21st CENTURY IN BHUTAN (Part-01)

Bhutan is one of the smallest countries in the world, nevertheless, the diversity of culture and traditions and its abundance are much more profound. It is considered as the oldest countries who have preserved century-old cultures and traditions and promotes them concurrently. The main notion of culture and tradition are the legacy of physical relics and intangible or untouchable attributes of group or community that are inherited from past generation, maintained in the present and promote for benefits of future generations.

There are two categories of cultural heritage; tangible and intangible. Tangible or touchable culture includes buildings, landscape, monuments, artifacts, art works, and books. And intangible or untouchable cultures are like living styles or living expressions such as oral traditions, rituals, performing arts, social practices, and festive events which were inherited from our ancestors and pass on to our descendants. Any kind of shape they take, these things develop part of the heritage, and this heritage requires more efforts on our part in order to safeguard and promote it.

Bhutanese traditional dress is one of the most peculiar and unique identities that have evolved over thousands of years. Men wear the Gho, a knee-length robe somewhat matching a kimono that is tied at the waist by a kere (traditional belt). The largest pouch in the world is formed at the front used for carrying small articles such as wallets, mobile phones and Doma (betel nut). Women wear the Kira, a long, ankle-length dress followed by a light outer jacket known as a Tego with an inner layer known as a Wonju.

However, common and semi-nomadic people like the Bramis and Brokpas of eastern Bhutan generally wear clothing that differs from the rest of the Bhutanese population (woven either out of Yak or Sheep hair).The long scarves are wear when visiting Dzongs and other administrative centers. The color of Scarves they wear can be varied, signifying the wearer’s status or rank. The scarf worn by men is known as Kabney while those worn by women are known as Rachus.