Bhutanese society is unique and fascinating. Bhutan is a small landlocked country located in the Eastern Himalayas with China in the North and India in the South. Bhutan is known for its rich culture, awesome landscapes, and a unique philosophy of Gross National Happiness (GNH).
Bhutanese society takes immense pride to preserve Bhutanese culture and traditions, which passed on for generations. Bhutan is dominated by Buddhism and the majority of the population practices Vajrayana Buddhism. Religious Bhutan festivals or “Tshechus” are celebrated with colorful mask dances, traditional dance shows, masked dances, and religious rituals.
Bhutan’s philosophy of Gross National Happiness is a guiding principle to practice. The government is not focusing solely on economic growth but also checking out the cause and effect of the environment, culture, and tradition of people as well as the Country as a whole. Bhutan’s government prioritizes the happiness and well-being of its citizens. GNH is based on four pillars: sustainable and equitable socio-economic development, conservation of the environment, preservation of culture, and good governance.
The national dress for men wearing is called the “Gho” and “Kira” for women. The “Gho” is a long robe till to the knee tied with a “Kera” (a woven cloth belt) tightly tied around the waist. The “Kira” is a floor-length rectangular piece of cloth wrapped around the body over a blouse called “Wonju”.The “Kira” is hoisted from the shoulders by broach-like hooks called “Koma” and is tied at the waist with a Kera (belt). The dress is complete with a short, open jacket-like garment called “Toego”.
Bhutanese society places a strong emphasis on family bonding and community values in every place and district. Many families often live together with happiness. Most elderly people are highly respected and cared for by their children and grandchildren. They live in harmony.
Bhutan is renowned for being the first country to have carbon negative in the world and the Government formulated rules and regulations on environmental conservation. The country has pledged to maintain at least 60% forest coverage by the constitution of Bhutan. Present coverage is 72%. Which helps to preserve its rich biodiversity to less emission of carbon.
Bhutan is a constitutional monarchy, and the King plays a significant role in the country’s governance. The current monarch, as of my last update in September 2021, is King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck.
Bhutan provides free education to the Bhutanese society and community. With the free education system in the country, the literacy rate is relatively high. Schools teach both modern subjects and traditional Bhutanese values with the English language as the medium of instruction in schools and colleges.
Bhutan’s geography and landscape of the country have resulted in some communities remaining quite isolated like Lunana and Laya. Rural communities of Bhutan practice the traditional way of life.
Bhutan Tourism Policy manages the tourism sector to preserve its culture and environment. The government applies SDF(Sustainable Development Fund US$ 200 per person per night) for International tourists visiting Bhutan. Regional Tourists from India apply Rs.1200 per person per night. Visitors must obtain a visa prior to their arrival in Bhutan. The Government imposes a minimum daily tariff spending requirement to control the number of tourists and ensure a high-quality experience.
It’s important to note that Bhutanese society is not without challenges and rapid development. With the globalization period, the country faces issues related to economic development, infrastructure, and maintaining its cultural heritage. However, Bhutan’s commitment to preserving its unique identity and fostering the well-being of its people sets it apart as a remarkable example of a harmonious and content society.
Bhutanese society is different from any society of any country. In Bhutan, we have different people from different regions compromising a Bhutanese society. Bhutanese society is free of class or a caste system. Third King of Bhutan Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, the Father of Modern Bhutan abolished slavery in the early 1950. Bhutanese society has always maintained gender equality. In general, Bhutan is an open and spiritual society.
“Driglam Namzha” literally means the traditional code of etiquette. Driglam Namzha, originates from the first unifier of Bhutan Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel who unified many rulers in Bhutan. Driglam Namza teaches people a code of conduct and remains one nation, one people. Driglam Namzha best example of wearing a traditional scarf “Kabney” for both genders. It is compulsory when visiting a Dzong or an office in Bhutan. Even for the Armed forces when they are in the national dress they need to wear a special small scarf with rank on the scarf. During ceremonies of any kind in front of the altar room and monks/ lamas, one should remain with the scarf and national dress.
“Kuzuzangpo” literally means hello to all. For seniors and elders, the Bhutanese bow their heads a bit and say “Kuzuzangpo la”. Due to modernization, shaking hands has become causal in Bhutan.
The Bhutanese society is a fun-loving people while on gathering at any festive, marriage, playing the national game. All are fond of singing Bhutanese songs and dance. We are a social people that enjoy weddings, religious holidays, and other events as the perfect opportunities to gather with friends and family.
The openness of Bhutanese society makes people visit their friends and relatives at any hour of the day. Bhutanese don’t need an appointment in the advance notice but still receive a warm welcome and hospitality.
The Bhutanese population of over 780,095 as of Thursday, June 24, 2021, is based on Worldometer elaboration of the latest update. It comprises of multi-ethnic and multi-lingual society. Bhutan’s 2020 population is estimated at 771,608 people at mid-year according to UN data. Bhutan’s population is equivalent to 0.01% of the total world population. Bhutan is ranking 165th on the list of countries by population. The population density in Bhutan is 20 per Km2. 45.8 % of the population is in urban areas.
The extreme northeast is home to the Brokpas, the semi-nomads of the villages of Merak and Sakteng who thrive on rearing yaks and sheep. They speak Bro-kad, the language of the Brokpas. In summer they move to the pastures with their yaks and sheep and in winter they return to live in their houses, normally built of stones with small ventilation to protect them from the piercing cold weather. As virtually nothing grows in Merak and Sakteng the Brokpas trade with the Tshanglas of neighboring villages for their necessities with butter, cheese, and yak meat. They also barter bamboo baskets and mats.
“Tshanglas” is the Tshanglas (descendants of Lord Brahma), popularly known as Sharchops or the easterners who speak Tshanglakha. Besides cultivation of maize, rice, wheat, barley, and vegetables this group also rears domestic animals to supplement their living. Weaving is a popular occupation of women. They produce beautiful fabrics mainly of silk and raw silk.
Kurtoeps are the other category of people in the East. They inhabit the district of Lhuentse and the villages are found spread along the banks of Kurichu. Khoma women are expert weavers and are known for their skill in weaving the grandiose Kushithara.
The Bumthaps, Mangdeps, and Khengpas: The people who speak Bumtapkha, Mangdepkha, and Khengkha respectively dwell in the central pockets of Bhutan. The Bumthaps cultivate buckwheat, potatoes, and vegetables. A section of this population also rears yaks and sheep. They also produce fabrics of wool and yak hair. The Mangdeps basically depend on the cultivation of rice, wheat, maize, vegetables, etc besides rearing some domestic animals. The Khengpas also depend on agriculture similar to the Mangdeps. However, they are also known for their bamboo and cane craft.
Then, there are the Ngalops of western Bhutan who speak Ngalopkha, the polished version of Dzongkha which is the national language of Bhutan. Their basic occupation is agriculture. They cultivate rice, wheat, barley, maize, etc, among others. In the regions of Thimphu and Paro, apple is also cultivated as a cash crop.
Lhotshampas: Down south, the main inhabitants are the Lhotshampas or the southerners who speak Lhotshamkha which is the Nepali language, and practice Hinduism. There is also the “Lhops”, popularly known as “Doyas”. Both these ethnic groups essentially depend on agriculture. However, they cultivate cash crops like ginger, cardamom, oranges, etc.
The Layaps: To the extreme north are the Layaps who speak the “Layapkha”. Like the Brokpas of Merak and Sakteng, they are semi-nomads whose source of livelihood is dependent on yaks and sheep the products of which they barter with the people of Wangdue and Punakha with rice, salt, and other daily necessities.
The Brokpas: The other nomadic community is the Brokpas. They are settled in the two villages of Merak and Sakteng in eastern Bhutan. Like the Layaps in northern Bhutan, the Brokpas are semi-nomads depending on yaks and sheep for livelihood. Living in the high-altitude zones they hardly take up agriculture. They speak a different dialect and have their own unique dress that is made of yak hair and sheep wool.
These are the other tribal community and are settled mostly in southern Bhutan. They are considered the aboriginal inhabitants of western and central Bhutan, who over the years settled in the present areas in Dorokha. They have a dialect of their own and dress in their own unique style.