LEH, SEPT 27: The traditional life and cultural heritage of Ladakh’s nomadic communities came into focus at the Ladakh Festival 2026 with the screening of the documentary ‘Nomads Under the Stars’ at Leh Polo Ground and Rang Thag.
Directed by Stanzin Dorjai Gya and produced by the Jungwa Foundation, the film documents the distinctive lifestyle, traditional practices and animal-based livelihoods of nomadic communities in the Changthang region.
Gyan Lay of Karzok Monastery underlined the importance of preserving the community’s traditional way of life and documenting its cultural practices for future generations.
He spoke about traditional migration across Changthang, customary clothing and livelihoods linked to livestock, stressing the need to support communities in sustaining their traditional way of life.He also highlighted the ecological and cultural significance of Tsomoriri Lake, urging residents and visitors to prevent pollution and littering and collectively protect the fragile high-altitude ecosystem.
Administrative Secretary, Tourism & Culture, UT Ladakh, Sanjit Rodrigues, commended the filmmaker, Jungwa Foundation and the team behind the documentary for bringing Ladakh’s traditional knowledge and cultural heritage to a wider audience.
Rodrigues also stressed the importance of responsible tourism, saying greater awareness of local traditions and lifestyles can encourage visitors to respect Ladakh’s communities, culture and fragile environment.
Mementos were presented to dignitaries in recognition of their contributions.
The documentary provides an intimate glimpse into the lives of Changthang’s nomads, portraying their close relationship with the land, traditional livelihoods and cultural resilience amid the region’s challenging high-altitude landscape.
The screening witnessed participation from local residents, tourists and culture enthusiasts and highlighted cinema as a medium for documenting and promoting Ladakh’s rich cultural heritage.
