This extremely valuable collection of texts in the Lahu language represents the language and culture in the 1960’s, a time when the heritage language and culture were still vibrant and not yet globalized, hence the title Window on a Vanished World. It is also one of the largest collections of texts in any Tibeto-Burman language. The texts are available as a book and online with the audio (originally from 1960’s magnetic tape). This is a massive achievement for all involved in the recording, conversion, and editing.

In this enlightening discussion, Prof. Tadeusz Slupski of Poland, a visitor to Zangskar since November 1977, discusses the cultural shifts over the decades with a couple from Sani village. Slupski narrates the socio-cultural transformations he witnessed since his initial visit and invites the couple to expand on these changes from their firsthand experiences. They discuss the nuances of the architectural evolution of Zangskari houses, delving into traditional heating and lighting methods, recalling cherished olden poems, songs, and dances—emphasizing the "chham" (Chham) dance and costumes, and reminisce about traditional weddings marked by horseback marriage processions. Dr. Jamphel Sheyan, Assistant Professor of English at GMDC, skillfully interprets the conversation, bridging Zangskari and English. Recorded in Sani village, Ladakh Union Territory, India.

In this insightful discussion, Gyafo (King) Phuntsok Dawa, the King of Padum, answers the questions raised on Zangskar and its history by Dr. Tadeusz Slupski, a regular visitor to Zangskar since 1977. Gyafo Dawa delves into the rich heritage of his lineage and the Zangskari royal family. He recounts the pivotal moment in June 1948 when Zangskar faced invasion from Pakistani forces, prompting his father and the entire family, accompanied by Kushok Bakula Rimpoche, to seek refuge in Himachal Pradesh. Dr. Slupski further inquires about the demographics of Zangskar, leading the discussion towards the significant societal and cultural changes Zangskar has experienced over the past four and a half decades, since he first visited. Recorded in Old Padum village, Ladakh Union Territory, India.

Tashi Dorji and Dorji Phuntsho discuss the different rituals performed in Dukti village related to Ladam involving restricting both locals and outsiders from visiting the mountain Tshong Tshongma between plantation and harvesting of crops. The entry to Tshong Tshongma closes on the 10th day of the third month of the Tibetan calendar. If someone does enter this area during the restricted months, it brings heavy rain, winds, and landslides to the area. Time-aligned translation into English.

Tashi Dorji and Dorji Phuntsho discuss rituals involving animal sacrifice in Dukti village. In the past, it was customary for every household to raise a pig to be killed for ritual purposes. They say that now, over a decade later, they have stopped raising pigs for sacrifice. Time-aligned translation into English.

Tashi Dorji and Dorji Phuntsho discuss rituals involving animal sacrifice in Dukti village. In the past, it was customary for every household to raise a pig to be killed for ritual purposes. They say that now, over a decade later, they have stopped raising pigs for sacrifice. Time-aligned translation into English.

Tshong Tshongma is a sacred mountain and a local deity in Eastern Bhutan. Over 4000 meters in elevation, it is accessible only four months per year due to local customs. Mr. Lama Tshering describes how Tshong Tshongma got its current palace after being deceived by Samye Paygi Gyelpo when Guru Rinpoche called all the deities to the allocated respective palace. Time-aligned translation into English.

Tshong Tshongma is a sacred mountain and a local deity in Eastern Bhutan. Over 4000 meters in elevation, it is accessible only four months per year due to local customs. Mr. Lama Tshering describes how Tshong Tshongma got its current palace after being deceived by Samye Paygi Gyelpo when Guru Rinpoche called all the deities to the allocated respective palace. Time-aligned translation into English.

Tshong Tshongma is a sacred mountain and a local deity in Eastern Bhutan. Over 4000 meters in elevation, it is accessible only four months per year due to local customs. Mr. Lama Tshering describes how Tshong Tshongma got its current palace after being deceived by Samye Paygi Gyelpo when Guru Rinpoche called all the deities to the allocated respective palace. Time-aligned translation into English.

Tshong Tshongma is a sacred mountain and a local deity in Eastern Bhutan. Over 4000 meters in elevation, it is accessible only four months per year due to local customs. Mr. Lama Tshering describes how Tshong Tshongma got its current palace after being deceived by Samye Paygi Gyelpo when Guru Rinpoche called all the deities to the allocated respective palace. Time-aligned translation into English.

View of rice paddies from Rolam Mazhing toward Thragom village. It is known as Mazhing 'main', meaning it is the main paddy for Rolam village. Conversations among the villagers and children can be heard in the background.

Mrs. Humchung is one of the oldest people living in Thragom village. She describes how to prepare ponpo curry using lichen and demonstrates how to thoroughly wash the dirt from the lichen. She also shares memories of eating ponpo curry and collecting dry lichen while gathering firewood during childhood. Time-aligned translation into English.

Mrs. Humchung is one of the oldest people living in Thragom village. She describes how to prepare ponpo curry using lichen, demonstrating the process of steaming the lichen with ash before cooking. She explains that people in Thragom village consume ponpo curry once a year to wash away any dirt or hair inside the body. Time-aligned translation into English.

Mrs. Humchung is one of the oldest people living in Thragom village. She describes how to prepare ponpo curry with lichen, chili powder, garlic, black pepper, oil, and salt. After the lichen is thoroughly steamed and washed, the curry is ready in 5 minutes. She says the lichen can be directly consumed with chili paste (without steaming). Time-aligned translation into English.

Abraham, Longdi, and Rilung Modi make adu payek tiffins to take while going to harvest the fern tree (Tatchi) near Peki Modi village in Upper Siang District of Arunachal Pradesh. Time-aligned transcription and translation into English.

Abraham, Longdi, and Rilung Modi discuss rituals on the way to harvest the fern tree (Tatchi) near Peki Modi village in Upper Siang District of Arunachal Pradesh. They describe luukan, used to prevent illness in livestock and meen, used for protection from flies. Time-aligned transcription and translation into English.

Abraham, Longdi, and Rilung Modi discuss how banana leaves are used on the way to harvest the fern tree (Tatchi) near Peki Modi village in Upper Siang District of Arunachal Pradesh. Longdi Modi cuts wild banana leaves (homenborgohainiina/Musa aurantiaca) for the fern tree harvest and describes which wild banana leaves are best for this purpose. They arrive at Saage, the destination for harvesting the fern tree, approximately 7 km outside Peki Modi village. Time-aligned transcription and translation into English.

Abraham, Longdi, and Rilung Modi discuss the fern tree (Tatchi) harvest near Peki Modi village in Upper Siang District of Arunachal Pradesh. While preparing for the harvest, they describe how to tell when fern trees are ready for harvest based on smell, appearance, and the season. Time-aligned transcription and translation into English.

Abraham, Longdi, and Rilung Modi discuss the fern tree (Tatchi) harvest near Peki Modi village in Upper Siang District of Arunachal Pradesh. Longdi Modi and Abraham Modi remove the bark and the hard part of fern tree (Chiyu yuuma), and Longdi Modi cuts off the top portion of fern tree. He explains that this part is now not good for consumption. Time-aligned transcription and translation into English.

Abraham, Longdi, and Rilung Modi discuss the fern tree (Tatchi) harvest near Peki Modi village in Upper Siang District of Arunachal Pradesh. Longdi Modi and Abraham Modi continue to remove the bark and also the outer part of fern tree while Rilung Modi records. Time-aligned transcription and translation into English.

Abraham, Longdi, and Rilung Modi discuss the fern tree (Tatchi) harvest near Peki Modi village in Upper Siang District of Arunachal Pradesh. Longdi Modi and Abraham Modi complete the process of removing the bark and outer cover of the fern tree. Longdi Modi lays out the wild banana leaves which Abraham Modi cut earlier. They cut the fern tree into smaller pieces in preparation for the next step. Time-aligned transcription and translation into English.

Abraham, Longdi, and Rilung Modi discuss the fern tree (Tatchi) harvest near Peki Modi village in Upper Siang District of Arunachal Pradesh. While Longdi Modi thwacks the fern tree into very small pieces, they describe the area where they found this fern tree, and how to determine suitable topography for growing and harvesting them. They mention the quality of fern trees, comparing a lower quality where the delicate part is harder (chisap) and a higher quality where the delicate part of fern tree is softer (chiingin). Time-aligned transcription and translation into English.

Abraham, Longdi, and Rilung Modi discuss the fern tree (Tatchi) harvest near Peki Modi village in Upper Siang District of Arunachal Pradesh. They complete the process of thwacking and begin mixing the thwacked fern tree, making holes in the base so that the water will not stagnate. After that, the mixture is covered by the leaf of Sago tree to keep it clean and to protect from decay or damage. Longdi Modi, an expert in harvesting fern trees, explains that it takes a week until the mixture is fully ready for human consumption. Time-aligned transcription and translation into English.

Abraham, Longdi, and Rilung Modi discuss the fern tree (Tatchi) harvest near Peki Modi village in Upper Siang District of Arunachal Pradesh. After the fern tree mixture has been kept covered by the leaf of Sago tree for a week, they return to collect the mixture. Longdi Modi selects the best portion of the mixture and puts it into the local basket for a male known as Tali. Time-aligned transcription and translation into English.