This was written before trekking in Mustang, between the villages on the old trade route between Tibet and Nepal that was used for hundreds of years by caravans of sheep and goats carrying salt and wool.
Shamanist masks are used throughout the India Himalaya and Nepal. They represent animals, ancestors, deities and are worn at masked dance ceremonies so the wearer can to connect with the spirit, deity or caricature.
India is a treasure store of traditional crafts. For over 40 years we’ve been travelling to India and been amazed by the diversity of decorative skills.
Wood carving is an important decorative & cultural tradition in many parts of India. In the forested north, houses are built from timber & decorated with floral & geometric carving.