Bhutanese People, Society & Religion
People
Bhutanese people can be generally categorized into three main ethnic groups. The Tshanglas, Ngalops and the Lhotshampas.
Tshanglas: The Tshanglas or the Sharchops as they are commonly known as, are considered the aboriginal inhabitants of eastern Bhutan. According to historians, Tshanglas are the descendants of Lord Brahma and speak Tshanglakha. They are commonly inhabitants of the eastern part of the country. Weaving is a popular occupation among their women and they produce beautiful fabrics mainly of silk and raw silk.
Ngalops: The Ngalops who have settled mostly in the six regions of western Bhutan are of Tibetan origin. They speak Ngalopkha, a polished version of Dzongkha, the national language of Bhutan. Agriculture is their main livelihood. They cultivate cereals such as rice, wheat, barley and maize along with a variety of other crops. They are known for Lozeys, or ornamental speech and for Zheys, dances that are unique to the Ngalops.
Lhotshampas: The Lhotshampas have settled in the southern foothills of the country. They speak Lhotshamkha (Nepali) and practice Hinduism. Their society can be broken into various lineages such as the Bhawans, Chhetris, Rai’s, Limbus, Tamangs, Gurungs, and the Lepchas. Nowadays they are mainly employed in agriculture and cultivate cash crops like ginger, cardamom and oranges.
The other minority groups are the Bumthaps and the Khengpas of Central Bhutan, the Kurtoeps in Lhuentse, the Brokpas and the Bramis of Merak and Sakteng in eastern Bhutan, the Doyas of Samtse and finally the Monpas of Rukha villages in WangduePhodrang. Together the multiethnic Bhutanese population number just over 700,000.
Society
Bhutanese society is free of class or a caste system. Slavery was abolished by the Third King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck in the early 1950s through a royal edict. Though, a few organizations to empower women were established in the past, Bhutanese society has always maintained relative gender equality. In general our nation is an open and a good-spirited society.
Living in Bhutanese society generally means understanding some accepted norms such as Driglam Namzha, the traditional code of etiquette. Driglam Namzha teaches people a code of conduct to adhere to as members of a respectful society. Examples of Driglam Namzha include wearing a traditional scarf (kabney) when visiting a Dzong or an office, letting the elders and the monks serve themselves first during meals, offering felicitation scarves during ceremonies such as marriages and promotions and politely greeting elders or seniors.
Normally, greetings are limited to saying “Kuzuzangpo” (hello) amongst equals. For seniors and elders, the Bhutanese bow their head a bit and say “kuzuzangpo la” (a more respectful greeting). Recently, shaking hands has become an accepted norm.
The Bhutanese are a fun-loving people fond of song and dance, friendly contests of archery, stone pitching, traditional darts, basketball and football. 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 is exemplified in the way our people often visit their friends and relatives at any hour of the day without any advance notice or appointment and still receive a warm welcome and hospitality.
Religion
The Bhutanese constitution guarantees freedom of religion and citizens and visitors are free to practice any form of worship so long as it does not impinge on the rights of others. Christianity, Hinduism and Islam are also present in the country.
Buddhism: Bhutan is a Buddhist country and people often refer to it as the last stronghold of Vajrayana Buddhism. Buddhism was first introduced by the Indian Tantric master Guru Padmasambhava in the 8th century. Until then the people practiced Bonism, a religion that worshiped all forms of nature, remnants of which are still evident in some remote villages in the country.
With the visit of Guru Padmasambhava, Buddhism began to take firm roots within the country and this especially led to the propagation of the Nyingmapa (the ancient or the older) school of Buddhism.
Phajo Drugom Zhigp from Ralung in Tibet was instrumental in introducing yet another school of Buddhism – the Drukpa Kagyu sect. In 1222 he came to Bhutan, an event of great historical significance and a major milestone for Buddhism in Bhutan, and established the DrukpaKagyu sect of Buddhism, the state religion. His sons and descendants were also instrumental in spreading it to many other regions of western Bhutan.
By far the greatest contributor was Zhabdrung Nawang Namgyal. His arrival in 1616 from Tibet was another landmark event in the history of the nation. He brought the various Buddhist schools that had developed in western Bhutan under his domain and unified the country as one whole nation-state giving it a distinct national identity.
The Buddhism practiced in the country today is a vibrant religion that permeates nearly every facet of the Bhutanese life style. It is present in the Dzongs, monasteries, stupas, prayer flags, and prayer wheels punctuate the Bhutanese landscape. The chime of ritual bells, sound of gongs, people circumambulating temples and stupas, fluttering prayer flags, red robed monks conducting rituals stand as testaments to the importance of Buddhism in Bhutanese life.
Animism: Though Bhutan is often referred to as the last Vajrayana Buddhist country, you can still come across animistic traditions and beliefs being practiced by the people.
The form of Buddhism practiced in Bhutan has absorbed many of the features of Bonism such as nature worship, worship of a host of deities, invoking and propitiating them. According to Bonism, these deities were the rightful owners of different elements of nature. Each different facet of nature was associated with its own specific type of spirit.
For example, mountain peaks were considered as the abodes of guardian deities (Yullha), lakes were inhabited by lake deities (Tshomem), cliff deities (Tsen) resided within cliff faces, the land belonged to subterranean deities (Lue and Sabdag), water sources were inhabited by water deities (Chu giLhamu), and dark places were haunted by the demons (due).
Every village has a local priest or a shaman to preside over the rituals. Some of the common forms of nature worship being practiced are the Cha festival in Kurtoe, the Kharphud in Mongar and Zhemgang, the BalaBongko in WangduePhodrang, the Lombas of the Haaps and the Parops, the JomoSolkha of the Brokpas, the Kharam amongst the Tshanglas and the Devi Puja amongst our southern community.
These shamanistic rituals are performed for various reasons ranging from to keep evil spirits at bay, bring in prosperity, to cure a patient or to welcome a new year.
What People Says
I get known Bhutan this country thru the article in the newspaper. After reading the article, the impression in my mind that, this country is a gross national happiness country. If I got a change I will visit this country, although I don’t know where this country location is.
This year Dec 2014 I have join a tour to visit Bhutan which organized by agency Indostan Viajes Tours. for 4 day 3 night, but unfortunately the flight from Nepal to Paro have cancelled due to the technical problem and this have make me very upset cause my Bhutan trip have cut short and the next day the flight delay and I keep on asking myself and I able to go Bhutan? Thank for the blessing of Buddha, finally I arrived Bhutan.
We get passionate reception from agency Indostan Viajes Tours guide and he have showed us the clear sense of the friendliness, openness and genuineness of the Bhutanese people. During my short trip at Bhutan, everyday is full of happiness and joyful; our group members very enjoy the trip although our time in Bhutan is very limited. The tour guide is very professional in introduces the beauty, the historical and the culture of his country and he also well arrange for us to explore as much as the place we can visit in 3 day 2 night. The schedule is well arrange and also flexibilities due to the current conditions.
The person who like blue sky, white clouds, huts, Dzong, Temple, the natural beauty, forest, culture and historical, can make a plan to visit Bhutan, the holy Heaven.
The service provided by Indostan Viajes Tours is Excellent. Those who visit Bhutan. I highly recommend Indostan Viajes Tours and Treks
— Li Mee Yean, MALAYSIA
Bhutan is a country I have been wishing to visit for many years. I have read and watched a long list of documentaries about Bhutan. My will to visit the country increased more and more. When I finally visited Bhutan, it was better than I had imagined it to be. People are really kind and friendly. Children are “so cute and friendly.” Everybody respects each other and values and takes care of nature. The Bhutanese perception of time is slightly laid back.
Bhutanese are slower. Nobody is in hurry. People just live and enjoy the present. Culture is highly valued and respected. You can enjoy the dances, architecture, clothing and costumes. There are also many historical and beautiful temples. The landscapes are filled with amazing mountains, rivers, pine forests, under an incredible blue sky with the most pure and clean air I have ever breathed. A fresh breeze is always present and moves thousands of colorful prayer flags of good wishes that you can find in valleys, towns, forests and even in the capital city Thimpu.
I have a great time in Bhutan! I really recommend a visit to this country if you want to have a great and different experience. I exclusively recommend local travel agent (Indostan Viajes Tours) that provided me this satisfying opportunity. The tour guide was brilliant and I was exposed to original Bhutan.
— Regards, Laura Mo (Uruguay)
Due to flight cancel, delay, schedule change, we only have a short n rush visit to Bhutan in dec 2014.but I m very impress with the trust worthiness n sincerely of the tour agency Indostan Viajes Tours. They assisted us everything that we need and dedicated us executing their duties n all places of interest of the area.
Vim, he is really good jolly fellow, friendly, sincere. He do all his best for us, remember the 1st night we arrived Thimphu, he invited us to his house n have a typical Bhutan food dinner, and lets us wear their national costume "Gho" n "kira" .Before the depart night, in the hotel, he invite the Bhutan traditional dancer to perform the local culture, to entertain us..Under his bill. I am very much touched n appreciate. Over all they provided excellent services.
I highly recommended them... 2 thumbs up!
— Yen Yoon Chong, MALAYSIA
Thank You for all the travel arrangements to Bhutan. Bhutan would remain one of my most memorable holidays. I was received and welcomed by Mr. Bhim at the Paro Airport in a traditional Bhutanese style with a silk stole. Its amazing that there is such strong emphasis on the promotion and preservation of Bhutan's unique culture across the country. I gathered from Bhim about the Gross National Happiness, and the country's deep routed Buddhist faith and their sense of contentment is due to their self-sufficient lifestyle. Bhutan is a must visit for all nature lovers. The travel & Hotel arrangements were great - my personal favourite would remain 'Mandala Resort @ Paro' with breathtaking views of mountains from the room. Bhim was extremely courteous and was an excellent tour guide! Thanks to guide for the hospitality extended - Kaadinchhey La Bhim ! I would surely recommend Indostan viajes Tours to all friends who plan to visit Bhutan.
— Sushma
I had the wonderful opportunity to travel to Bhutan with Indostan Viajes Tours. They provided courteous and friendly service. The tour guide was exceptionally knowledgeable, and was a pleasure to have as a guide through spectacular scenery in this most unique country. The guide gave a clear sense of the friendliness, openness and genuineness of the Bhutanese people.
Everything, every last detail, was well planned, and there was also room for flexibility and spontaneity in activities. The guide really made the trip an exceptional experience in such a spectacular country. I would very highly recommend Indostan Viajes Tours to anyone interested in an experienced, personable tour of Bhutan
— Carol Freund New Jersey, USA
2014/09/27==在一次難得的機緣下，我終於踏上這夢想已久的不丹之旅!!
數年前即已從各種管道中得知不丹這個全世界最快樂的國家!!
雖然看過旅遊書，查過網路上的相關旅遊資料，甚至也看過不丹文學作者的作品。但因語言及經費等種種問題，並未積極進行相關旅程之規劃。
某天在背包客棧討論區上看到包友推薦的不丹當地旅行社(Inostan Viajes Tours)資料，抱著姑且一試的心態發了封Mail詢問相關資訊。(因先前發信問過其他包友推薦的旅行社，結果均石沉大海...)
真的沒想到!!Bhim居然在20分鐘內就回應了我的Mail!!
在後面的信件問答往來之中，雖然告知Bhim因為經費關係在短時間仍無法成行，但Bhim仍積極協助解答各式疑問，甚且仔細的了解個人喜好及身體狀況後提出其專業建議!!最後在這難得的機緣下，即便需要借錢，也要盡快湊足旅費踏上這夢想之旅!!
每個人對旅遊的看法及需求不同，我喜歡拍照(只是隨便拍拍)、喜歡大自然、喜歡鄉村、喜歡接觸人們，更喜歡吃當地人吃的食物!!因此在最初跟Bhim討論行程規劃時，就規劃了一般景點、策秋節慶及簡易的高山健行。(還好Bhim有確認過我的狀況，建議了1條最簡單的健行路線，不然肯定走到掛點...)
在策秋節慶典上，Bhim安排了3個不同城鄉的策秋節，原來每個城鄉都會辦自己的策秋節慶典，且時間不同。在不同規模的城鄉所辦的慶典上，慶典規模也就相對的不同了，從首都的人山人海無法動彈，到小鄉鎮的慶典近到離舞者僅有數公尺之距離!!在短短兩週的時間內參與不同規模的慶典，帶來了相對不同的感受，這機會真的少有!!
不丹的規定是觀光客必須有旅行社全程招待，但平常自助習慣了，總喜歡自己一個人閒晃。Bhim知道後在慶典上就讓我自己一個人自由閒逛拍照，也因此讓我可以自己接觸到當地人，並且交了一個朋友，還推薦其他景點給我參考，只可惜因為語言不通，沒辦法聊太多.......，但很感謝這位爸爸讓我拍了他女兒的照片!!(可惜這位爸爸的Mail沒有抄對，導致沒辦法寄照片給他...)
可愛的小女孩
通常我不太喜歡太多觀光客的地方，但在這旅遊旺季下各個景點到處都是觀光客...，對此Bhim帶著我漫步在田野之間，周遭只有美好的天氣、純樸的農田景觀、悠閒吃草的牲口以及辛勤工作的農民們!!
到了一個不同的國家，除了不同的風俗民情之外，最重要的就是不同的飲食習慣!!不丹的飲食習慣偏辣，因此旅行社會提供觀光客不辣的食物。在跟其他觀光客一樣吃了幾餐觀光客餐後，跟Bhim聊天希望能多嚐試不丹不同的飲食。此後我們都到當地人的館子用餐，周遭除了我之外沒有任何觀光客，只要有機會Bhim都會儘量讓我嚐試到不同的食物以及飲品。想想我在不丹試過的酒類包括啤酒、傳統米酒、威士忌、白蘭地以及利口酒...等等，為數近20種!!。我想應該不會有其他觀光客能有跟我一樣的體驗吧!!
不丹!!擁有著原始的大自然景觀，純樸的田園風情，熱鬧的慶典氣氛，以及善良且熱情的人們!!
最後，如果沒有Bhim的服務及幫忙，就沒辦法在這一次旅程中充份享受並體驗到以上種種非凡的體驗!!
— Best wishes, Peter Chang (Hong Kong)