life in the Hill's

Life in the High Hills: Old Traditions in a Village Without Electricity

Tucked away in the serene silence of the high hills, far from the reach of modernity, there once existed a small village untouched by electricity. Life here was raw, real, and deeply rooted in nature's rhythm. Snow blanketed the mountains for months, and the icy winds whispered through the pine trees as if guarding age-old secrets of survival, warmth, and community.

A Village Lit by Flame

When the sun dipped behind the snowy peaks, the village didn’t light up with bulbs or neon signs. Instead, homes glowed softly with the light of mitti ke diye (clay lamps) or homemade torches of resin-rich pine wood, locally called chir ki lakdi. These wooden sticks, soaked in natural oils or wrapped in cloth, burned bright and long, guiding families through the dark Himalayan nights.

The flickering flames were more than just light — they were storytellers. Elders sat around them spinning tales of spirits in the forest, gods in the mountains, and brave ancestors who walked these snows without boots.

Winters of Silence and Strength

Winter wasn’t a season here — it was a way of life. For nearly six months, the village would be buried under layers of snow. Roads disappeared. The world outside seemed to freeze in time. And yet, life within the homes pulsed with warmth and resilience.

People prepared for winter like a festival. Grains were stored, firewood was stacked in towering piles, and woollens were knitted with love. Food was cooked on chulhas (mud stoves) fueled by wood, filling homes with the scent of hot rotis and slow-cooked lentils.

Community: The Heart of Survival

With no connection to the outside world, villagers depended on each other. If a family ran out of firewood, others shared. If someone fell ill, the village healer brought herbs and prayers. Festivals weren’t celebrated with electricity or loudspeakers — they were marked with folk songs, drums, and the stamping of feet on frozen ground.

Marriages were held under the stars, lit by hundreds of handmade torches. The entire village would gather, bringing food, laughter, and blessings.

Nature as Teacher and Guide

In the absence of gadgets, villagers turned to nature for cues. They could tell the weather by the wind, predict snow by the silence in the air, and find their way through the mountains with just the position of the sun and stars. Children learned these skills not in schoolbooks but by living them every day.

The Beauty of a Simple Life

Today, as we scroll through our screens and rush through our days, it’s easy to forget that such lives once existed — and still do in some corners of the world. These old traditions remind us that happiness doesn’t always come from progress. Sometimes, it’s found in a warm fire, a shared meal, and a quiet night under snowy skies.