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The ancient kingdom of Mustang also
known as the forbidden kingdom is in
a spectacular location on a high
plateau in central Asia, hidden
behind an almost impassable wall of
the world's highest mountains. The
dominant geological feature is the
Kali Gandaki gorge. This is the
deepest gorge in the world, and is
part of an ancient trade route
stretching from Lhasa, across the
Tibetan plateau and then down the
gorge via Nepal to India. The
isolation of Lo-manthang was at
times helpful in maintaining a
degree of independence during
periods of conflict between
warlords. There are close cultural
ties between Tibet and Lo-manthang.
Due to its proximity to
Tibet and the arid
mountainous terrain that
surrounds and protects upper
mustang-culture, religions
and language have remained entirely
Tibetan Its people, known as the Loba, speak a dialect of Tibetan,
and geographically Lo-manthang is a
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extension of the same plateau, with
the same problems of
inaccessibility. It's an austerely
beautiful land demanding and harsh:
alternately sun drenched and
snowdrift, whipped and scoured by
fierce, ceaseless wind a land where
comfort is scarce. With the onset of
winter most people here bundle up
and descend to the Himalayan
foothills, and return only after the
temperatures go up again. Most of
the people engage in farming during
summer, though there is little
vegetation as the region itself is
high mountains desert. It is reached
only by foot or on horseback from Jomsom, nearest airport.
Geography
of Mustang
Mustang covers
2,563 square kilometers and lies on
the border of Nepal with Tibet. Over
8,000 people live in around 1,200
households in 32 villages and
hamlets. Speaking a number of
Tibetan dialects, they are
culturally Tibetan, following
traditional forms of Buddhism.
Mustang lies above 11,000 feet, with
harsh climatic conditions. Very
little rain falls. Tibetan
Buddhism's history has flourished in
Mustang since the 8th century.
Following the Chinese occupation of
Tibet, it is in danger of extinction
unless efforts are made to pass it
on within the Tibetan community
outside it's homeland. |
