Reports of “pregnancy tourism” in Ladakh are isolated cases, not a widespread trend.
The Brokpa community, labelled as the “last Aryans,” attracts global curiosity.
The idea of pure Aryan blood, showing centuries of migration and mixing.
An unusual story has taken root in the high-altitude peace of Ladakh, nestled in the folds of mountains and shimmering rivers. It is the story of foreign women travelling from around the world to conceive children with the Ladakhi men of the Brokpa community, who are often referred to as the “last Aryans.” The story has made people curious, making quick rounds on social media rather than in reality.
The concept sounds like something out of a screenplay for a movie. The term “pregnancy tourism” has been carved out into headlines, where foreigners travel in search of Aryan genes, hoping for their babies to be born with lighter eyes, fairer skin, sharp features and taller frames. The tale, layered with rumours, exaggeration and folklore, has captured the world, though the reality is more complex and less dramatic.
Reports suggest that there are some truths to the claim of this “pregnancy tourism” in Ladakh. Brokpa villages such as Dah, Hanu, Darchik and Garkon have indeed seen a few foreign women who actually sought relationships with local men, sometimes even offering to pay for the same. Local people talk about such encounters, and some studies have even documented such cases.
However, this does not signify the presence of a well-organised “pregnancy tourism industry.” It has been found that this is not a common occurrence, nor is it institutionalized. These are scattered narratives in the valleys, exaggerated by folklore, repeated by curious travellers and blown out by social media’s hunger for the unusual.
It is said that the Brokpa people are the descendants of the soldiers who marched with Alexander the Great, which makes them the last surviving carriers of pure Aryan blood. The narration serves as a blend of fact and myth, heightened by the look and lifestyle of the Brokpa people. The community differs from neighbouring communities with their distinctive attire, festivals and lighter features, making them stand out to outsiders.
The combination is quite alluring for tourists. Some are curious, while others eye the distinctive traits for their own offspring. When such motives combine with a community viewed as the last “Pure Blood Aryans,” it results in a fusion of fascination and gossip.
It is important that one knows the origin of the Aryans to understand the obsession with Aryan babies. The word “Aryan” means “noble” in Sanskrit and was never intended to refer to a biological race. It was associated with the Indo-European languages rather than a sign of purity or bloodline.
The term was twisted in the 19th and 20th centuries by Europeans and Nazis to invent hierarchies of race and weaponise it in the most brutal way. Scientific studies have shown that there are no communities that are “pure Aryans,” as genetics has revealed thousands of years of mixing and migration with Central Asia, South Asia and Europe that resulted in such traits. So, the idea of “Aryan babies” is more a concept born out of colonial imagination, legends and the modern chase for a “superior” race.
This global curiosity has proven to be both good and bad for the community, serving as a double-edged sword. It has boosted tourism, bringing in more economic opportunities and opening the road for travellers to witness their unique culture, costumes and festivals. On the other hand, the centuries of history of the community have been reduced to them being objects of curiosity as “last Aryans”.
Pregnancy tourism in Ladakh consists of a few isolated and anecdotal cases, with minor interactions growing into a global curiosity and outsiders’ fascination with race, fuelled by social media. However, it is important to respect the people of the Brokpa community as humans and not just some exotic spectacles
Pregnancy tourism in Ladakh showcases the global obsession with race and appearance that continues to echo in unexpected corners of the world. The challenge now lies in the way these stories are presented as Ladakh opens up to the world. It is important for tourists to appreciate the community’s rich traditions and the songs that echo through the valleys, along with their unique heritage. [Rh/SY]
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