Aman Chotani / mediadrumimages.com

By Mark McConville

 

INCREDIBLE images have revealed the remaining members of the Drokpas tribes, also known as the Aryans of the Himalayas who traditionally engage in wife swapping as part of their ancient culture.

Aman Chotani / mediadrumimages.com

 

Stunning portrait shots show both men and women in traditional headdress with a multicoloured covering topped with flowers.

Aman Chotani / mediadrumimages.com

 

Other striking pictures show groups of women in traditional dress, an elderly woman gazing into the camera and happy men lighting a fire.

Aman Chotani / mediadrumimages.com

 

TheĀ DrokpasĀ are a specific tribe residing in India who some say could be an ancient Aryan tribe, who still use the ancientĀ SanskritĀ Swastika symbol, which the Nazis corrupted in modern times for propaganda purposes. Drok-Pa, meaning ā€˜white skinnedā€™ in Ladakhi, is a tribe abundant with nearly 3,000 people situated into three to seven tribes along the Indus River.

Aman Chotani / mediadrumimages.com

 

The remarkable photographs form part of Indian photographer Aman Chotaniā€™s project, The Last Avatar, a book documenting Indian tribes and culture before they vanish forever.

Aman Chotani / mediadrumimages.com

 

ā€œIn theory, theĀ DrokpasĀ ā€“ in their originality ā€“ were a group of long-lost soldiers from Alexander the Greatā€™s army,ā€ he said.

Aman Chotani / mediadrumimages.com

 

ā€œOne leading theory about the originalĀ DrokpasĀ is their usage of the Sanskrit Swastika, concluding that Hitler adapted the symbol and modernized the swastika for his own political gain and propaganda.

Aman Chotani / mediadrumimages.com

 

ā€œThis single piece of suggestive evidence encouraged Germans to widely accept Indo-Aryans as their ancient ancestors.

Aman Chotani / mediadrumimages.com

 

ā€œTheĀ DrokpasĀ live life a bit easier and freer than most surviving tribes in todayā€™s age. For survival purposes, they are commonly known as agrarian farmers that plant fruits and vegetables in rich gardens that they pride themselves in.

Aman Chotani / mediadrumimages.com

 

ā€œThese gardens must be tended well and often since the produce that erupts from the soil and blossoms from trees is the equivalent of money. TheĀ DrokpasĀ sell their sweet and crisp produce since itā€™s their main source of income and pride.ā€

Aman Chotani / mediadrumimages.com

 

Like many tribes, fashion plays a very large and significant role in the Drokpa community. The males predominantly wear wool trousers and wool dresses; whereas the women adorn themselves with woollen dresses that they accessorize with intricate hand-made silver jewellery, beads, seashells, flowers, feathers, and goatskin capes.

Aman Chotani / mediadrumimages.com

 

ā€œThis is all in an effort of attracting a mate and identifying themselves enough to be seen and chosen by a suitor,ā€ explained Chotani.

Aman Chotani / mediadrumimages.com

 

ā€œHowever, theĀ DrokpasĀ donā€™t share or follow societal norms. Public displays of affection are normal and encouraged in the Drokpa community; as was the concept of wife swapping. Wife swapping and public affection display were essentially banned by authoritative figures that didnā€™t believe that the behaviors of the Drokpa people were civilized.

Aman Chotani / mediadrumimages.com

 

ā€œBecause of this, the Drokpa communities have stopped with their public displays when outsiders were around, but resumed their passionate nature when prying judgmental eyes leave.

 

ā€œAll in all, theĀ DrokpasĀ are a people who envelope the freedom to do as they please all while enjoying music and dancing in festivals just as much as they enjoy their brilliantly colored ornaments and each otherā€™s presence.ā€

Aman Chotani / mediadrumimages.com

 

Chotani has started a crowdfunding page for his upcoming book to help him complete his photographic journey. He has so far raised Ā£1042 of his target of around Ā£6,000.

 

For more information seeĀ https://www.ketto.org/thelastavatar