Upper Mustang

Mustang ( also Mustan ) was formerly an independent Buddhist kingdom in the Himalayas. It now belongs to Nepal and forms the northern part of the Nepalese district of Mustang. The name is Nepalese origin. In the local language, the country Lo ( south) is called.

Geography and climate

Mustang is located between the districts of Nepal Dolpo, Myagdi and Manang and bordering Tibet. The area is 2563 km ² and is located north of the Annapurna range to over 2,500 meters in height. It is due to its location in the rain shadow of the surrounding mountains climatically dry. The annual rainfall is around 250-400 mm.

The country is marked by the Kali Gandaki River, whose valley and its tributaries. The river runs from northeast to southwest direction Nepal Terai and shares through the territory. The river was once the main trade route between Tibet and India, especially for salt. The river valley runs through Thak Khola, the deepest gorge in the world. The traditional capital of the kingdom is Lo Manthang. Administrative seat of the entire district is Jomosom, which has an airfield since 1962 and has developed into Haupttourismusort since the opening of the district.

The entire area Mustangs is under special state protection. Since 1992, Lo Manthang is one of the seven unit conservation offices in the Annapurna Conservation Area Project ( ACAP ), the oldest and largest conservation area in Nepal. The project aims to promote the conservation and at the same time improve the situation of the population, and it sets different priorities in each region. In Mustang especially the controlled tourism is developed, protected cultural heritage and alternative energies are promoted. In the population ACAP is not without controversy; Criticism is especially practiced in the sluggish bureaucratic decision-making, there are also allegations of nepotism.

History

Mustang was once an independent kingdom, founded in 1400 by the legendary warrior Ame Pal. Through language and culture, it was closely linked to Tibet. At the end of the 18th century the kingdom was annexed by Nepal, however, remained until the mid-20th century, a domestically autonomous territory within the Nepalese state. After the occupation of Tibet by China and the collapse of trade routes, the country lost its independence in a completely and has since been incorporated as the northern part of the district of Mustang in the administrative structure of Nepal. The monarchy survived until the summer of 2008 as the Kingdom of Lo continues, but the current Nepalese government has dissolved the tradition of the Rajas in Nepal. The former Raja or king ( in the local language Gyelpo ) Jigme Bista Palbar leads his lineage traditionally back in 25th generation of the empire builders Ame Pal. He still enjoys a high reputation in the population. Despite the withdrawal of his Raja title he intends to remain as a private person for the benefit of the people of Lo active.

Until 1974, Tibetan resistance fighters held on the Mustang. The area was therefore locked for travelers. The southern part of the district was not allowed to enter, with few exceptions until the 1970s, the Kingdom of Lo to 1992. Even today a permit is still required for the visit of the former kingdom.

Population

The name for the inhabitants of the land of Lo is Lopa. You are close to the Tibetans in culture, language and religion. The Lowa or Lopa said language is a dialect of Tibetan. It is spoken by 7,500 people. Even more Tibetan dialects, and Nepali are in use.

The population of about 6,000 inhabitants living in 32 settlements. The majority live near the river Kali Gandaki. However, the harsh because of the high altitude conditions have a seasonal migration of the population in the lower regions of Nepal result.

Religion

The people of Mustang are Buddhists. The predominant Tibetan Buddhist schools, the Nyingma and Sakya school. The country has a very old Buddhist tradition. 2000 years ago, the first meditation center ( Tib. Gompa ) was founded. The subsequent flow reached Buddhist Mustang with the great Indian Buddhist master Padmasambhava in the 8th century. He founded the Nyingma school. A little later, in the 11th century, the transmission of the Sakya school came to Mustang. The former King Jigme Bista Palbar is regarded as an emanation of the Bodhisattva Manjushri.

Generally have left more and more lamas and monks Mustang over the centuries. Nowadays, there are again more inhabited monasteries, for example in Geling, Tsarang, Lo Manthang and Namgyal. During the renovation of the monasteries, the population was actively under the guidance of Italian restorers with a semi-skilled painter.

As elsewhere in the Buddhist dominated parts of the Himalayas write the Lopas their wishes for the ultimate happiness and welfare of all beings on colored prayer flags that represent the five Buddha families and are supported with the wind in the world.

Economy

Traditionally referred Mustang most of its income from the salt trade on the transit route between China and India, which runs in the valley of the Kali Gandaki. After the occupation of Tibet by China, the trade routes collapsed, and the standard of living decreased continuously. The main economic activities are agriculture, since the 1990s, is added tourism. In winter, however, 50 % of the population migrate in search of employment opportunities in the south.

The agriculture is dependent because of the drought on irrigation systems. Crops grown buckwheat and barley, in climatically favorable regions are added vegetables and fruit. The growing season lasts from May to September. Five months of the year the ground is, however, covered by snow. In the south, two, only one harvest per year are introduced in the north. Livestock farming has declined sharply since the farmers can no longer drive to the fertile pastures beyond the Tibetan border their flocks. The main breeds are the yaks, water buffalo, sheep and goats.

From Lo Manthang to Tibet is connected by road since 2001. The sequel to the south is to be completed by 2009, so that Nepal will be motorized accessible. The road significantly changed economic conditions. The prices of imported goods such as fuel and rice have fallen sharply, the dependence on food imports increased.