Dress and Ornaments
Goncha, a voluminous
robe of thick woollen cloth with a colourful cummerbund tied at the waist,
is the most common Ladakhi dress; loose pyjamas, a top hat and long felt
boots complete the ensemble. Slight dress variations exist for men and
women. Buddhists mainly wear brick red robes but the nomads of Chang Thang
and the Kargil Muslims wear undyed clothes with the latter also using the
round knitted Balti cap with a rolled brim. Ladakhi women wear an attractive
headgear called perak, made of black lamb skin studded with semi precious
turquoise stones, covering the head like a cobra's hood and tapering to
a thin tail reaching down the back. For ceremonial purposes, colourful
robes in silk and brocade are worn.
Ladakhi men and women in their traditional
finery
Bejewelled girl
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