Windswept, isolated, and once at the crossroads of a great trade route, Upper Mustang gradually became lost in time, a forbidden kingdom only recently opened to the world. When AHF first visited this enclave of Tibetan culture within Nepal, the king asked for help restoring the soul of his ancient kingdom—starting with its monasteries and monastic schools.
As more than a hundred Lobas were trained in the art and science of conservation, the temples of Mustang were slowly and steadily reborn: roofs skillfully replaced, twisted structures straightened, and from the soot, grime and varnish emerged astonishingly beautiful wall paintings. Half a millennium from their creation, AHF has helped pull these priceless treasures back from the brink. And as gompas came back to life, revealing their beauty and splendor, the Loba community began to take pride in their heritage, becoming the foundation of a thriving cultural renaissance.
This is a selection of photographs taken in a time span of more than two decades. It is a way to honor and thank the local people of Mustang involved in the conservation of their own cultural heritage. It is a homage to the resilience of those people who lived a split life for such a long time: farmers and housekeepers on one side. Restorers and painters on the other.
