Changthang, a vast and hauntingly beautiful plateau in eastern Ladakh, is home to the Changpas — the “People of the North.” Among them, the Changpas of Korzok Tegazung form one of the largest nomadic communities, moving with their herds of yaks, sheep, and the prized pashmina goats across the high-altitude pastures. Their world centres on Korzok village, rising 4,600 metres above sea level beside the luminous Tso Moriri lake, where the Buddhist monastery of Drupgud Tandar Chosling stands as a spiritual anchor for the Changpas through their brief summer halt in Korzok.
For centuries, the Changpas have practised a unique nomadic pastoral way of life, living in harmony with their natural surroundings. But in recent times, climate change has begun to alter their world in ways that threaten this ancient way of life. Compounding these challenges, younger generations migrate to urban centres, leaving elders to tend herds and sustain their cultural legacy inherited from their ancestors. With only a few hundred families continuing the nomadic life, the future of Changthang hangs in delicate balance.
Nomads Under the Stars is an intimate twelve year journey into the heart of Changthang, created in a close collaboration between the community and Jungwa Foundation — witnessing how its people navigate a world in flux. Beneath the seeming hardship of life on the plateau lies an extraordinary depth of traditional knowledge, spiritual wealth, and a profound philosophy of coexistence that continues to guide their lives and shape their culture. As elders share stories of endurance, loss, and faith, the film captures a poignant portrait of a community confronting change while holding on to the wisdom of the past.
For those far removed from the highlands of Ladakh, the Changpas offer a quiet yet powerful reminder — that home need not be defined by walls, but by our bond with the land, our shared humanity, and the enduring beauty of a life lived under the stars.
