#brokpa

HM The King of Bhutan speaks to men from the Highland community in Merak and Sakteng. They wear distinctive red sheep-wool coats.

A dance performance featuring the Yak, the most important animal in the Highlands.

Highland communities are known for their rich and distinctive textiles, mostly made from yak hair or brightly dyed sheep wool. Here, the women of Lingshi, in their bright fur hats and iconic striped capes, perform a traditional song.

Young girl in Laya wears her best traditional clothes and ornaments that have been passed down for generations. Layap women are known for their black woven dresses and the iconic pointed hat secured with strings of colourful beads.

The Druk Gyalpo and the Prime Minister Dasho Dr Lotay Tshering

Laya performing traditional song of welcome and auspiciousness

More adorable pictures with the King.

Brokpa woman

Location: Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, India

I have captured thousands of portraits all around the world, but Tsering Tsomo is the very first woman with two husbands that I have the chance to photograph. Nestled deep in the mountains of Northern India, in the Aryan Valley, lives one of the most captivating ethnic groups on the planet. Most refer to them as the Brokpas, but they prefer to be called Aryans. Their remarkable traditional attire, worn during festivals and celebrations, is unique in the world. What's even more intriguing is that within this community, both men and women sometimes have multiple spouses. Historically, this practice was primarily aimed at consolidating land. A group of brothers would marry the same woman to prevent land disputes and divisions. However, this custom has become increasingly rare, and Tsering Tsomo is one of the last women in the community who has two husbands. She is the mother of four children and has always felt fortunate about her beautiful family.

A Brokpa woman from the Indian Himalayas wears her traditional dress, which includes a bouquet of flowers adorning the head.

The colourful and elaborate headgear that identifies a Brokpa is known as Tepi. Tepi has various colourful props attached to it and is embellished with berry flowers. Locals believe that the Tepi wards off the evil eye. How fascinating is that? What’s even more fascinating is that each prop on the headgear has its own unique significance. For example the seven coloured ribbons are there to ward off any ailment caused by the sun and eclipse. The silver brooches ward off planetary influences and the peacock feathers help to ward off paralysis.