The Buffalo and the Yak
Bhutan is a land of diverse cultures, traditions, beliefs, and a pristine natural environment. In this small Himalayan country, the origins, social importance, the spiritual, symbolic, and ontological position of yaks and herders in Bhutan and the surrounding highlands are variably explained through myths, stories, and beliefs that shape the way people behave and think. (Photo source: Author, Decorated yak in Laya festival, 2017) The folktale of the yak and the buffalo is one that practically all Bhutanese are acquainted with. People are moved to tears by a story as old as time itself. It's the story of deception, betrayal, heartbreak, and the curse of two best friends. The story is about why yaks are hairy, and buffalos lift their head to stare into the distance. When animals could converse, two friends, a yak, and a buffalo lived alongside. They would luxuriate in the warmth of the southern plains. One day, the yak told the buffal...