Zhangsong! Thank you to the People of Spiti!

Dr. Orton’s radio documentary, Mountain Spirits of Spiti, is now out on the BBC World Service! In this post, Dr. Orton says “Zhangsong” (“Thank you!”) to the people who made the documentary possible. You will also learn about the traditional music we used.

First of all, thank you so much to the translators and interpreters I’ve worked with over the last eleven years: Tenzin Norbu, Gormet Kalzang, Sonam Yishey, Tashi Dorje, Sonam Norbu and Kesang Chhodon!

Secondly, thank you to Sonam Yangzam, who was our local correspondent. Sonam is from Pin Valley and has her own blog (click the link to read Sonam's blog) in which she reflects on and records oral narratives. Due to visa restrictions, Sonam did the in-country recordings after the documentary was commissioned—but she was also invaluable as a source of local knowledge and collaboration with the community!

In the documentary, many local people shared their expertise and narratives: Lama Tashi Namgyal, Phunchok Namgyal, Dorje Namgyal, Chopel Tandup, Chetup Zangmo, Dolma Butith, Sonam Palsam, Lobzang Chopel, Lobzang Dolma, Gathuk and Kalzang Tsering. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and stories!

And of course, with thanks to Whistledown Productions (in particular Sasha Edye-Lindner, Jill Achineku and Robert Nicholson) with whom I collaborated on the documentary.

The Music of Spiti

Another thank you goes to the amazing performers who contributed music to the documentary.

Devi Dekit of Sagnam village performed the gyalshung, a long story, usually of a war between good and evil, told by song. It used to be the case that, in Spiti’s harsh winters, when everyone was snowed in, the evening’s entertainment would be gyalshung or namthar (long religious stories). Very few people know them now.

Tashi Dolma of Chicham village performed the Monastery Song, about building a monastery, which details the different parts of the monastery over several phases. The song begins with foundations: the corners of the stones, says the song, are sharp and straight; the floors are made and polished, then the decorations are added. Lord Buddha is inside wearing a special cap for the gods. He is saying “mane” (the mantra). In his right hand is a very beautiful bell which has a melodious sound. In his left hand is an instrument like a drum. He is wearing red clothing like monks wear.

Yang Chen Dolma of Kibber village performed the Peacock Song (“Cha Cha”): Peacocks are not endemic to Spiti, but there is always a peacock on the gates on the archways of the region. The peacock is asked, Bird, where have you come from? Why is your head so different? Why are your eyes, your shoulders, your wings as they are? The bird replies, they are not so different. I got them from nature, like you and everything else. 

 

The documentary will be broadcast on the 25^th September 2026. Click the link to listen to Mountain Spirits of Spiti!

In our next post, read more stories from Spiti that informed the documentary!

Find Out More

To learn more about Dr. Orton’s research in the Himalayas, click the link to read her blog posts in our People and wildlife in South Asia series! Dr. Orton has posts on the snow leopards of Spiti, legends of Spiti’s hidden lands, and Spiti’s history in the Tibetan Empire.

Also, don’t visit Spiti before reading what locals want you to know about how to go beyond the bucket list and find the real Spiti!

There are also academic lectures on Dr. Orton’s fieldwork in the Himalayas on our Research Page.

If you’re interested in tutorials with Dr. Orton, she offers online, one-on-one tutorials that are based around your learning or research needs. This ranges from ad hoc tutorials to gain an understanding of the academic literature, research proposal feedback and development, or regular, ongoing support. To find out more about the anthropology and folklore of the Himalayas, take a look at our Anthropology courses on Tibetan and Himalayan Studies, Himalayan Folklore and Religion of the Himalayas. Our interdisciplinary course on Culture and Conservation will give you an insight into the link between wildlife and anthropology.

These courses are templates of possible routes of study and can be combined, adapted, or designed from scratch to suit your interests and goals. Dr. Orton will work with you to design a course of private tutorials tailored to your needs, ability and schedule – whether you are undertaking your own research for an independent project, writing a book or simply have a personal interest. Click the link to find out what it’s like to work with Dr. Orton.

Contact us to find out more!

Undertake Your Own Research Project

Working on your own independent research project needn’t be a lonely task: Dr. Orton works with other independent scholars on projects in conservation and the humanities. Contact us for a chat with her.

If you’re not ready to reach out yet, follow our research methods series on this blog for more ideas! Dr. Orton has written posts on the importance of independent research and how to get started with building your own approach to ethical, people-centred fieldwork.

Reach Out

Follow us on Orton Academy Instagram to see pictures from Dr. Orton’s fieldwork in the Himalayas and the Sundarbans – we would love to connect with you!