4 minute read
8. SLICE OF TRIBE
from F.Y.I MAGAZINE
A look at the Nomadic Rabo Tribe of Ladakh
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-Abhijit Kumar Arora
Tribes have historically and invariably always led a life in isolation. Isolation of tribes is understood in terms of separated mode of survival in distant frontiers of geographical areas, far from modern interventions. The 21 st century world, unlike primitive tribes has embarked upon technological sophistication and digital advancement. It won’t be incorrect to state that a world once considered unfathomed, is now much more known, accessible and integrated as a ‘global village’. However, not all integrate with or acquaint themselves to this ‘global village’ due to social and geographic alienation.
The Rabo tribe of Ladakh tells one such story of isolation. The tribe is essentially of Buddhist lineage and descent. Here is a nomadic tribe that rears Pashmina goats and yaks for sustenance. These nomads live in the Nyoma block of Leh District, prominent in areas around Kharnak Zara, Samad Rukhten, Kurzok and Chagga on the Leh-Manali road, which are tentdwelling clusters and settlements, being in transition and mobility every 3-4 months. Their isolation is reflected in their architecture. As these are transitional units, permanency is elusive to them. A square form of pit, 6-7 feet deep, is dug on the ground. Yaks and goats stay in the open stone enclosure. A tent of conical or square form is erected over and above this pit. Interior walls of the pit are lined with stones erected for support. A narrow pit at the periphery protects the tent dwellers from cold and predators like leopards during the night. Earlier tents used to be made of priced and top-quality Pashmina wool that kept it warm. However, in recent years, tents of cheaper yak wool and even of thick cotton cloth have come as an alternative.
Yak wool tent houses’ prove to be frugal as shelters in terms of providing heat insulation as compared to ‘Pashmina tent houses.’
No hurdle faced by the tribe is miniscule. Be it from lack of road accessibility, ration, medicines and occupational enterprises to extreme snowfall, snowstorms and dwindling pasture for cattle, every day is daunting for their sustenance. Competition for space with the ‘Dopka’ nomadic tribe of Tibetan migrant-refugees in the Changthang region is an imminent tussle for survival.
The Rabo tribal life is now in a flux and undergoing a period of change by migrating to the city of Leh as meagre ‘wage-wanders’– in search of wage-labour work at construction sites or roads. They remain relatively isolated and stagnant, not only in physical-geographical terms, but also in terms of being devoid of diversified development occupational opportunities and lack of awareness towards healthcare and education.
Courtesy: Dr. Mohinder Kumar
Traditional way of life compounds and forces their dependency on rearing cattle-stock and live-stock. A paradigm shift in the state policies are required to bring a holistic social and financial development for the tribal community at large. Moreover, the cultural-potential of the community needs to be tapped into, so that more entrepreneurship and skilled based training avenues can be created. Only then will the tribe undergo a change from this social-geographic-economic‘isolation’.
Courtesy: Dr. Mohinder Kumar 69
CONVENTION CENTER, MYSURU
About 200m from the eastern side of the site lies the very famous Lalit Mahal Palace, which is one of the iconic structures in Mysuru.
The main idea or concept of the site plan was derived from the context of the site, respecting it and not dominating but rather embracing it. A central axis has been considered from center of the site. One of the reason for considering this axis was to retain the visual connection to the place. So that people passing through the front road of the site can still have a visual contact with the Mahal. Another reason which led to the decision of considering this axis was the topographical pattern and water shed pattern in and around the site.
PROCESS
-Yash Tambe The intent was not to disturb the natural water shed pattern. To support these decisions, a pedestrian plaza is proposed which lies on this axis surrounded by the built form.
One of the most crucial aspects of a convention center is the public movement and circulation. The circulation should be easy to figure out, yet be interesting enough for creating an experience for the user.
VYOMA (AVI)
Vyoma
- A Sanskrit word which implies for sky, one that surrounds us
Avi
- Sense of enclosure
- An envelope
