Culture, Language & People

Culture

Cradled in the folds of the Himalayas, Bhutan has relied on its geographic isolation to protect itself from outside cultural influences. A sparsely populated country bordered by India to the south, and China to the north, Bhutan has long maintained a policy of strict isolationism, both culturally and economically, with the goal of preserving its cultural heritage and independenc. By protecting and nurturing Bhutan’s living culture it is believed that it will help guard the sovereignty of the nation.

Even today the government of Bhutan strongly emphasizes on promotion and preservation of its unique culture which is reflected through its architecture, arts & crafts , dress, festivals, food and its traditional beliefs. Bhutan follows Driglam Namzha introduced in 90’s, the official behavior and dress code of the people of Bhutan. It is a set of etiquette as how to talk,what to wear, how to bow down, how to speak and so on in formal settings.

Language

Dzongkha, the native language of the Ngalops of western Bhutan is the national language of Bhutan. Dzongkha literally meaning the language spoken in the Dzongs (massive fortresses that serve as the administrative centers and monasteries). The two other widely languages spoken are Tshanglakha/Sharchokpa and the Lhotshamkha also known as Nepali. Tshanglakha is the native language of the Tshanglas of eastern Bhutan while Lhotshamkha is spoken by the southern Bhutanese of Nepali origin. Other languages spoken are Khengkha and Bumthapkha by the Khengpas and Bumthap people of Central Bhutan. Mangdepkah, which is spoken by the inhabitants of Trongsa and the Cho Cha Nga Chang Kha which is spoken by the Kurtoeps. The Sherpas, Lepchas and the Tamangs in southern Bhutan also have their own dialects. Unfortunately two dialects that are on the verge of becoming extinct are the Monkha and the Gongduepkha.

People

Small though it is, Bhutan has a rich and diverse culture. The country’s difficult topography succeeded in keeping each ethnic group separate and vibrant. The majority of the Bhutanese are divided into three main ethnic groups: the Sharchops, people from the east, the Ngalops, people from the west and the Lhotshampas, people from the south. Tshanglas, the inhabitants of Trashigang, Mongar, Pemagatshel, and Samdrup Jongkhar are considered Bhutan’s earliest residents and their origins can be traced to the Tibeto-Burmese race. The Ngalops of western Bhutan are the later settlers who migrated from Tibet bringing with them Vajrayana Buddhism as it is still practiced today. Lhotshampas migrated into Bhutan from the south and settled in the southern plains in search of agricultural land and work in the early 20th century. Bumthaps and Khengpas of Central Bhutan, Kurtoeps of Lhuentse, Brokpas and Bramis of eastern Bhutan, Doyas of Samtse and Monpas of Trongsa and Wangdue constitute other minority groups.