Kargil: Bridging classroom learning with the pulse of tradition, M.Sc. Anthropology students from the University of Ladakh’s Kargil Campus stepped into the heart of Purig’s cultural landscape with a field excursion to the centuries-old villages of Barso Tsibar (Chibar) and Steyangkung. The visit aimed to immerse students in the lived realities of Ladakh’s rural communities — their architecture, beliefs, and ways of life that have endured despite the march of modernity.
The visit, conducted under the supervision of faculty members, was part of the department’s ongoing effort to familiarize students with anthropological field methods through direct observation and community interaction. Students from the first and third semesters engaged with villagers to understand local lifestyles, belief systems, and settlement patterns that continue to shape Purig’s rural identity.
Both Barso Tsibar and Steyangkung, nestled amid rugged mountains, display a blend of natural beauty and traditional craftsmanship. The villages retain much of their old-world character, with stone and wooden houses featuring narrow windows and doors, alongside irrigated farmlands sustained by ancient water channels. Modern development has made limited inroads into these areas, preserving their cultural and architectural authenticity.
One of the highlights of the visit was the students’ encounter with the oldest sacred juniper tree (Shukpa) in Ladakh, located in Barso Tsibar — a site deeply rooted in the region’s Buddhist heritage. In contrast, Steyangkung offered insights into the area’s Islamic history, particularly through the tomb of Akhone Muhammad Sharif, the revered preacher credited with introducing Islam to Purig Kargil and constructing its first mosque.
Students also visited a privately maintained museum in Steyangkung, curated by Mr. Zakir Hussain Akhonepa, a descendant of Akhone Muhammad Sharif. The museum houses a wide range of traditional artifacts, manuscripts, and cultural objects that chronicle the spiritual and material life of earlier generations.
The excursion provided students with practical exposure to ethnographic documentation, including interviews with residents and field observations of traditional lifestyles. The department expressed appreciation to Dr. Mehboob Ali, Incharge Administration, Kargil Campus, for facilitating transportation, which contributed to the smooth conduct of the academic exercise.
Through such fieldwork, the University of Ladakh continues to encourage experiential learning, allowing young anthropologists to engage directly with the cultural landscapes that define Ladakh’s diverse heritage.
