KHAMPA
–They are believed to have migrated from Tibet ,kham is the name of a state in Tibet and the people of this state are known as ‘Khampa.
-They migrated to India as traders and those who stayed back are known as Gyakhar or .Gyagan
LOCATION–
They are scattered in Kullu ,Chamba, Kinnaur and Lahaul Spiti.
DIFFERENT NAMES-
– In Kullu valley they are called as “Baudh”
– In Uttrakhand they are known as “Shah Khampa” and distributed in darma and Byans villages of Pithoragarh
-In Spiti they are known as “Piti khampa”
-In Kinnaur as “kunnu khampa”,
-In Kullu known as “Neondi khampa”,
– In Chamba as “Thava khampa”
–In Lahaul as “Gharja khampa”.
–Nomadic khampas are known as “Nekher khampa” -people who came for pilgrimage.
–Their traditional script is Tibetan.
MARRIAGE SYSTEM
PHAKHTUN
Their marriages are generally fixed by negotiator known as “Phakhtun
–DIVORCE is known as Jatsari-jha-dal-va or Jha-cho-che.
-The girls sing ‘timde-luh’ during marriage where some questions was asked to bridegroom by bride’s friends.
–TIMDE LUH
– Song sung on the occasion of marriage called as Yanva or timde luh
RELIGIOUS BELIEFS-
-The khampas believe in all four sects of Lamaistic Budhism i.e ‘Galuka’, ‘Ningama-pa’,‘Sakya-pa’ and ‘Kharguda-pal
-Their family deity is known as Chhadna Dorge.
DRESSES
-Traditional dress of Khampa consists of
1.Chhuba -long gown
2.Banjug -shirt
3.Siring Kinger – cap
4. Suktu -woolen bed sheet
Their earlier staple diet used to be thugpa and momo.
SOCIAL RITUALS-
BIRTH RITUALS-
-Raldak – Ceremony is observed before the child is 2 years of age.
DEATH RITUALS-
-Rituals connected with death are also observed on the chizitk (4th day), drzik (7day), shipehu sherku (4th day) and logar (after one year).
-MAJOR FAIRS
-Losar is New year of Kampa observed on 24″ or 25 February.
–Galde Gamche – observed in may
-In Spiti and Kinnaur “Goetr” and “Ladarcha” fair are held in which “khunnu” and “piti khampas” take part The most popular design with people is that of a “Dragon”.
KHAMPAS BROUGHT PASHMINA WOOL TO INDIA.
TRADITIONAL COUNCIL
Khampa have Traditional Council known as Shuzam chungi which is headed by gova