Grant_3

Today I went with a tour group, in several four wheel drives and went sight seeing at the mountain rages of the vast plateau and visited some of the native Tibetan Nomads. Portraits of nomads offer a rare glimpse into a way of life that is rapidly vanishing> Their living is known as Nomadic pastoralism. It is an adaptation by people to grassland areas of the world where the raising of livestock is more supportive of human life than the growing of crops. Over centuries, the nomads acquired complex knowledge about the environment in which they lived and upon which their lives depended, which enabled them to persist in one of the most inhospitable places on earth. But, they did more than just survive. The nomads created a unique, vibrant culture, about which, even today, so little is known. These people, at first were very hesitant about, talking with us tourists. As we approached their camps, we found it unusual that they stuck their tungs out at us and clapped their hands in the air. Were they teasing us or applauding us? neither, apparently its what they do to scare of invading spirits. After a while, they realised that we were no harm because our tour guide explained to them that we were just curious to their way of life. After that the became much more friendly and photogenic. When we thing of the clothing worn by most native societies, we think of a rag wrapped around ones waits and sometimes nothing at all. These nomads live at the highest point on earth, in the most rugged terrain, and yet, are sumhow able to make the most colourful and beautifl clothing i have ever seen. There was one particular nomad that stood out, here eyes absolutley captivated me, and she was more that happy to let me take a photo of her.

HEarding livestock at 8000m up, in all sorts of horrid weather is not easy. Its an extreemly tough life and it was very evident in this photo. With beads strung in her hair and bangles on her arms though, even this nomad woman has a hint of glamour to her in spite of the worn and tattered clothes she has on.

As long as there is grass and yaks, nomads on the Tibetan Plateau and Himalaya will undoubtedly maintain their nomadic culture and the world will be richer for it. The nomads will provide expressions of beauty and grandeur, not only in their dress but in their personality. Tommorow I shall be visiting the largest palace in the world, at over 700 years old, 13 stories high, its a work of ancient architectual brilliance, The Potala Palace.