Creating the trail
The project used a process called 'Participatory Action Research' (PAR) to structure the co-design of the Langtang Heritage Trail. PAR involves academic researchers committing to meaningful collaboration with community-researchers, directed by needs and outcomes defined by the community. A respect for local knowledge is the starting point of the design process. In PAR we strive for mutual learning, with all the imperfections, curiosities, successes and mistakes, that entails. So, where did we start?
Working from traditional
technologies
Throughout the Himalayas you can often see small Buddhist shrines near streams. These house and protect a prayer wheel which spins infinitely by the power of the water, pushing small propellors attached to the base. It is an ancient hydro-power technology, harnessed to sustain a constant release of spiritual blessings. Our starting point was inspired by this cultural tradition, which we believed could power small ipads that would host the oral histories, told by the Langtangpa.
The messy work of co-design
The time-consuming work (and delight) of collaboration, negotiation, adaptation and reflection took many years. The design was discussed between academic and community researchers. We tinkered with the concept. We helicoptered up and down to Langtang several times. Throughout, the Langtangpa held meetings, sometimes taking several days, to privately deliberate on their needs and desires for the initiative. And we finally arrived at an accepted co-design.
Welcome visitors to your site with a short, engaging introduction. Double click to edit and add your own text.
Talented local craftspeople
With the support of project funding, local craftspeople constructed all three of the exhibition huts using a combination of materials that were available in the valley, or were purchased from other Nepalese businesses.
Opening ceremony and blessing
On a sunny afternoon in 2018, academic and community researchers joined other members of the Langtangpa to officially mark the completion of the exhibition huts. To celebrate the occasion and bring good fortune to the initiative, a local lama performed a blessing puja as part of the ceremony.
