How the Last Tibetan Community Lives on the Roof of the Himalayas

[00:00:00]Shut [music] up.

[00:00:24]>> [music] >> When did you come in the monastery?

[00:00:31]>> Uh 20 years ago.

[00:00:33]>> 20 years ago.

[00:00:34]>> Wow. Okay.

[00:00:35]>> I'm 34 years.

[00:00:36]>> You're 34 years old? Yeah.

[00:00:39][music] There is a place in India where the clouds drift beneath ancient monasteries. Prayer flags dance endlessly in the mountain wind. And life has continued almost unchanged for centuries. Hidden deep within the eastern Himalayas, surrounded by towering peaks and rugged valleys, lies a land that feels closer to Tibet than to the modern world.

[00:01:12]What would it be like to live where winter buries roads beneath meters of snow? [music] Where Buddhist traditions guide everyday life? And where one of the world's largest monasteries [music] watches silently over remote mountain villages?

[00:01:38]How have people survived for generations in a place shaped by isolation, faith, and some of the harshest conditions in the Himalayas?

[00:01:52]If you enjoy exploring the world's most isolated villages and hidden cultures, subscribe to Sam Shaki. Now, let's begin. Welcome to Tawang, one of India's most remarkable Himalayan regions.

[00:02:06]Located in the western part of Arunachal Pradesh, Tawang sits at an altitude of more than 10,000 ft, 3,000 m above sea level. Surrounded by snowcovered [music] mountains, deep valleys, crystalclear rivers, and alpine lakes, it is one of the highest inhabited regions in India.

[00:02:28][music] For much of the year, heavy snowfall and difficult terrain isolate many villages from the [music] outside world, making survival here both challenging and extraordinary.

[00:02:41]Unlike most parts of India, Tawwang shares a deep cultural connection with [music] Tibet. For centuries, these mountains have been home to the Ma people, a Buddhist community whose language, architecture, clothing, traditions, and [music] spiritual beliefs closely resemble those found across the Tibetan plateau. But Tang is not only known for its breathtaking landscapes, it also lies close to one of the most sensitive frontiers in Asia, the India China border. Just beyond these mountains stretches the Tibetan autonomous [music] region of China.

[00:03:22]Because of its strategic location, Tawang has remained one of the most important Himalayan regions throughout history.

[00:03:30]The area has witnessed [music] ancient trade routes, cultural exchanges, political conflicts, and modern [music] border tensions, making it significant not only for its people, but also for the history of the entire region. Yet, long before borders divided these mountains, Tawang was already part of a thriving Himalayan civilization. For centuries, [music] caravans carrying salt, wool, tea, and precious goods crossed these high mountain passes, connecting Tibet with the Indian plains.

[00:04:07][music] Along these ancient [music] roots, traders exchanged not only merchandise but also languages, customs, [music] religious ideas, and traditions that continue to shape the identity [music] of Tawang today. The history of Tawang is inseparable from Tibetan Buddhism.

[00:04:33]The region has been influenced by [music] Buddhism for hundreds of years, becoming one of the most important spiritual centers in the eastern Himalayas.

[00:04:44]Ancient [music] monasteries were established across the mountains serving as places of worship, education, and community life for generations of Mpar families. Tawang also holds a unique place in Buddhist history as the birthplace of the sixth Dalai Lama, Changyang Yatso, who was born nearby in 1683. His poetry, philosophy, and spiritual legacy remain deeply respected throughout the Himalayan Buddhist world.

[00:05:24]Over the centuries, kingdoms rose and fell, political boundaries changed, and new governments emerged. Yet despite these transformations, life in Tawang's mountain villages continued to [music] follow the same rhythms of nature, faith, and community that had existed for generations.

[00:05:45]Even today, many villages remain surrounded by towering peaks where prayer flags flutter in the cold mountain wind and centuries old traditions continue to shape everyday life.

[00:06:00]>> [music] >> But history tells only part of Tawang's story. To truly understand this remarkable [music] region, we must leave the main roads behind and step into the remote villages where the Mpar people have preserved a unique way of life high in the Himalayas.

[00:06:23]Life in [music] Tawang is shaped by the mountains. Scattered across steep valleys and high [music] alitude slopes are smaller villages where families have lived for generations in close harmony with nature. Far from busy cities, these settlements remain peaceful, preserving traditions that have changed very little over the centuries. The houses themselves reflect the wisdom of mountain life. [music] Most traditional homes are built using locally available stone and timber with sloping roofs designed to withstand heavy snowfall.

[00:07:02]Thick wooden walls help keep the warmth inside [music] during freezing winters, while raised foundations protect the houses from moisture and harsh weather. Built by local craftsmen, these homes are simple, practical, and perfectly suited to one of the toughest climates in the Himalayas. Every morning begins long before sunrise.

[00:07:27]As the first light reaches the mountains, villagers begin their daily [music] routines. Some prepare fields for farming, while others take their yaks, cattle, or myth into nearby pastures. In these remote mountains, life still depends more on hard work than on modern technology.

[00:07:47]Agriculture is possible only during the short summer season. Families grow crops such as barley, maize, potatoes, and vegetables before winter arrives. Every harvest is carefully stored because these supplies [music] must last through months when snow covers the land and farming [music] becomes impossible.

[00:08:08]Livestock is equally important. Yaks provide milk, butter, cheese, [music] wool, and transportation across difficult mountain trails. Mithan, a large bovine native to the eastern Himalayas, is highly valued by the Ma people and plays an important role in both daily life and traditional ceremonies. Nothing here goes to waste.

[00:08:33]Milk is turned into butter, cheese, and [music] yogurt. Wool is woven into warm clothing and blankets, [music] while firewood is collected and stored long before winter begins. Every resource is carefully used because replacing it is never easy in such an isolated landscape. Family and community remain at the heart of village life. Neighbors help one another during harvests, house construction, and festivals. Living in these mountains has always required cooperation and that spirit continues today. Children grow up surrounded [music] by nature rather than city streets. Many walk long distances through mountain paths to reach school while others travel to nearby villages for their education. Alongside [music] modern subjects, they also learn the traditions of their ancestors, preserving the language, customs, and Buddhist values that have defined MPA society for centuries. Food in Tawang reflects both the climate and the culture. Warm bowls of tukba, handmade noodles, steamed momos, and locally prepared cheese provide the energy needed to survive the cold Himalayan weather. Most meals are simple, nutritious, and prepared using ingredients [music] grown or produced within the villages themselves. Electricity [music] and communication have improved in recent decades. Daily life in many villages still follows the rhythm of nature rather than the clock. The changing seasons determine when people farm, travel, celebrate, and prepare for the months ahead. But among all the challenges faced by the people of Tawang, none is greater than winter.

[00:10:30]When snow begins to fall across these mountains, [music] everyday life transforms completely and survival depends on preparation, experience, and the strength of the entire community.

[00:10:44]Winter in [music] Tawang is not simply a season. It is a test of survival. As autumn fades, the mountains begin to change. The green valleys slowly disappear [music] beneath frost. Icy winds sweep through the passes and temperatures drop far [music] below freezing. In many high alitude villages, snow can remain for months, turning familiar paths into dangerous white landscapes.

[00:11:13]During heavy snowfall, roads [music] are often blocked. Transportation becomes uncertain and some remote [music] settlements can remain partially isolated from the outside world for days or even weeks. For the people of Tawang, surviving winter depends on preparation long before the first snowflake falls.

[00:11:34]Families spend the warmer months storing everything they will need for the cold season ahead. Firewood is stacked carefully. Grains are dried and preserved. Vegetables are stored. And livestock shelters are reinforced against freezing temperatures. Every household prepares as if winter might last longer than expected. Because in the Himalayas, weather rarely follows a predictable schedule. When snow covers [music] the land, daily life slows down but never stops. People continue cooking, caring for animals, repairing tools, weaving woolen clothing, and maintaining their homes. Thick layers of traditional moa garments become essential, and warm butter tea is consumed throughout the day to provide energy against the cold. Yet despite the harsh conditions, winter is not only a time of hardship, it is also a time when community bonds become strongest.

[00:12:38]Families gathered together. Stories are shared around warm kitchens and ancient traditions are passed from one generation to the next. Among the most important traditions are the festivals [music] that bring life and color to the frozen mountains. The most significant celebration is Losar, the Tibetan Buddhist New Year. Villages are decorated, [music] homes are cleaned, prayers are offered for peace and prosperity, and families come together to welcome a new beginning.

[00:13:12]The festival is filled with music, traditional food, and a sense of renewal that contrasts [music] beautifully with the silent winter landscape outside.

[00:13:23]Another remarkable celebration is the Togia festival held at Tawang Monastery.

[00:13:29]During this festival, monks perform elaborate masked dances known as charm.

[00:13:36]Dressed in vibrant costumes representing protective deities. They move rhythmically to the sound of drums, horns, and symbols. These dances are not merely [music] performances. They are sacred rituals believed to drive away negative forces and [music] restore spiritual balance. To an outsider, the festival may appear theatrical, but for the people of Tawang, it is a living expression of faith that has continued for centuries. Buddhist traditions are woven into every aspect of life here.

[00:14:11]Prayer flags flutter across mountain ridges, carrying [music] blessings with the wind. Prayer wheels spin quietly beside village paths and many families begin their mornings with [music] prayers before starting their daily work. Spirituality is not confined to monasteries. [music] It exists in homes, fields, journeys, and even in the way people interact with the mountains around them. This deep connection to Buddhism has helped communities endure isolation, uncertainty, and the extremes of the Himalayan environment. It teaches patience, [music] compassion, and acceptance. Qualities that become essential when nature cannot be controlled. And at the center of this spiritual world stands a structure that has watched over Tawang for centuries.

[00:15:06]The great Tawang Monastery, one of the most important Buddhist institutions in the entire Himalayan region. In the next part, we step [music] inside this remarkable monastery and explore how tourism, modern education, and a new generation are shaping the future of Tawang's ancient [music] mountain culture. Standing high above the valley, overlooking the mountains and surrounding villages, Tang Monastery has remained the spiritual heart of the region for more than three centuries.

[00:15:41]Founded in 1680 to 1681 by Merak Lama Lordri Yatso under the guidance of the fifth Dalai Lama. It is the largest monastery in India and one of the largest [music] Tibetan Buddhist monasteries in the world. More than a place of worship, it has long served as a center of education, culture and community life for the Monpar people.

[00:16:09]Every morning the monastery comes alive with the sound of chanting monks, spinning prayer wheels, and the deep echoes of traditional horns.

[00:16:20]Young novice monks begin their day before sunrise, [music] studying Buddhist philosophy, scriptures, meditation, and centuries old traditions passed down from one generation to the next. For the people of Tang, the monastery is more than a historic landmark. It is where families gather during important festivals, where prayers are offered for health and prosperity, and where the values of compassion, peace, and community continue to guide everyday life. Even today, its influence can be felt in almost every village across the region.

[00:17:02]In recent years, however, Tawang has begun to change. Improved [music] roads, better communication, and the growing popularity of the region have brought increasing numbers of visitors from across India and around the world.

[00:17:18]Travelers come to experience the breathtaking Himalayan landscapes, ancient monasteries, peaceful [music] lakes, and the unique culture of the Monpar people. Tourism has created new opportunities.

[00:17:34]Many local [music] families now earn income through homeays, guiding services, handiccrafts, restaurants, and small businesses. Better roads have also improved access to education, health care, and markets, making life easier for many remote communities. But development also brings new challenges.

[00:17:58]As modern lifestyles spread, some traditional wooden houses are being replaced [music] with concrete buildings. Younger generations often leave their villages to study or work in larger cities. And with every family that moves away, a small part of the region's traditional knowledge risks being lost. The younger generation now stands between two worlds. One offers modern education, technology, and new opportunities.

[00:18:32]The other preserves a centuries old culture rooted in the Himalayas.

[00:18:38]Many young mpars are working to balance both, embracing progress while continuing to protect their language, festivals, Buddhist traditions, and way of life.

[00:18:51]The future of Tuang [music] will depend on that balance. Protecting its monasteries, preserving its mountain villages, respecting its environment, and keeping its cultural identity alive will be just as [music] important as building new roads, and welcoming more visitors. Because Tang [music] is far more than a beautiful destination.

[00:19:14]It is a place where faith still shapes daily life, where ancient traditions continue beneath snowcovered peaks, and where [music] the spirit of the Himalayas remains remarkably unchanged despite the passing of time. As the sun slowly disappears behind the mountains and the evening prayers echo [music] across the valley, Tang reminds us that true wealth is not always measured by modern cities or towering buildings.

[00:19:46]Sometimes it is found in quiet villages, timeless traditions, and communities that have learned to live in harmony with nature for generations.

[00:19:57]Thank you for watching. If you enjoyed this journey through one of the Himalayas's most remarkable regions, don't forget to like this video, subscribe [music] to Sama Shakia, and join us as we continue exploring the [music] world's most isolated villages and hidden cultures. Until next time, thank you for watching.