With an elderly Aryan couple
There are an unusually large number of Aryans above the age of 70. Many of the elderly were active even at 90. The most striking feature of these Aryans is their looks. Their blue eyes, aristocratic noses, round eyes, fair complexion and flawless skin, made them ethnically distinct from Ladakhis or Kashmiris. Aryans observe a strict taboo against marrying outsiders and have ensured a code of conduct to maintain their racial purity over centuries. They restrict their contact with the outside world and are happy in their isolated existence. Married women braid their hair, which makes them resemble Greeks. Some of the families I stayed with include Misken Soman, Shirin Konshkit, Tsering Dolma, Sonam Dolma, Sonam Lamo, Tashi Panma, Tsering Chospel, Chewen Dolma and Tsering Nurbu and Tsering Jorphel.One of the ladies I photographed at Dah, could be mistaken for a German tourist. She was blonde, had blonde eyebrows, high cheek bones, rotund face and unmistakable German features.
One of the most fascinating aspects of the lives of these Aryans, is a belief in prophecies and the recording of dreams. Most elderly Aryans, meet in the morning at the Juniper grove and discuss their dreams as if nature was communicating to them through the language of dreams.