Farmers at work in a village in Spiti Credit: Discover India Spiti The people and the culture of Spiti evolved over the centuries largely isolated from the rest of the world. The population of Spiti had to deal with two problems. Arable land was one problem -- not much of it is available in this barren region. The other problem was that of the rising population. Unlike the neighboring regions of Lahaul and Kinnaur, polyandry is not followed in Spiti.

Girls from Kaza, Spiti Credit: Discover India

In the Spiti system, the eldest son inherits the property. The eldest daughter gets the mother's jewellery. The younger siblings get nothing. They have to fend for themselves. Many usually fall back on the social security system of the Trans Himalayas -- the monasteries and nunneries. This is one of the reasons why even today religion plays a major role in the lives of the people.