The Wealth of Nor

As for “nor” – referring to yak and dri cattle – they inhabit the cooler regions of the Himalayan foothills including in Sikkim, Bhutan, Nepal and other areas bordering the high Tibetan plateau [which comprises Amdo, Kham and Ü Tsang].

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Speaking from the point of view of a person who doesn’t have any familiarity with them, the nor cattle are long-haired with four short exceptionally stout limbs and two large protruding eyes. Amongst other things, they are equipped with a pair of bow-shaped horns with thick roots and pointed tips. Observing these many features, one might conclude they are lowly creatures which are unpleasant to the eye.

However, if you are speaking from the point of view of a person who is familiar with – and has close ties with – the “nor” then you will definitely develop a deeply-rooted understanding of these unique animals.

Nor have well-proportioned bodies and particularly beautiful eyes and ears. The undercoat covering the entire body is called “Khu lu” [ground hair] and the hair that grows downwards, “rTsi pa, [guard hair] is dark and silky.  The “Dra kha” is the hair which grows in random clumps in the central areas of the body and the tail is of long, coarse hair. All these aspects of the coat are like clothes that are adaptable to the changing seasons, as well as being a crowning glory. From a stable base, a pair of horns slowly grow evenly upwards thinning towards the sharply-pointed tips pointing towards the back. The hooves of the four limbs which are very hard and strong, are a weapon of self-defense.

In this land of the snows the “nor” are used for carrying loads, moving the nomadic encampments, fetching water as well as transporting salt from the north to the central region as well as grain from there back up north and so forth, as well as ploughing and sowing the fields. Because of this they are fittingly known by the pleasantly sounding name, the “ships” of the high plateau. The milk of the female nor is soft in texture and sweet to the taste; it is most nutritious. Moreover, various kinds of foods including butter, yoghurt and cheese are made from it.

From the ground hair, the clumping hair and the tail hair, thick rope, string and fine thread are made, respectively; thick curtains and woven bags are also made. Their dung provides a source of fuel. In short, this animal is a treasure trove vital for people’s day-to-day livelihood.

As the saying goes, if an elephant dies, it is worth 100 ounces [2.8kg] of gold; even if it doesn’t [die], it is still worth the same. Likewise, even if it were to die or be killed, a nor’s meat is very tasty and nutritious and from its hide, shoes, leather bags and rope can be made. From the horns and the bones, various tools and ornaments are fashioned. Although nor are abundant on the Tibetan high plateau and lowlands, they are mostly considered to be an asset of the high plateau, most unique and invaluable because of their scarcity in other areas.

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 A proverb

“Dark-headed Tibetans depend on the dark-haired animal.

The dark-haired animals depend on the grasslands.”