Ladakhi Dress: A Royal Legacy
Captured and curated by Aashna Dhiman
Among its many picturesque sights that leave you spellbound, Ladakh's traditional dress is a reflection of a century-old culture that has effortlessly been woven into the colourful threads, heavy fabrics, and intricate jewellery of today.
Since the days of silk route, Ladakh has been a home to precious gems and fabrics. The caravans that travelled from western Himalayas would bring hand-woven shawls, silk, and gold to the region and ones that travelled from China would carry precious gems and jewellery.
It was not long when these materials found its way into the hands of the weavers and eventually into wardrobes of the royal families. So much so that these dresses and jewelries began to signify wealth and status for the people in the region.
What are some of the popular pieces of this Ladakhi attire? Let's scroll.
PERAK (Headdress)
The serpent-shaped headdress with long lines of turquoise marbles, called Perak, is the most cherished piece of legacy amongst the Ladakhi families, especially women. It is believed that the seven lines stand for seven generations of a family, further representing the family ancestry. The Perak is usually passed down from a mother to her eldest daughter during her marriage.
GONCHA/SULMA (Gown/Robe)
The Goncha is made of natural or combination of materials like cotton, silk, velvet, and brocade. It is wore by both men and women (also referred to as Sulma for women) as it helps them stay warm in the cold temperatures. Here, the Ladakhi performers have also adorned their gowns with silver trinkets and jewellery.
KAU (Amulet)
At the center of this royal attire is an octagonal-shaped gold amulet called Kau. The jewellers design it with intricate carvings, colourful gems and pearls and is usually wore as a necklace by women during special or religious occasions. Another similar amulet is also woven into Perak, thereby creating a visual harmony in the entire outfit.
LOKPA (Woolen Cape)
In some of the Ladakhi dresses, especially those wore in the northern cold altitudes, includes a woolen shawl or cape made of warm sheep skin. To give it a traditional appearance, it is stitched with printed silk cloth and pinned on top of the goncha to finish the look.
PABU (Shoes)
Finally, we have the embroidered shoes, whose insole is made of jute and outsole is made of goat or yak skin. The shoes keep its natives warm and also represents their roots to ancient royalty with its pointed tip in the front.
"Like a tiny mirror reflecting a society often distant in time and space, a single piece [of clothing or jewellery] can reveal its wearer's sex, their regional origin, position in society and way of life as well as allowing us glimpses of religious preoccupations and beliefs."
- Clarke, Jewellery of Tibet and the Himalayas
