Kingdom of Bhutan - Druk-Yul
Druk-yul means "Land of the Thunder Dragon", the original and still official name. Bhutan, the name given to the country by the British, is the name used for most official and international business and reference.
Gross National Happiness: Bhutan measures prosperity by taking into consideration the citizens’ happiness levels and not the gross domestic product. The objective is to achieve balanced development essential for people’s happiness. The concept of GNH consists of four pillars: socioeconomic development, conservation and promotion of culture, protection of the environment and good governance. Today, Bhutan is continuously ranked among the top 10 happiest countries in the world.
Nestled between two neighboring giants: China to the north and India to the South. Total area of 38,394 square kilometers with an aerial distance of around 350km from east to west and around 150km from north to south. There is a great variation in altitude from the southern foothills that range from 100 meters above sea level to 7,200 meters above sea level in the northern passes. According to the 2014 estimation, the population stands at 754,951. There are 20 districts in Bhutan. They are divided into four regional zones: east, west, north and south. The people of each zone have their unique traditions and culture plus they usually have their own dialects.
The Capital town of Bhutan, Thimphu, is an interesting blend of modernity and tradition. It is one of the two capital cities in Asia without traffic lights. The traffic is directed by traffic policemen in blue uniforms who show the way through graceful hand motions. Since the Fourth King abdicated the throne in 2006, and the Fifth King officially ascended the throne in 2008, Bhutan went from being an absolute monarchy to a Democratic Constitutional Monarchy. The official language of Bhutan is Dzongkha though there are other dialects spoken by the Bhutanese like Lhotshampkha, Sarchop, Khengkha, Bumthangkha, etc. The Bhutanese currency Ngultrum is pegged to the Indian Rupee. Bhutan has made a resolution to maintain a forest cover of not less than 72.5% in keeping with its policy of environmental and ecological conservation. The state religion is Buddhism and next comes Hinduism in terms of popularity. There is a minority section that practices Christianity. Source: www.littlebhutan.com - http://www.everyculture.com
Druk-yul means "Land of the Thunder Dragon", the original and still official name. Bhutan, the name given to the country by the British, is the name used for most official and international business and reference.
Gross National Happiness: Bhutan measures prosperity by taking into consideration the citizens’ happiness levels and not the gross domestic product. The objective is to achieve balanced development essential for people’s happiness. The concept of GNH consists of four pillars: socioeconomic development, conservation and promotion of culture, protection of the environment and good governance. Today, Bhutan is continuously ranked among the top 10 happiest countries in the world.
Nestled between two neighboring giants: China to the north and India to the South. Total area of 38,394 square kilometers with an aerial distance of around 350km from east to west and around 150km from north to south. There is a great variation in altitude from the southern foothills that range from 100 meters above sea level to 7,200 meters above sea level in the northern passes. According to the 2014 estimation, the population stands at 754,951. There are 20 districts in Bhutan. They are divided into four regional zones: east, west, north and south. The people of each zone have their unique traditions and culture plus they usually have their own dialects.
The Capital town of Bhutan, Thimphu, is an interesting blend of modernity and tradition. It is one of the two capital cities in Asia without traffic lights. The traffic is directed by traffic policemen in blue uniforms who show the way through graceful hand motions. Since the Fourth King abdicated the throne in 2006, and the Fifth King officially ascended the throne in 2008, Bhutan went from being an absolute monarchy to a Democratic Constitutional Monarchy. The official language of Bhutan is Dzongkha though there are other dialects spoken by the Bhutanese like Lhotshampkha, Sarchop, Khengkha, Bumthangkha, etc. The Bhutanese currency Ngultrum is pegged to the Indian Rupee. Bhutan has made a resolution to maintain a forest cover of not less than 72.5% in keeping with its policy of environmental and ecological conservation. The state religion is Buddhism and next comes Hinduism in terms of popularity. There is a minority section that practices Christianity. Source: www.littlebhutan.com - http://www.everyculture.com
Dzongs: the centre of temporal and religious authorities
Dzong in Bhutan is a complex of fortified building which served as a principal seat of Buddhist school. Most of the Dzongs were built to be strategic footholds for gaining influence of particular Buddhist schools and controlling over the region under the power of the schools. It is said to be the medieval period in the 12th century when Dzongs were started to be built in "the southern land (Bhutan)" by clergies of different Buddhist schools established in Tibet. It was in 1616 when Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, the linage holder of Drukpa-Kagyud Buddhist School arrived at the southern land escaping the conflict over recognition of the principal abbot of the School in Ralung, Tibet. He, later becoming the unifier of Bhutan, started constructing several Dzongs in the process of gaining control over the country, which was at that time dominated by clergies and leaders of different Buddhist schools. Strategic location of the Dzongs is one of the main factors that have led the successful unification of the country. Among the Dzongs founded by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, five Dzongs notably took crucial roles to uphold the authority instituted by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel. After the unification of the country, he established the unique dual government system headed by Je Kenpo (the Head of religious affairs) and Desi (the Head of temporal affairs). Those Dzongs built as fortress during the power struggles faced by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel in the process of unifying the country were later expanded and modified by his successors in order to adapt court of clergies and administrators under the dual system of government.
Punthang Dechenphodrang Dzong in Punakha built in 1637 had served as the principal seat of Drukpa-Kagyud Buddhist School and thus, accommodated the Central Government. One year later, Wangduephodrang Dzong was built to put Sha-Dagyad (eight eastern regions adjacent to Punakha) under control of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel. Other three Dzongs were built as the bases to extend the supremacy to different regions in the country. Rinchenpung Dzong in Paro built in 1646 looked after the western regions, Trongsa Dzong built in 1647 for the eastern regions, and Daga Trashiyangtse Dzong built in 1651 for the southern regions. These three Dzongs headed by the appointed administrators titled Penlops gained immense power as a result of ruling vast areas.
The above five Dzongs had been stage for significant political events and cultural development throughout the history of Bhutan after its unification. These Dzongs have witnessed important events not only in the olden times but also in the modern era. Punthang Dechenphodrang Dzong served as the birthplace of the monarchy with the enthronement of the First King of Bhutan in 1907. The recent history of these Dzongs is marked by continuous efforts of adjusting their physical structures to the dynamism of governmental and social changes in the modern times. Due to such successful adaptation, these ancient Dzongs even today hold a significant status in the country as the centre of temporal and religious authorities amid rapid socio-economic development, which primarily began from 1960s, and more recent change of government from monarchy to constitutional democratic government system in 2008. These five Dzongs presently house the offices of the respective district authority and a number of temples, and serves as the residence of the district monk body. Source: http://whc.unesco.org
Dzong in Bhutan is a complex of fortified building which served as a principal seat of Buddhist school. Most of the Dzongs were built to be strategic footholds for gaining influence of particular Buddhist schools and controlling over the region under the power of the schools. It is said to be the medieval period in the 12th century when Dzongs were started to be built in "the southern land (Bhutan)" by clergies of different Buddhist schools established in Tibet. It was in 1616 when Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, the linage holder of Drukpa-Kagyud Buddhist School arrived at the southern land escaping the conflict over recognition of the principal abbot of the School in Ralung, Tibet. He, later becoming the unifier of Bhutan, started constructing several Dzongs in the process of gaining control over the country, which was at that time dominated by clergies and leaders of different Buddhist schools. Strategic location of the Dzongs is one of the main factors that have led the successful unification of the country. Among the Dzongs founded by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, five Dzongs notably took crucial roles to uphold the authority instituted by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel. After the unification of the country, he established the unique dual government system headed by Je Kenpo (the Head of religious affairs) and Desi (the Head of temporal affairs). Those Dzongs built as fortress during the power struggles faced by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel in the process of unifying the country were later expanded and modified by his successors in order to adapt court of clergies and administrators under the dual system of government.
Punthang Dechenphodrang Dzong in Punakha built in 1637 had served as the principal seat of Drukpa-Kagyud Buddhist School and thus, accommodated the Central Government. One year later, Wangduephodrang Dzong was built to put Sha-Dagyad (eight eastern regions adjacent to Punakha) under control of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel. Other three Dzongs were built as the bases to extend the supremacy to different regions in the country. Rinchenpung Dzong in Paro built in 1646 looked after the western regions, Trongsa Dzong built in 1647 for the eastern regions, and Daga Trashiyangtse Dzong built in 1651 for the southern regions. These three Dzongs headed by the appointed administrators titled Penlops gained immense power as a result of ruling vast areas.
The above five Dzongs had been stage for significant political events and cultural development throughout the history of Bhutan after its unification. These Dzongs have witnessed important events not only in the olden times but also in the modern era. Punthang Dechenphodrang Dzong served as the birthplace of the monarchy with the enthronement of the First King of Bhutan in 1907. The recent history of these Dzongs is marked by continuous efforts of adjusting their physical structures to the dynamism of governmental and social changes in the modern times. Due to such successful adaptation, these ancient Dzongs even today hold a significant status in the country as the centre of temporal and religious authorities amid rapid socio-economic development, which primarily began from 1960s, and more recent change of government from monarchy to constitutional democratic government system in 2008. These five Dzongs presently house the offices of the respective district authority and a number of temples, and serves as the residence of the district monk body. Source: http://whc.unesco.org
Songs & Dances
Popular songs and dances are performed during lay celebrations, at friends’ gatherings or between religious dances. Men and women sing together or separately, and most of the time, songs are accompanied by dances where both men and women take part, either forming a line or a circle. The choreography is usually quite simple some of the steps can be tricky like sidesteps and tap dance – like steps. Graceful arm and hand gestures compliment the steps. The body remains usually upright. The language of the songs is traditionally Choeke, which derives from Classical Tibetan, using a lot of metaphors with reference to religious and natural contexts. The tunes follow the musical pentatonic scale. Traditionally there are two styles of folk singing: the Zhungdra and Boedra. The first one, which means “the State/ Central melody”, is very solemn. It has no rhythm and uses the CDFGA tones. The second one meaning “the melody of the courtiers” has a fast rhythm and use CDEGA and CDFGA tones. Devotional songs (Gurma) were composed by great religious figures such as Milarepa, A Tibetan mystic and poet (1040-1123) or more recently, Dudjom Rinpoche (1904-1987). They are sung in Classical Tibetan, in seven or eight syllable verses. They are not accompanied by dances as they are a means of religious expression and can be sung by religious people as well as lay people of both sexes. Source: www.bhutanculturalatlas.org
Popular songs and dances are performed during lay celebrations, at friends’ gatherings or between religious dances. Men and women sing together or separately, and most of the time, songs are accompanied by dances where both men and women take part, either forming a line or a circle. The choreography is usually quite simple some of the steps can be tricky like sidesteps and tap dance – like steps. Graceful arm and hand gestures compliment the steps. The body remains usually upright. The language of the songs is traditionally Choeke, which derives from Classical Tibetan, using a lot of metaphors with reference to religious and natural contexts. The tunes follow the musical pentatonic scale. Traditionally there are two styles of folk singing: the Zhungdra and Boedra. The first one, which means “the State/ Central melody”, is very solemn. It has no rhythm and uses the CDFGA tones. The second one meaning “the melody of the courtiers” has a fast rhythm and use CDEGA and CDFGA tones. Devotional songs (Gurma) were composed by great religious figures such as Milarepa, A Tibetan mystic and poet (1040-1123) or more recently, Dudjom Rinpoche (1904-1987). They are sung in Classical Tibetan, in seven or eight syllable verses. They are not accompanied by dances as they are a means of religious expression and can be sung by religious people as well as lay people of both sexes. Source: www.bhutanculturalatlas.org
Bhutan Cuisine
Bhutan is primarily an agrarian society that features a simpler cuisine largely confined to only four variables—the kind and quantity of chillies used, the kind of meat or vegetable, if any of either (usually radish, cabbage, potato or mushroom); and the presence or absence of datse (a local cheese akin to paneer). The most distinctive characteristic of Bhutanese cuisine is its spiciness. Chillis are an essential part of nearly every dish and are considered so important that most Bhutanese people would not enjoy a meal that was not spicy. Bhutanese red rice is a semi-milled red japonica rice—some of the reddish bran is left on the rice. Because of this, it cooks somewhat faster than an unmilled brown rice and is similar to brown rice in texture, but with a nutty taste. It is the only variety of rice that grows at high altitude and when cooked, the rice is pale pink, soft and slightly sticky. Buckwheat, and increasingly, corn, comprise other staples of the Bhutanese agrarian diet. Bhutanese diet also features simple dishese of chicken, yak meat, dried beef, pork, pork fat and mutton. Soups and stews of meat, rice, ferns, lentils, and dried vegetables spiced with chili peppers and cheese are a favorite meal during the cold seasons. Rice forms the main body of most Bhutanese meals. It is accompanied by one or two side dishes consisting of meat or vegetables. Pork, beef and chicken are the meats that are eaten most often. Vegetables commonly eaten include Spinach, pumpkins, turnips, radishes, tomatoes, river weed, onions and green beans. Grains such as rice, buckwheat and barley are also cultivated in various regions of the country depending on the local climate. Source: www.tourism.gov.bt - www.indochinatravel.com
Bhutan is primarily an agrarian society that features a simpler cuisine largely confined to only four variables—the kind and quantity of chillies used, the kind of meat or vegetable, if any of either (usually radish, cabbage, potato or mushroom); and the presence or absence of datse (a local cheese akin to paneer). The most distinctive characteristic of Bhutanese cuisine is its spiciness. Chillis are an essential part of nearly every dish and are considered so important that most Bhutanese people would not enjoy a meal that was not spicy. Bhutanese red rice is a semi-milled red japonica rice—some of the reddish bran is left on the rice. Because of this, it cooks somewhat faster than an unmilled brown rice and is similar to brown rice in texture, but with a nutty taste. It is the only variety of rice that grows at high altitude and when cooked, the rice is pale pink, soft and slightly sticky. Buckwheat, and increasingly, corn, comprise other staples of the Bhutanese agrarian diet. Bhutanese diet also features simple dishese of chicken, yak meat, dried beef, pork, pork fat and mutton. Soups and stews of meat, rice, ferns, lentils, and dried vegetables spiced with chili peppers and cheese are a favorite meal during the cold seasons. Rice forms the main body of most Bhutanese meals. It is accompanied by one or two side dishes consisting of meat or vegetables. Pork, beef and chicken are the meats that are eaten most often. Vegetables commonly eaten include Spinach, pumpkins, turnips, radishes, tomatoes, river weed, onions and green beans. Grains such as rice, buckwheat and barley are also cultivated in various regions of the country depending on the local climate. Source: www.tourism.gov.bt - www.indochinatravel.com