House as Ritual Space: The Symbolism of the House and its Protective Systems in Ladakh

In Ladakh, a house symbolises more than just its functionality; its physical features and spatial organisation convey subtle meanings. Indeed, every house can be considered a 'sacred' space, not just the area around or beyond the threshold of the prayer room, but the entire house. Local deities that intervene when offended by people’s behaviour are associated with different parts of the interior of the house, such as the fireplace, the main pillar in the room where the main household activities take place, and the storerooms. Furthermore, various protective measures are employed to safeguard the house and its inhabitants, including humans and livestock, from potential harm by spirits or malevolent forces. This paper focuses on the data I have collected during my annual fieldwork in Ladakh since 1980. The shift towards a more materialistic society has altered the younger generations' perception of the world. Certain aspects of local beliefs have already been lost. For example, protective devices are disappearing from new concrete houses in villages that can be reached by road, as are the religious specialists who knew how to make them.