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Originally Buddhism was spread out all over India, yet over the centuries, it gradually began to disappear throughout the continent. Its heritage remained preserved only in a few distant regions of the Himalayas, such as in Assam Zanskar, Ladakh and Spiti. Spiti is a poor valley surrounded by the high Himalayan peaks, whose inhabitants consistently endeavor in guarding their cultural inheritance.
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Severe economic difficultiesa exacerbated by the Chinese Government's disruption of the wool trade, lead men to migrate in search of employment in the bigger cities of India. Left behind, the women provide all means of subsistence and household care. Their sense of community reflects the traditional values of the Buddhist culture, deep-seated in the valley for thousands of years. "Metta" (loving and kindness), community care has been the core activity of women in Spiti for centuries. The landlocked valley is completely isolated during the long eight winter months. Meditation is the only distraction from the ice cold weather that reigns outside of the houses, granting some relief from the harshness of everyday life.
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The Chinese borders have been shut down and hinder access to the heart of the Buddhist culture, which is Tibet. The total extinction of their culture is now becoming a threatening reality more than ever. Women must upgrade their social and educational status, to be more fully aware of these changes. This would enable them to safeguard their native culture and fight back the dissolution of their community identity.
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