The people of Ladakh are hardy and strong, akin to the rugged mountains which surround their dwellings, yet very gentle and plane at heart .They resemble the people of Tibet and central Asia more than the people of India .
The original population is believed to have been that of Dards, an Indo-Aryan race. Over the years, a huge influx from Tibet overwhelmed the culture of the "Dards" and obliterated their racial characteristics. In eastern and central Ladakh, today's population seems to be mostly of Tibetan origin.
©Kieron Nelson "Vanishing Cultures Photography" All rights reserved
