Kargil, Jan 25: The Ethnic Mamani Food Festival, celebrating the traditional food culture of the Purig community, was organised in Kargil on Saturday with Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor (CEC), LAHDC Kargil, Dr. Mohd Jaffer Akhoon, attending as Chief Guest. The festival was organised by the Himalayan Cultural Heritage Foundation in collaboration with the Tribal Research Institute, University of Ladakh, Kargil Campus.
The festival featured multiple stalls offering a variety of traditional food items prepared from locally sourced ingredients, reflecting the region’s indigenous dietary practices. Appreciating the initiative, Dr. Akhoon encouraged the organisers to expand the festival’s scale and reach in the coming years, stating that traditional food practices are closely linked to cultural identity.
The programme began with the National Anthem followed by a traditional Khataq welcome. In the welcome address, Dr. Jaffer Ali highlighted the cultural importance of the Mamani Food Festival within the Purig tribal community and outlined the objectives of the Tribal Research Institute, University of Ladakh, towards preservation and promotion of Ladakh’s tribal heritage.
Addressing the gathering, the CEC traced the historical evolution of traditional food practices and stressed the need to stay connected with local culture, language and heritage. He said such festivals provide a platform to revive indigenous knowledge systems. Dr. Akhoon also raised concern over changing food habits, linking modern diets and chemical additives to rising health issues, and noted that earlier generations enjoyed better health due to natural diets and active lifestyles. He called for restoring traditional food practices in daily life and promoting the Mamani Food Festival on a wider level.
Dr. Akhoon appreciated Anayat Ali Shotopa for consistently promoting ethnic food festivals and thanked the Himalayan Cultural Heritage Foundation and Vice Chancellor, University of Ladakh, Prof. Saket Kushwaha, for strengthening education and research in Ladakh.
Additional Deputy Commissioner, Kargil, Imteeaz Kacho, praised the organisers for preserving local food traditions and highlighted the health benefits of indigenous diets. Brigadier 121, Ashish Joshi, emphasised the role of such festivals in honouring elders and sustaining cultural values, while expressing concern over deteriorating food habits among youth.
Additional Superintendent of Police, Kargil, Kacho Ishtiyaq, spoke on the cultural relevance of the Mamani festival and suggested academic research to explore cultural similarities with other regional festivals.
Welcoming the dignitaries, Anayat Ali Shotopa thanked participants and requested the inclusion of the Mamani Food Festival in the official tourism festival calendar. He also acknowledged the contribution of former CEC Kacho Ahmed Khan in promoting local food festivals.
Mohd Ali Waziri detailed the historical and nutritional value of traditional Mamani dishes, while students from the Department of Anthropology, University of Ladakh, shared academic perspectives on the festival’s cultural significance. The vote of thanks was presented by Dr. Mehboob Ali, In-charge Administrator, University of Ladakh.
The event was attended by senior civil, police and military officials, scholars, students and community members.
