About Bhutan

The Kingdom of Bhutan is a country nestled in the Eastern Himalayas. In Dzongkha, the national language of the Kingdom, the country is known as “Druk Yul” which means “the Land of the Thunder Dragon” and the people are known as “Drukpas”. The term “Drukpa” comes from Drukpa Kagyud, which is the state religion. The high Himalayas to the north separates the Kingdom from the Tibetan Autonomous Region of China, while the rugged geographical terrain borders the Indian States of Arunachal Pradesh in the east, Assam & West Bengal in the south and Sikkim in the west. vcm_s_kf_m160_160x107-21

A conscious policy of isolation complemented by formidable geographical barriers has enabled the Kingdom to maintain its independence throughout its history. Ancient stone implements and other archaeological findings indicate that there were settlements in Bhutan dating back to 2000 B.C. However, the chronicled history of the Kingdom begins only with the advent of Buddhism in the 8^th century.

Roughly the size of Switzerland (38,394 sq. Km) and populated by less than 700,000 people, Bhutan can be called a small and under-populated country when compared to its giant neighbors. Contrary to its size, Bhutan is composed of a large variety of people, from the yak herders in the north to the orange growers in the south. The little Kingdom has extraordinary ecological diversity.

Bhutan is a rich mosaic of cultures, lifestyles, languages and belief systems. In a country with a population of just over half a million, as many as 19 different dialects and a few languages are spoken. This is attributed to the fact that in the past, Bhutanese communities settled in the valleys with limited communication. It is for the same reason that the sense of individuality and independence emerges as a strong characteristic of the people. The Bhutanese are, by nature, physically strong and fiercely independent with an open and ready sense of humour. Hospitality is an in-built social value in Bhutan.

People wear colorful dresses; the men wear a gho, a long robe tied around the waist by a slim fabric belt or kera. Women’s garment known as kira is an ankle length wrap-around dress secured by a belt around the waist and fastened at the shoulders with silver brooches called koma.

There is no rigid class system in Bhutan and social and educational opportunities are not affected by rank or birth. Bhutanese women enjoy equal rights as men. Both men and women are free to choose their partners for marriage and both can initiate a divorce.

Monks are held in great respect and play an active part in the community life. Representatives of the monk body are present at all important occasions. In the past it was common for one son from each family to enter the monastic order, a custom that is less prevalent today.

About Bhutan

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