Kagbeni village guardians Photo

Photographer’s Note

At the entrance to the village of Kagbeni, you can see these unusual guardian figures, moulded from clay.
These figures are constructed to guard the village from evil or hostile spirits.
There is clearly a double symbolism at work here; on the one hand the male figure with his fierce expression and armed with a knife is there in the role of the defender, while the female figure cradling her baby symbolises fertility and life. The sexual organs evident on both statues also point to the importance of fertility, both of the people, but also agricultural fertility.
In this high altitude desert landscape, only very small, carefully irrigated areas are suitable for cultivation, and the maintenance of these fertile areas is very important to the local people.
As you descend the hill towards Kagbeni from Muktinath, the green, irrigated fields near the village are an amazing sight, when set against the barrenness of their surroundings.

Unfortunately the quality of this slide wasn't the best; it was a bit over-exposed, but I tried to correct it as much as possible in photoshop. Hopefully the interesting subject makes up for the technical shortcomings.

Tomorrow we leave for another region of the Himalayas, Ladakh in northern India, so I'll be away from here for a few weeks. I look forward to catching up with you all when I get back, and of course, sharing some of the many photographs that I hope to take.
See you soon!

gelor, nicol_g, Wanda1, Budapestman, vbl, Dragonheart, vincz, banyanman, Silke, Joffre, stego, touristdidi has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

cyrrhus (2878) 2006-10-07 5:43

Hi Ben
Thanks a lot for this kind of picture which truly reconciliates me with TE!
I am also digging into old slides collections.. the essential is not the quality but what it tells us. I really feel this kind of testimony will disappear in a very near future. You're lucky to have been there and you really captured an interesting and well framed scene (maybe I would have cropped a bit tighter).
Looking forward for your next contributions.
Have a nice trip!
Eric /.

Andrzej_HHH (2558) 2006-10-07 6:00

Interesting sculptures and you also added comprehensive note. Thanks! Picture is in my opinion very good, nice composition with the man in the middle, natural colors. Good work! Andrzej

ribeiroantonio (22054) 2006-10-07 6:09

This is one of the most interesting photos I have ever seen on TE. Your note is perfect and explains all about those two statues. Sometimes, is not the technical features of the photo that is important. Most the time I am looking for things that I like and I can learn from. And this is the case. Congratulations and thanks for sharing.
Antonio

PS. Have a good trip and don't forget to fill up all the memory cards.

t0mmm1 (5434) 2006-10-07 6:37

Hi Ben,
this is nice picture full of symbols. I like it wery much also because the lady in the middle. Without her it wouldn't be so invitating to do a few steps more and go into the village. She's like the female figure made of clay... invitating, but very reserved... wonderful gestures that you've captured here.
Have a nice trip and see you soon!
Tomi

gelor (3224) 2006-10-07 8:01

Bonjour Ben,
Une image intéressante et une une note qui ne l'est pas moins. J'apprécie la mise en page et le contre jour du personnage. Bon travail !
Merci et bon week end,
Gérard

erdna (5360) 2006-10-07 13:13

This is a terrific photo and a very good write-up to supplement it. A very interesting place. TFS.

Happy trip and may you post more of this type of interesting photos.

Andre'

aralda (1240) 2006-10-07 14:36

Hi Ben,
What an interesting post, with these clay guardians! Thanks for sharing!
Have fun in Ladakh; look forward to seeing the pics!
Raluca

Wanda1 (11025) 2006-10-08 15:10

Hi Ben,
A great composition in this shot and a really interesting subject. Well photographed.
Have a great trip.
Regards
Wanda

bantonbuju (48830) 2006-10-09 3:00

hi ben,
interesting one but the first thing that came to my mind was an idea to slightly move the camera to the right and make this less symetrical image (skipping the left side of the door way); what d'you think?
on the other hand the moth statues are a sort of "must be both in the focus" things :-) and who knows, could be that the one to the left has the attribute placing it on a higher level in the hierarchy?
:-)
bw, j.

sayat (2944) 2006-10-09 6:21

Excellent picture with an informative note Dear Ben. I like a lot the composition with the villager in the middle.
Best regards,
Sayat

Budapestman (43200) 2006-10-09 12:47

Dear Ben!
This is a very intriguing and particular photo! What an interesting and suggestive statues! This is a very good observation and splendid spectacle. Superb details and expressive atmosphere. This is an excellent shot! Thank you for sharing! Nice days
George

vbl (1402) 2006-10-09 18:01

Hello Ben!
beautiful picture with a very interesting history. the quality isn't a important, the pov and your composition is very good.

Dragonheart (8393) 2006-10-09 23:21

Hi Ben,
Very interesting shot of these fertility statues. The addition of the human element in the centre make this shot. Good lights. Well composed. Informative note.
Well done
Thanks for sharing
Best regards
Vivek

everlasting (10942) 2006-10-10 0:23

Hi Ben, I wonder how long you stood there waiting for someone to pass under this old wall. The fertility statues are interesting and neccessary in this part of the world.
I fine composition despite your technical difficulties.

vincz (19071) 2006-10-10 3:43

This is a very good documentary picture. Yes there are some issues with quality, but the 2 figures are so fascinating that it does not really matter. Have a good trip!

Mikos (4324) 2006-10-10 10:14

Hi Ben

an interesting image, with a good explanation which locates us in the right context for this figures.
I also like the effect produces the presence of the man among the two figures, and the perfect light which ends the image.
Great job ;-)

Take care Ben
Miguel

banyanman (7739) 2006-10-11 11:00

Interesting photograph and note, Ben, and good to have waited until you had the woman in shot to give it scale and life. You did a good job in PS to rescue this - it doesn't look too bad quality-wise. Cheers . . . David

Silke (3023) 2006-10-11 19:03

Superb capture, great composition, wonderful colours and textures, excellent notes. TFS
Silke

chanjits (4409) 2006-10-15 19:34

nice picture with great informative note true to trek earth spirit. Thanks for sharing.

sabyasachi1212 (19546) 2006-10-27 13:14

Hi Ben,
A very unusual picture, interesting as well. Thanks for explaining in detail. This is what makes TE so special.
Thanks once again.
With Greetings from India
Sabyasachi

entrelec (8342) 2006-10-31 4:21

A very nice scene maybe a little bit too much symetric?
A nice light too.
Good day

Joel

Joffre (527) 2006-11-03 18:39

Hiya Ben, nice clear shot, great natural colours, plenty of interesting details, bold central composition, nice framing with the stone archway, interesting note, very nice capture!

Polonaise (5638) 2006-11-07 23:34

Dear Ben.
That's what TE is all about.
The pricelss, and yet free - lessons for all of us.
"Discovery channel' photograph in the best meaning of that assesment.
Stay cool, my friend.
THX

george

ryno (4627) 2006-11-27 2:42

Hi Ben, this is a good photo of an interesting-looking place. Strong light and great texture in the stone walls, and the woman is nicely framed in the entrance. Looks like a forbidding place! It's a part of the world that I still want to see. Regards,
Ryno

touristdidi (8561) 2007-03-23 3:24 [Comment]

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