August 16, 2025
THE YAK IN SUMMER
Towards the end of June or the beginning of July, Ritoma nomads start to migrate to their first summer pasture. In collaboration with the village council, Ritoma has divided their common grazing land into designated areas for different seasons, ensuring that all animals receive a fair share of the available grassland.
The summer pasture, which has been left free of animals and allowed to regenerate since the beginning of spring, is divided into two sections: early summer and later summer. The latter, known as Chakka, is located about 20 kilometers away and is the furthest from Ritoma village.
Families typically begin to move to this pasture, along with their animals, tents, and belongings, in mid-summer and stay until the end of August, depending on the abundance of grass. In a good year, the animals can graze until the beginning of September.
The summer pasture, which has been left free of animals and allowed to regenerate since the beginning of spring, is divided into two sections: early summer and later summer. The latter, known as Chakka, is located about 20 kilometers away and is the furthest from Ritoma village.
Families typically begin to move to this pasture, along with their animals, tents, and belongings, in mid-summer and stay until the end of August, depending on the abundance of grass. In a good year, the animals can graze until the beginning of September.
During mid-summer, the yaks start to lose their khullu, the soft undercoat that keeps them warm in winter. This inner layer is used by Norlha to weave shawls and fabrics.
Summer is the busiest time for the nomads and the best season for the yaks, as they graze on a rich variety of pasture plants, including numerous medicinal herbs. Consuming these plants gives their milk special properties, and the animals' dung helps regenerate the grassland for the next growth cycle.
At this time, the calves are big enough to roam in playful groups, returning to their mothers for milk. After the dris (female yaks) are brought in from pasture and tethered in the evening, about half of the milk is left for the nomads to collect. If milk is plentiful, it can be collected twice a day. Milking is traditionally women's work, while herding the animals to pasture is men's responsibility. The collected milk is transformed into butter and yogurt, and the whey is used to make a granular cheese, which is dried on yak and sheepwool blankets. This cheese is then stored and used throughout the year, often mixed with tsampa.
Summer is the busiest time for the nomads and the best season for the yaks, as they graze on a rich variety of pasture plants, including numerous medicinal herbs. Consuming these plants gives their milk special properties, and the animals' dung helps regenerate the grassland for the next growth cycle.
At this time, the calves are big enough to roam in playful groups, returning to their mothers for milk. After the dris (female yaks) are brought in from pasture and tethered in the evening, about half of the milk is left for the nomads to collect. If milk is plentiful, it can be collected twice a day. Milking is traditionally women's work, while herding the animals to pasture is men's responsibility. The collected milk is transformed into butter and yogurt, and the whey is used to make a granular cheese, which is dried on yak and sheepwool blankets. This cheese is then stored and used throughout the year, often mixed with tsampa.
Though summer is the best season, with warm weather and abundant wild flowers, it is also the most important and work intensive for pastoral families. Abundant grassland and successful summer grazing will give the animals the strength needed to get through the coming winter.
