Traditional Dresses of Ladakh

1. Goncha (Ladakhi dress)

Goncha is one of the traditional dresses of Ladakh, a voluminous robe that is like a coat made of many materials, including velvet, polyester, wool, cotton and multiple combinations of these. Goncha is a dress in Ladakh worn by males daily. It is usually grey, black, burgundy, and earthy.  This dress is even used during weddings, and it is bright in colour. It is also made of many materials like silk, velvet, and brocade to give it a party-wear look.  

The young men prefer wearing gotcha with lighter materials, and elders wear a dress made of wool tied around the waist using a belt made of thick fabric. On the other side, women in Ladakh wear Sulma, which is bright in colour, tied on the waist, and stitched in a way that looks like a ball gown. 

2. Kos Kar (Chang pa nomads dress)

Also known as Changpa nomads dress, it is worn by the semi-nomadic people living in high-altitude areas near the Chinese border in Tso Moriri Lake and Pangong Lake. People in these areas have different traditions and costumes and can be easily distinguished due to their thick white robe dress called Kos Kar or Lawa Goncha.  

The area here is much colder than Ladakh, and to protect them from the extreme weather,  Kos kar is worn and is made of sheep wool and skin inside out and is warm and rugged.  These nomads collect pashmina goats; the famous pashmina wool is used to make pashmina shawls. The wool collected is only used for exports as raw material to Kashmir. 

3. Yogar & Lokpa ( Traditional Cape)

These are the traditional capes worn by Ladhaki women around their shoulders so that their backs can be covered. These are made of sheepskin and are worn beautifully with wool inside to keep the women warm and protect them from cold.  

Yogar has brocade silk and cotton embroidery with rainbow tassels. Lokpa is made of sheepskin, and to give it an amazing look, it is also embroidered. Yogar is also an accessory for special occasions like festivals and marriages and is also called a bok. Not only does the dress make women beautiful, but it also helps them stay warm and acts as a cushion to carry heavy loads as well on their backs. 

4. Pabu (Ladakhi Footwear)

What made Ladakhi beautiful was their costumes and the shoes known as Pabu. These shoes are designed traditionally all with woven yak hair and wool to give warmth to the feet. On the boots, a dye technique known as Thikma has a maroon base with multicoloured surface motifs with a combination of white, black, blue, mustard, etc. The insole of Ladakhi shoes is jute, uses yak skin, and is designed with its point turned up at the toe. It is among the most beautiful footwear, keeps the feet warm, and is a fashion statement. 

5. Tipi (Hat)

It is a traditional hat counted among the most beautiful Ladakh traditional dresses, designed uniquely with upturned corners. Generally, people of the Buddhist community wear Tipi of many colours, especially during functions and special events. The hat sits atop the thinned, shows some part of the hair, and is made of brocade that gives it a fashionable look.  Men generally wear hats in monochrome or maroon colours, and women, on the other hand, wear Tipi in bright shades. 

6. Traditional broker Costume

Brokpa village is a renowned part of Ladakh and can be reached by highway to Khaltse Bridge to reach the Batakil sector. The  Brokpa tribe is different from the rest of Ladakh in many ways and is animistic regarding religious beliefs and practices. 

Their richness can be seen in their unique dresses and ornaments, as males wore wollen white dresses held at the waist over a pair of woollen trousers. On the other hand, women wear white dresses with Lokpa on their backs. Also, both genders wear beads, silver and shell jewellery every occasion. Also, they wear a flower headgear known as Montho, which is made of Month flowers and adorned with metal trinkets, coins, and peacock feathers. 

7. Gau or Kau (Ladakhi Amulet)

Known as Gau or Kau, it is a gold and silver ornament worn on the neck and considered the bride’s must-wear ornament after Perak. This Ladakhi amulet is beautifully made of many precious stones and pearls and is hexagonal or else octagonal in shape. 

For many years, it has undergone many transformations and is now available in the shape of a butterfly.  Every Ladakhi bride wears this beautiful neckpiece, also called Pema-lab-tse, and it beautifully adores its feminine characteristics.