Photo of the Day
a Kyrgyz girl milking her family’s yak in the Pamir Mountains, northern Afghanistan
September 12, 2014
Key to Survival
The Kyrgyz of the Pamir Mountains in northern Afghanistan live at a high altitude where no crops grow. Survival depends on the animals that they milk, butcher, and barter. Here, Ayeem Khan wears boots borrowed from her father and the red veil of an unmarried Kyrgyz girl, to be traded for a white one when she weds. Twice a day she milks the family’s yaks; some milk curd will be dried for use in winter, when yaks give less. See more pictures from the September 2014 feature story “The Evolution of Diet.” Follow Matthieu Paley's visual food journals on our photography blog, Proof » See more of National Geographic’s coverage on the Future of Food »
Go Further
Animals
- Many birds flocked to cities during COVID lockdownsMany birds flocked to cities during COVID lockdowns
- These animals offer key clues for environmental changeThese animals offer key clues for environmental change
- Why Idaho once parachuted beavers into the wildernessWhy Idaho once parachuted beavers into the wilderness
Environment
- How prescribed burns are protecting ancient sequoias from wildfiresHow prescribed burns are protecting ancient sequoias from wildfires
- Jane Goodall joins campaign to plant a trillion trees by 2030Jane Goodall joins campaign to plant a trillion trees by 2030
- How can the most endangered ecosystem in the world be saved?How can the most endangered ecosystem in the world be saved?
- Climate change may be pushing rainforests to a breaking pointClimate change may be pushing rainforests to a breaking point
- Protecting the lifeline of the Okavango Delta
- Paid Content
Protecting the lifeline of the Okavango Delta
History & Culture
- COVID-19 is now the deadliest pandemic in U.S. historyCOVID-19 is now the deadliest pandemic in U.S. history
- Congress moves to recognize first atomic bomb test’s survivorsCongress moves to recognize first atomic bomb test’s survivors
- How a pyramid rose from the ashes of a colossal volcanic eruptionHow a pyramid rose from the ashes of a colossal volcanic eruption
- Influx of Haitian migrants overwhelms Texas border authorities
- History & Culture
- Stories of Migration
Influx of Haitian migrants overwhelms Texas border authorities - 670,000 flags in D.C. pay tribute to U.S. COVID-19 deaths670,000 flags in D.C. pay tribute to U.S. COVID-19 deaths
Science
- Earth's tides may be linked the rise of life as we know itEarth's tides may be linked the rise of life as we know it
- Canary Islands volcano roars to life for first time in 50 yearsCanary Islands volcano roars to life for first time in 50 years
- Pfizer says its vaccine is highly effective in kids ages 5 to 11Pfizer says its vaccine is highly effective in kids ages 5 to 11
- Why you may not need a COVID-19 booster yet after allWhy you may not need a COVID-19 booster yet after all
Travel
- Discover the beauty of America’s Great Plains on footDiscover the beauty of America’s Great Plains on foot
- See Oklahoma through a Native lens at this new museumSee Oklahoma through a Native lens at this new museum
- Afghans look for new ways to share their culture far from homeAfghans look for new ways to share their culture far from home
- Minneapolis is a big wheel in the urban cycling movementMinneapolis is a big wheel in the urban cycling movement
- Why is Canada making it harder to go whale watching?Why is Canada making it harder to go whale watching?
