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General Info |
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| Geography
| Religion | Flora and Fauna
| Currency | People | Traditional
Clothes | Cuisine | Handicrafts
| Shopping |
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Bhutan
is a country nestled in the eastern Himalayas. The
country has been visited by innumerable saints, mystics,
scholars and pilgrims over the centuries who not only
came for their personal elucidation, but blessed the
land and its people with an invaluable spiritual and
cultural legacy that has shaped every facet of Bhutanese
lives.
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The
culture and its traditional lifestyle is very rich
in Bhutan. From the traditional woven garments to
the prayer flags on high mountain slopes, from the
built environment to the natural environment, from
the religious mask dances to the folk dances, this
cultural heritage is proudly evident and offers
a unique cultural atmosphere.
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| Geography
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Bhutan
is a landlocked country. It is about 47,000 km-
roughly the size of Switzerland. It is located between
Tibet in the north, Indian states of West Bengal
and Assam in the south, and Arunachal Pradesh in
the east. It
is a land of soaring snowcapped peaks, alpine meadows
and densely forested hills and ravines abounding
in exotic flora and fauna.
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| Religion
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The
Bhutanese treasured their natural environment; it
is seen as a source of all life and the abode of
the gods and spirits. Buddhism has been the predominant
religion since the 7th century and has inculcated
deeply the value that all forms of sentient life,
not just human life, are precious and sacred.
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Flora
and Fauna
The people of Bhutan have lived
in harmony with nature and that environment is stillpristine
and intact today. Bhutan has the richest diversity of Flora
and Fauna made possible by the ecological sensitivity of the
Bhutanese People and preserved by the policies of a concerned
government. The country has been identified as one of the
10 bio-diversity hot spots in the world and as one of the
221 global endemic bird areas.
Its ecosystems
harbor some of the most exotic species of the eastern Himalayas
with an estimated 770 species of birds and over 50 species
of rhododendron, besides an astonishing variety of medical
plants and orchids.
The Kingdom is home to a very rich mammalian wildlife population;
there are 165 species of mammals. Bhutan also has a rich wildlife
with animals like the, snow leopard, golden langur, blue sheep,
tiger, water buffalo and elephant.
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Currency
Ngltraum is used as a currency in Bhutan. A sub-currency
is Chhertum. 100 Ch. is equal to 1 Nu. 1 Nu. is about
3.3 yen and fixed rate as Indian rupee. (1998/03)
A most small sum of a bill is 1Nu. There are coins
but not popular, which were issued in 1979. The biggest
coin is 1 Nu. coin and diameter about 28 mm. The others
are 50 Ch., 25 Ch., 10 Ch., 5 Ch.
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| People
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Bhutan's
indigenous population is the Drukpa. Three main ethnic
groups, the Sharchops, Ngalops and the Lhotsampas
(of Nepalese origin), make up today's Drukpa population.
Bhutan's earliest residents, the Sharchops (people
of the east) reside predominantly in eastern Bhutan.
Their origin can be traced to the tribes of northern
Burma and northeast India. The Ngalops migrated from
the Tibetan plains and are the importers of Buddhism
to the kingdom.
Most of the Lhotsampas migrated to the southern plains
in search of agricultural land and work in the early
20th century.
Bhutan's official language is Dzongkha. The current
population is approximately 750, 000. Bhutan has never
had a rigid class system. Social and educational opportunities
are not affected by rank or by birth. Bhutanese women
enjoy equal rights with men in every respect.
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Traditional
Clothes
Every inhabitant of the country wears the distinctive
national dress that is finelyhand-woven from multicolored,
vibrant hued wool, cotton or silk. It is compulsory
for all Bhutanese to wear national dress in schools,
government offices and formal occasions.
Men's attire is called "gho", which is knee length
traditional hand-woven robe. Women wear a longer;
ankle length robe called "kira" and this is also made
from fine, hand woven fabric, with the pattern usually
being distinctive to a particular valley of area.
The form of dress is common to all strata of society.
For formal occasions, including a visit to the Dzong
requires a scarf called "Kabney" that identifies a
person's rank. In dzongs and on formal occasions,
a Dasho or someone in authority carries a long sword
called a Patang. When visiting dzongs, women wear
a cloth sash called a "Rachu" over their left shoulder
in the same manner as men wear a kabney.
White silk scarves are exchanged as customary greetings
among ranking officials and are offered to high lamas
as a sign of respect.
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Cuisine
The diet of the people of Bhutan is rich in meat, dairy,
grain (particularly rice) and vegetables. Emadatse (chili
and cheese stew) is considered the national dish withmany
interpretations to this recipe throughout the country. Meat
dishes, mainly pork, beef and yak, are lavishly spiced with
chilies, and it is common to see bright red peppers drying
on rooftops in the sun. Salted butter tea, or suja, is served
on all social occasions. Chang, a local beer, and arra, a
spirit distilled from rice, maize, wheat or barley, are also
common and widely favored. Doma or betel nut, is offered as
a customary gesture of greeting. The Bhutanese way of life
is greatly influenced by religion. People circumambulating
the chortens with prayer beads and twirling prayer wheels
are a common sight. Every Bhutanese home has a special room
used for prayers, a chosum. Most popular drink is souza (Bhutanese
tea).
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Handicrafts
Weaving which is done mostly by women in all parts
of the country, is an integral part of Bhutan’s cultural
identity. The special quality of Bhutanese weaving
- vibrant in colour and exquisite in design - has
become an attractive value to the outside world. The
other handicrafts include fine quality carvings on
wood, clay, cane work, gold and silver ornaments and
many other items. The artistic works of the Bhutanese
people can be seen on display at the National Museum
in Paro.
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Shopping
Bhutan markets held regularly, generally on Sat &
Sun, are source of local clothing & jewellery,
as well as foodstuffs. Handicraft emporium on main
street in capital is open daily except Sunday &
offers assortment of handwoven and handcrafted goods.
Silversmiths & goldsmiths in Thimphu Valley able
to make handcrafted articles to order. Bhutan well
known for stamps, & best place to buy is in Phuntsholing
where Philatelic Office of Bhutan has HQ.
Shopping hours: 9 am-8 pm Mon to Sun (closed on Tues).
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Also
see :
General Info | Places of Interest
| History & Culture |
Adventures |
Map |
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