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 buffalo about Tibet, the world's roof and home of Buddhism, and the world's most famous and delicious salt. The yak desperately wanted to taste the delightful salt, but he couldn't since Tibet was too cold, and he had to trek for days to reach the highland slopes. Buffalo, who was yak's friend, wanted to help his good friend, so he lent his fur to him. They agreed that the yak would bring back delicious salt from the highlands. However, after tasting the delicious salt and fresh grass of the highlands, the yak was so allured that he chose to stay forever, abandoning his dear companion. The buffalo waited for his return in the lowland.

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The folktale concludes that this explains why buffalos have little hair on their bodies, why yaks live in the highlands and buffalo in the lowlands, and why buffalos raise their heads to gaze into the distance, from where they still expect the yak to appear, carrying salt from Tibet. This folktale has various variants, including one that uses butter instead of salt. It is said that the species' creators were so enraged by this act of defying nature that they were cursed so if the yak and buffalo ever met, they would kill each other. That is why buffalo remain in the lowlands and are unable to travel to the highlands, and yaks are unable to come to the lowland. This dispute will never be resolved, and even if they were friends, the curse would prevent them from ever meeting again.

(Photo source: Author, Snow-capped mountains in the highland)