By Editor To be honest, if you go by the popular opinion, Ladakh quite literally is one of the most stunning regions of the country. Not a single doubt in that. And it is not just the breathtaking landscapes that catch your eye, nah, the culture up there is also stunning and super interesting. And when you’re in Ladakh, you’ll know it right away just by looking at the way people dress in this part of India. On that very note, we want to talk about the Traditional Dress of Ladakh, and yes, for men and women. Let’s get going then.
Traditional Dress for Men in Ladakh
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1. Goncha (Kos / Gos)
Not a single doubt in the fact that the most important clothing for Ladakhi men is the Goncha, which is also known as Kos or Gos. A long robe made of heavy wool is very much a garment of cold weather. Just so you know, the Goncha is the ideal outer wrap for warmth in the frigid region of Ladakh. After wrapping it around their body, the belt called Skeyraks, which is a wide and colourful one, is used by men to keep it fastened and all comfortable.
2. Everyday vs. Special Occasion Gonchas
- Everyday Goncha: Usually in plain colours like grey, black, brown, or maroon.
- Festival/Wedding Goncha: These ones are usually made from brocade, velvet, or silk, often sourced from Nepal or Bhutan. These look richer and indicate an important occasion, you know?
3. Kos Kar / Lawa Goncha (Changpa Nomads)
Changpa nomads of Changthang have a unique white iteration known as Kos Kar or Lawa Goncha, and you’ll find it unique once you see one. It is a sheepskin leather with the hair side inside. With this one, it’s all about long-lasting and heat-retaining, no decorative elements.
4. Tipi / Tibi (Men’s Headgear)
Generally, a man would put on a Tipi or Tibi, which is a hat made of velvet or brocade. Plain and simple! For most parts, the colour of the hat is a dark red, but in areas like Zanskar, a flashy colour like yellow will give you an idea of what locality the person is from.
5. Pabu (Men’s Traditional Footwear)
And then, well, the native shoe, Pabu, uses materials such as yak hair, wool, and leather. The curled-up toe is not just for looks but is actually of help while walking on snow or rocky paths, so yes, it is super practical.
Traditional Dress for Women in Ladakh
1. Sulma (Women’s Main Robe)
The main or super common clothing item for women is the Sulma, a lengthy robe that is somewhat flared from the waist. The daily ones are usually of wool, and the more ornate ones for festivals are of brocade or silk. And this is worn with a combination of a blouse known as Tilin.
2. Yogar / Lokpa (Sheepskin Cape)
As a means to hold the heat they put on, quite a few females cover themselves with a sheepskin cape known as a Yogar or Lokpa. It is a must in Ladakh. The cape is made of fur on the inside and is, at times, a decorative brocade on the outside.
3. Perak (Famous Ladakhi Headgear)
The main point of the women’s traditional dress is definitely the Perak, which is a single long headdress decorated with turquoise stones that goes from the front of the head to the back. And just so you know, the Perak is capable of holding several hundred turquoise stones as well as coral and silver. Most of the time, it is a family item that is inherited from mother to daughter, just like many other cultures in the country.
Jugin (Muslim Women’s Headpiece)
And surely, in the Muslim communities of Ladakh, women have a different headdress known as Jugin, which often is ornamented with gold and pearls.
Regional Caps
In various areas, the caps you see will be different, like in Zanskar, you can spot the yellow felt caps while the Brokpa women are wearing the flower-decorated Tepi.
4. Jewellery
- Gau / Kau: This one is more like a traditional amulet box made of gold or silver and usually is filled with turquoise and coral.
- Pema-labtse: And this one actually is a modern butterfly-shaped ornament that pairs beautifully with the Sulma and is lighter to wear.