Huari County

Detail of the deer motif embossed on silver and coral beads. To my knowledge, this design is only seen in the Huarei area.

Yak dung is the most common fuel used in Tibetan nomadic areas. This yak dung was collected by my mom and piled outside my home. During the summer the yaks go to the summer pasture, so we cannot transport their dung the long distance home. We only can collect dung during the winter when yaks are kept closer to home.

This is a tool people use while herding yaks or sheep. Slingshots are made from yak hair by men in Bailing Village.

This is my grandma, Kwa Drol. She is seventy-three years old. When she was young she always herded yaks. Milking and harvesting every day affected her joints, and you can see here how severe her arthritis is. Now that she has become old, she chants everyday for all living creatures. Here she is sitting in front of her family home in the spring time.

My mother demonstrates the full costume that women in my area wear on special occasions. My uncle is relaxing next to her. 

Mother is wears a choker and hair ornaments made from glass beads, coral and silver. To my knowledge, this style of choker is only worn in a few areas.

My mum is belly laughing here because I had asked her to smile, and she became embarrassed.

In my area women wear one braid at the back and several on either side. This style is quite different from other Tibetan areas. The disc tied to the hair is made of silver.