.jpg) | |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| India: 2,661 (2011)[1] | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
 China : India :Ladakh | |
| Languages | |
| Changthang language | |
| Religion | |
| MainlyBuddhism (89%)[1] | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Baltis,Ladakhis,Purigpa, and otherTibetan People |
TheChangpa, orChampa, are a semi-nomadicTibetan people found mainly in theChangtang plateau inLadakh,India. A smaller number resides in the western regions of theTibet Autonomous Region and were partially relocated for the establishment of theChangtang Nature Reserve. By 1989, there were half a million nomads living in the Changtang area.[2]
The homeland of the Changpa is a high-altitudeplateau known as theChangtang, which forms a portion of western and northern Tibet extending to southeastern Ladakh, andChangpa means "northerners" inTibetan.[3] Unlike many other nomadic groups in Tibet, the Changpa are not under pressure from settled farmers as the vast majority of land they inhabit is too inhospitable for farming.[4]
Most of the Tibetan Changtang is now protected by means of nature reserves consisting of theChang Tang Nature Reserve, the second-largest nature reserve in the world, and four new adjoining smaller reserves totalling 496,000 km2 (191,507 sq. miles) of connected Nature Reserves, which represents an area almost as large asSpain and bigger than 197 countries. Since the reserves were established, there has been a welcome increase in the number of endangered species. The protected areas stretch across parts of theTibet Autonomous Region,Xinjiang andQinghai inChina.[2]
The Changpa ofLadakh are high-altitude pastoralists, raising mainly yaks and goats. Among the Ladakh Changpa, those who are still nomadic are known asPhalpa and they take their herds from the Hanley Valley to the village of Lato. Hanley is home to six isolated settlements, where the sedentary Changpa, theFangpa, reside. Despite their different lifestyles, both these groups intermarry. The Changpa speakChangskhat, a dialect ofTibetan, and practiceTibetan Buddhism.[5]
Only a small part of Changthang crosses the border into Ladakh, in theIndian union territory ofJammu and Kashmir. It is, however, on a historically important route for travelers journeying from Ladakh toLhasa, and now has many different characteristics due to being part of India. Historically, the Changpa of Ladakh would migrate with their herds into Tibet, but with the Chinese takeover of Tibet, this route has been closed.[3]
As of 2001, the Changpa are classified as aScheduled Tribe under theIndian government's reservation program ofaffirmative action.[6]
For many Changpa, rearing of animals and consuming and selling their produce (milk and its products, hair and meat) is their only means of livelihood.[7]
The Changpa rear the highly pedigreed and prizedChangra goats (Capra hircus) that yield the rare Pashmina (Cashmere) fibre. The Changra goats are not raised for their meat but for their fibre (pashm). The pashmina fibre (Pashm inPersian) is the finest fibre of all goat hair.[7]
A documentary,Riding Solo to the Top of the World, was directed by Gaurav Jani. Another documentary,The Nomadic Night, depicting the life of the Changpa, was directed byMarianne Chaud.[8]
