The Balti Culture: An Ethnographic Study in Turtuk of Union Territory of Ladakh

Name of Author : Nargis Khatoon

Abstract: Balti is a tribe originally belongs to the area of Baltistan (the Northernmost area of India which was illegally occupied by Pakistan in 1948). But many of the population of Balti tribe are living in Indian territory of Ladakh, those people either could not reach their home (Baltistan) or they preferred to stay back in India. Simultaneously, the history of Turtuk area of Ladakh is different. The area of Turtuk was recaptured by the Indian Armies in 1971 from the area of the then Pakistan occupied Jammu and Kashmir (POJK). Turtuk was a part of Gilgit-Baltistan region. Currently, the area of Turtuk is the last outpost area of North India that stretches a boundary of Line of Control between India and Pakistan occupied area of Gilgit-Baltistan. Turtuk being a chunk of Baltistan, represents the cultural essence of Balti tribe. Moreover, the Balti tribe is culturally rich and the tribe has an abundance history as well. The tribe has unique folk culture, custom, rituals, beliefs, costume and has entirely different language. Whereas, in Ladakh there are many tribes residing over there, but the Balti has a glorified culture which nowadays is dominating over the culture of other tribes in Ladakh region. This research intends to highlight the material culture of Balti tribe of Turtuk of Ladakh. To collect the information an ethnographic research was conducted in Turtuk. The researcher directly observed the day to day life style of Balti tribe in its natural surroundings. Non-participant observation method was used to study the folk culture of Balti tribe in Trutuk. In this research paper folklore is synonymously used as culture.

Keywords : Tribe, Balti, Ladakh, Culture and Folklore

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