NEPAL : HIMALAYAN ARCHIVE
Western Nepal, Circa 1998
Cheuki and her daughter Dolma.I spent several months working as an independent photographer in the remote valleys of the Western Himalayas. The cold was often so intense that I would go to a local woman’s home for tea. That woman was Cheuki.
Over time, we became friends, and I felt inspired to capture her moments. She lives in a rare polyandrous marriage with two brothers — a Tibetan tradition meant to preserve family land across generations. Her quiet strength and easy laughter stayed with me. In her, I found true friendship.
The stones you see in these pictures are coral and turquoise — two of the most meaningful materials in Tibetan culture. Turquoise is believed to protect the body and carry the energy of the person who wears it. Over time, its color changes, marking the passage of years and experience. Coral, often worn by women, symbolizes life force and femininity. These aren’t just decorative — they’re passed down, carried through generations, and worn with purpose.
