Yaks in Sonak village

For Tibetan nomads, herding is the most important and constant task. Nomads move from pasture to pasture to find better grazing areas. Better grazing land means better milk production, which in turn means more and better-quality butter, healthier and stronger herds, better meat for the family, better prices for the yak and sheep, and more dependable transportation when moving camps.

A Tibetan nomad family’s life revolves around herding practices, which often contribute to accumulation of wealth, social standing, and perception of one’s work ethic. In other words, herding takes center stage in a nomadic family’s livelihood. In the Tibetan language, the most important animal among the herds—the yak—is synonymous with the words for “wealth” or “precious things” (nor).

ID: TNP_2016_05-15_PUH_0054