of honor in the house; 2nd wife does outdoor work.
Kudpa Chadche: The Divorce Ceremony. A thin thread of wool is teased apart by the couple using their little fingers. After this, they may remarry.
Financials: If the man seeks divorce, he loses dowry claims and pays a sum to the wife. If the woman seeks it, she pays money to the husband.
Status: Women are highly respected compared to many other societies.

Non-vegetarians (mostly); no taboos for food or drink.
Meals:
- Breakfast: Buckwheat/wheat flour pancakes.
- Lunch: Barley flour porridge with dried buckwheat leaves.
- Dinner: Buckwheat/wheat cakes with meat, soup, or curds.
Beverages: Lugri (a local drink), Chang (fermented wheat/rice/barley), Whisky (distilled barley), and Tea (with salt & butter).
Livestock: Cattle are generally not slaughtered (except Bhaga valley). Sheep meat is dried and used for years.
Dagis eat dead cows and bullocks but Hesis don’t.

Agriculture: Cultivate Potatoes, Wheat, Buckwheat, and Barley. Famous for potato production.
Historical Trade (Pre-1962): Purchased wool/pashmina from Tibet, sent back to Tibet for winter grazing. Now stopped due to border restrictions.
Business Travel: Lahaulas travel to Kullu, Kangra, Chamba, J&K for business purposes.
Other: Mule rearing, weaving, spinning, and knitting.
Karru (gentian) and Patis (aconite) roots are dug in waste land and sold in Kullu.

Lahaulas are known to be honest, hospitable, peace-loving, robust, and healthy.