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| CULTURE PRESERVATION |
| Himalayan communities are by and large self-reliant, and nature-dependent. They have evolved from being hunter-gatherers to communities that draw their livelihoods from agriculture and animal husbandry. Hunting-gathering, however, continues to provide significantly for the Himalayan households to this day. This is partly because Nature has been munificent and blessed the region with extensive forests and wild areas that house several plants and animals that serve as food for humans, and also because the remoteness of the region and the consequential isolation of its inhabitants has resulted in relatively low incursions of the monetized economy. |
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| Title: |
Protection of Cultural Diversity in the Himalayas |
| Author: |
Banerji, G. and Fareedi, M. |
| Source: |
Pragya |
| Year: |
2009 |
| Publisher: |
Pragya, India |
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Abstracts:The Himalayan region is considered to be a cultural complex. Although each community inhabiting the region has its own distinct language, culture and tradition, Himalayan communities are in totality bound together by what is usually referred to as the ‘Himalayan way of life’ characterized by a strong nature connect, physical and social isolation from the mainland and distinct lifestyle and culture. In the context of severe cultural erosion the region faces today, this paper seeks to explore the means to preserve and promote the rich Himalayan culture.
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| Title: |
A Local Practices Brief on Spitian Architecture |
| Author: |
Heritage Management Team, Pragya |
| Source: |
Pragya |
| Year: |
2005 |
| Publisher: |
Pragya, India |
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Abstracts:The report provides an insight to the indigenous settlement pattern and architecture in the cold desert of Spiti. It deals with the settlement types, building materials, site characteristics, construction methods, interiors and decoration. Spitian architecture has seen a gradual shift from traditional methods of construction, which require low heating to modern ones, which translate into increased energy bills, increased stress on forest resources and higher maintenance costs. The report highlights the need for adoption of sustainable and feasible construction techniques for the region that blend ancient wisdom with modern features.
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| Title: |
Protection of cultural diversity in the Himalayas |
| Author: |
Social Development Team, Pragya |
| Source: |
Pragya |
| Year: |
2009 |
| Publisher: |
Pragya, India |
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Abstracts:he Himalayan region is a cultural complex, with each little valley and plateau with its distinctive cultural forms. The isolation bred by the high mountain ranges has helped nurture a multiplicity of tribes with unique cultures that include languages, social structures, spiritual traditions, arts & crafts (weaving, metal craft, architecture, music & dance) and certain invaluable traditional knowledge systems (ethnobotany, medicine). However, with increasing connectivity, the unique cultural forms are fast eroding. But this process of erosion is a gradual one and timely interventions can halt or even reverse the trend. Identification of the stage a particular society is in, in terms of cultural erosion, could help determine and implement appropriate and timely policies for preservation of these cultures. This paper looks into the different hazards facing the Himalayan culture and the possible modes of preservation that are being undertaken.
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| Title: |
The Buzhen performers - end of an era? |
| Author: |
Basu, S. and Siddiqui, N. |
| Source: |
Research & Advocacy Team, PRAGYA |
| Year: |
2012 |
| Publisher: |
Pragya |
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Abstracts:The article draws attention towards one of the art form and a way of life that has been endangered in the Himalayas - the performances by the Buzhens. The descendants of the married monks of the Nyingma sect, Buzhens are a community of preachers; dare devil performers; harlequins and wandering minstrels. With only a handful of performers and teachers remaining, this art form faces obliteration from the cultural map of the Himalayas.
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| Title: |
Product development for Traditional Crafts of Lahaul |
| Author: |
Dorji, Shalini P. |
| Source: |
Social Development Team, PRAGYA |
| Year: |
2011 |
| Publisher: |
Pragya, India |
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Abstracts: Handloom exemplify the richness and diversity of culture. The document studies the endangered crafts of the Lahaul valley in Himachal Pradesh to main stream these traditional crafts so that they gain importance in the domestic and export market. The product development process concentrated on 'Pherba' and 'Chugtu' crafts to create a range of products and noted the tremendous market potential of these products.
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