Himalayan Research Bulletin

49. Shepherd in Nimaling

I took this photo in Nimaling, the base camp where we rested half a day before continuing to the Gongmaru La pass. It was the afternoon. The shepherd crossed our base camp with his herd. They had to cross a river, which on this day was quite swollen (it had been raining the night before). Sheep at this altitude have very short legs (they look really funny!), and so it was dangerous for them to cross the river without stumbling and being taken away by the waters. There were just two slippery trunks being used as a bridge over the water. So what to do? Ladakhi people are always creative. Some men came, stepped on the bridge, grabbed one sheep after the other, and handed them to the next person until they landed safe on the other side (where some of the stupid sheep stepped right into the water again!). The shepherd looks happy, doesn't he? He didn't notice me taking the picture.

Birgit Keil
Markustrasse 10, 53129 Bonn, Germany
b.keil@gmx.net

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Portland State University Geography Department