Road to Laya - Bhutan
171 images Created 9 Feb 2021
An unpublished story shot for National Geographic.
Laya village, inhabited by the Layap people, is Bhutan’s remotest village and the country's highest settlement (3820m). The face of the village is changing, as a road is slowly being built. For now, it still takes 2 days walk to reach the village, helped by horses and yaks. But cultural changes are palpable, social media in particular is having a big impact on relationships. The community’s dress is getting less and less, the youth prefers the “Supreme” shirts. Polyandry, a local marital practice, is getting rarer.
Additionally, over the last 10 years, the famous Cordyceps worm is found in the upper elevations near the village. Pushed by an increasing demand coming from China, it has brought much wealth to this region. And with wealth comes even more changes.
Laya village, inhabited by the Layap people, is Bhutan’s remotest village and the country's highest settlement (3820m). The face of the village is changing, as a road is slowly being built. For now, it still takes 2 days walk to reach the village, helped by horses and yaks. But cultural changes are palpable, social media in particular is having a big impact on relationships. The community’s dress is getting less and less, the youth prefers the “Supreme” shirts. Polyandry, a local marital practice, is getting rarer.
Additionally, over the last 10 years, the famous Cordyceps worm is found in the upper elevations near the village. Pushed by an increasing demand coming from China, it has brought much wealth to this region. And with wealth comes even more changes.
