Yak Cheese and Transportation in Himalaya

Yak is four footed domestic animal, lives in mountain. Yaks are using for multi purpose; transportation, milk, meat, cloth, plough the field, fertilizing the land etc. There are different terms for these animals like Jopkyo, Yak and Nak.  Yak is male, Nak is female and Jopkyo is crosed animal between Cow and Yak. Another difference; Jopkyo lives above 1800 meters and can go Everest base camp or mountain pasture land. But pure Yak or Nak hardly lives below 2800 meters because they have long hair on the body so they feel very hot.  If you trek in Everest Region, you can see Yak in Namche Bazaar or above Namche. Yak cheese is popular in Nepal but actually that is made from Nak because Yak can not produce milk. In general, we say Yak that might be Yak, Nak or Jopkyo. Nak and Jopkyo have identity crisis because of male hegemony, Yak. 

Yaks are the means of Transportation.

 Photos

Jopkyo (Zopkyo)

Yak and Nak in Tengboche

Yak and Nak in Tengboche

Video

Yaks are carrying big kerosene drum via Lobuche (4910 mt.) to Gorakshep (5180 mt.)