Slow Road to China

‘Slow Road To China,’ is a photographic study of a remote part of northwestern Nepal called Humla and the remarkable people who live there. They are a wonderful mix of grit and warmth, humility and pride, innocence and wisdom. For centuries, the Himalayas have walled them in, shaping and preserving their way of life. Humla residents consider themselves the last remaining guardians of pure Tibetan culture. As modernity beckons, however, more of the region’s youth are leaving home. One thing I found in abundance there was a firm sense of identity. It was my intention to capture this in my images—the strength of that sense, the pride the people of Humla take in the niche that they and their ancestors have carved out for themselves. However, looming in the background of these photos, beyond the snowy peaks, is the very real possibility that future generations, assimilated into the Western world, might forfeit the rich and unique traditions cherished by their elders.

Drew Doggett tells extraordinary stories of diverse cultures, animals, and communities through a fashion-inspired lens. He has received 120+ prestigious international awards and has had his artwork featured in many publications such as Conde Nast Traveler, Architectural Digest, Forbes, Bloomberg, Fortune, and Outside Magazine. His photographic work can be found in public collections globally, notably the Smithsonian African Art Museum (DC), as well as in hundreds of corporate and private collections in over 20 countries around the world including the Four Seasons (HI) and the Waldorf Astoria.