The rule that people above the age of 60 and below the age of 12 are not allowed to work, recognition that even if they go out to work, they should not migrate.
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Halji village is located in Namkha-6 of Humla, where 90 households live. They are not allowed to do any kind of work like farming at any time. The community determines what work should be done and how long. There is a rule that people above the age of 60 and below the age of 12 cannot be employed.
Halji produces only pea and barley crops. There is a lot of work pressure during planting and harvesting. Even then, only 5 hours a day working time is fixed. "At this time, we can only work in the fields from 6 am to 11 am," said the ward president Paljor Tamang, "no one can go to work early in the morning." It doesn't matter if you leave work late, but you can't work after 11 o'clock.'' In Halji, it is common practice to do work collectively.
Every year in April-May, the community gathers to set a deadline for work from farming to farming. Ward president Tamang says that there is no such compulsion in regular household and general work. A committee of 4 women and 3 men is formed to see if the rules are followed or not. The current committee was formed during the last local elections. Ward president and members are in the role of protectors in the committee.
In non-agricultural work, what time to leave in the morning and when to return in the afternoon or evening is decided through group discussion. There is also a rule that some work can be done up to 8 hours. Working period Lundup Tamang, a local, said that the locals are happy with the tradition of
. According to him, action will be taken against those who break the rules. Children can do social work only after reaching 18 years of age. The elderly and children are not employed because they cannot.
According to the local Tshiring Nyandak Tamang, there are three types of families in the village: Drongpa, Mere and Bomta. The first-ranked family of the eaters is called the Drongpa. Only one person from the Drongpa's house is enough to participate in the collective work. Two people have to go from my house. It is customary that more than two people from Bomta's house should participate. Locals hold meetings twice a year and review the work done in the village and compliance with policies and rules.
The inhabitants of Halji, which is 3,660 meters above sea level, do not migrate. They believe that migration will not end well. Even if you go out for business, business and other work, there is a belief among the locals that you should return to the village. Locals say that there is a custom of not migrating due to the fear of disruption in the family, disruption of children's education, and failure in their business ventures.
Halji Monastery is more than a thousand years old. It is considered very important religiously and historically. Even though the monastery is dilapidated, the locals are afraid to rebuild it. Wooden supports are used to keep the main temple strong.
The residents of Halji village used to raise sheep, goats and chaunri. Local produce was sent to Humla market and Tibet. Now they have given up animal husbandry. It is customary to go to Tibet for labor. "Many people are making a living from their wages," said Tamang, the ward president.
