Culture and Society
 

Dress

One of the most distinctive features of the Bhutanese is their traditional dress, unique garments that have evolved over thousands of Years. Their dress underwent a phase of alteration and the current national dress is all a legacy of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel.
Men wear the Gho, a knee-length robe somewhat resembling a bathrobe that is tied at the waist by a traditional cloth belt known as Kera. The pouch which forms at the front traditionally was used for carrying food bowls and a small dagger. Today however it is more accustomed to carrying .small objects such as wallets, mobile phones and Doma (beetle nut).
Women wear the Kira, a long, ankle-length dress, which is clipped at the shoulders with two identical brooches called the koma and tied at the waist with kera. An accompaniment to kira is a light outer jacket known as a Tego with an inner layer known as a Wonju.
However, tribal and semi-nomadic people like the Bramis and Brokpas of eastern Bhutan generally wear clothing that differs from the rest of the Bhutanese population. The Brokpas and the Bramis both wear dresses woven either out of Yak or Sheep hair.

Bhutanese wear long scarves when visiting Dzongs and other administrative centers. The scarves worn vary in color, 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.
The Rachu is hung over a woman’s shoulder and like the scarves worn by men, they too have specific rank associated with their color. Rachus are usually woven out of raw silk and embroidered with beautiful rich pattern.

 

Arts and Architecture
 

Zorig Chusum: The Thirteen Traditional Crafts of Bhutan.

An essential part of Bhutan’s cultural heritage are the thirteen traditional arts and crafts that have been practiced from time immemorial. These arts were formally categorized during the reign of Gyalse Tenzin Rabgay, the fourth temporal ruler of Bhutan. The thirteen arts and crafts are categorized as follows:
 

THAG-ZO – (An art of weaving)

The textile industry is an integral part of Bhutanese life and culture. As such the art of weaving is widely practiced across the women of eastern Bhutan.
In the past, textiles were paid .as a form of tax to the government in place of cash and did barter business for other needy goods. Bhutanese textiles are woven from cotton, raw cotton and silk with intricate motifs woven into the cloth.
Khoma village in Lhuentse is famous for Kushithara, while Radhi and Bidung are known for bura textiles. One type of cotton fabric woven in Pemagatshel is the Dungsam Kamtham. Adang village in Wangdue Phodrang is known for textiles such as Adang Mathra, Adang Rachu and Adang Khamar while the Bumthaps in central Bhutan are known for Bumthap Mathra and Yathra, both textiles woven out of Yak hair and sheep wool.
It’s interesting to note that the people of Nabji and Korphu in Trongsa are known for textiles woven out of nettle fibers. Weaving is also a vocation amongst the Brokpas of Merak and Sakteng.
Men contribute in spinning yak hair and sheep wool into thread. There are four types of looms that are used by Bhutanese weavers: blackstrap loom, the horizontal fixed loom, the horizontal-framed loom and the card loom. The predominant type is the indigenous back-strap loom. It is used mostly by weavers from eastern Bhutan and is set up on porches or in thatched sheds to protect weavers and the cloth from the sun and rain. The horizontal frame loom and the card loom were brought into Bhutan from Tibet and are still used today.
 

TSHA-ZO - (An art of bamboo work)

Most of the forests in Bhutan are richly stocked with bamboos and canes of various species. Taking advantage of these abundant natural resources, the .Bhutanese people have mastered the skill of weaving cane and bamboo products. Locally known .as Tshar Zo, this art is spread throughout the country and products such.as baskets, winnowers, .mats, containers known as Palangs and bangchungs are all made of bamboo and canes. The people of Kangpara in eastern Bhutan and the nomadic of Central Bhutan are the pioneer’s and masters of this craft. Their products are now sold to tourists earning them additional income and keeping this craft alive.
 

SHAG-ZO – (An art of turning wood)

The art of wood turning is locally known as Shag-Zo and is traditionally .practiced by the people of Trashiyangtse in eastern Bhutan. They are famed for the wooden cups and bowls traditionally known as dapas (rice bowl) and phobs (cup). These wooden bowls are made of special wooden knots known as Zaa and are highly valued. Until the advent of steel and brass, these bowls were widely used by the Bhutanese. Today they are typically sold at craft markets and offered as gifts. Khengkhar is a small village in eastern Bhutan where the villagers are well known for producing traditional wooden wine containers known as Jandup (flask).

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LHA-ZO - (An art of painting)

Bhutanese paintings are quintessential arts known as Lha-zo.
Paintings captures the imagery of the Bhutanese landscape, apparently picturesque in every architectural piece from the massive Dzongs.to glorious temples and spiritual monasteries and even in modest Bhutanese homes.
The use of varied colors and hues in paintings epitomize the Bhutanese art and craft. A perfect example of this art form are the massive thongdrols or thangkas, huge scrolls depicting religious figures that are displayed during annual religious festivals. The mere sight of these enormous scrolls is believed to cleanse the viewer of his sins and bring him closer to attaining nirvana. Thus, it brings merit not only to the believers but for the painters as well.
The materials used in Bhutanese paint are the natural pigmented soils that are found throughout the country. These natural soil pigments are of different colours and are named accordingly. The black lumps of soil is known as ‘sa na’, and red lumps as ‘Tsag sa’, for instance.

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SHING-ZO - (carpentry)

Shing-zo or carpentry plays a major part in the construction of Bhutan’s majestic fortresses or dzongs, temples, houses, palaces and bridges. Traditional architecture uses no nails or iron bars in construction.

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DO-ZO – (masonry)

Do zo is the ancient craft of masonry, a profession which is still practiced today.
In Bhutan, temples, Dzongs, Chortens (stupas) and farm-houses are all constructed using stone. Classic examples of stone work are those of Chorten Kora in Tashiyangtse in eastern Bhutan and Chendebji chorten, Trongsa in central Bhutan.

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PAR-ZO- (An art of carving)

Par zo is the art of carving carried out on stone, wood and slate. The traditional designs crafted on these materials create beautiful and distinctive art works unique to the Land of the Thunder Dragon.
As Bhutan has been blessed with an exceptionally abundant variety of trees, woodcarving is seen in a variety of forms. The wooden masks featured during the annual religious festivals as well as the many traditional motifs that are engraved on the Bhutanese houses and on Dzongs are all carved out of wood.
A unique wood carving that draws attention from visitors are the phalluses of various sizes and shapes that are hung on the four corners of traditional Bhutanese houses and placed over the main entrance door. These carved wooden phalluses are also wielded by the Acharyas- the clowns during religious festivals as a sign to bless spectators and drive away their evils and misfortunes.
The art of slate carving is not that common as stone and wood works due to difficulty in gathering slate. Yet the slate carve is found in religious places such as Dzongs, temples and Chortens engraved of religious scriptures, mantras and pious figures of divine ones.

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JIM-ZO- (sculpture)

Jim zo or clay work is an ancient craft that has been practiced and passed down over the centuries.
This art preceded the other forms of sculpture works such as bronze and other metal works. Every monastery, temple and Dzong in the country has intricately molded clay statues from where pilgrims and devout Buddhists draw their inspiration.  Statues of deities, gods and goddesses and other prominent religious figures exemplify clay work in Bhutan. In addition to sculpting clay statues, the tradition of crafting clay pottery is still alive.
While the art of modeling statues is confined to men, the art of pottery is normally reserved for women.

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LUG-ZO – (bronze casting)

In the history of human evolution, an era of the Bronze Age had happened around 3500 BC between the Stone Age and the Iron Age.
Bronze casting in Bhutan was introduced only in the 17th century and was mainly spread through the visiting Newari artisans that came from Nepal. The Newars were first invited by Zhabdrung Nawang Namgyal to cast bronze statues and religious items such as bells and water offering bowls.
Today the bronze was commonly used to cast containers such as cups, urns, and vases. People had also shaped bronze into weapons and armor such as battle- axes, helmets, knives, swords and shields during the olden days.

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GAR-ZO – (blacksmith)

The art of iron work is known as Gar-zo or blacksmithing. It is believed that it was introduced in the late 14th century by a Tibetan saint Dupthob Thangtong Gyalpo. He is revered by the Bhutanese as a master engineer for his skill in casting iron chains and erecting them as bridges over gorges. He is supposed to have built eight suspension bridges in Bhutan. You can still see one of the bridges crossing over the Paro Chu, on the road from Paro to Thimphu, and linking the highway to the famous Tachog lhakhang. The remains of another bridge can be viewed at the National Museum in Paro. While blacksmithing is almost a dying art, you can still find the original Tibetan settlers in Trashigang practicing this skill.

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TROE-KO- (an art of silver smiting)

The vibrant craft of traditional ornament making is still designed today and is known as Troe ko. Its products are widely used by Bhutanese women. Using precious stones and metals such as corals, turquoise, silver and gold, these master craftsmen create all manner of ornaments and implements including necklaces, bangles, earrings, rings, brooches, amulets to contain ritual objects, traditional containers to carry the much chewed beetle nut, ritual objects and much more.

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DE-ZO- (an art of paper making)

Traditional paper-making is another art that has deep roots in Bhutan. This traditional paper is made from the bark of the Daphne tree and was widely used in the past. Most religious scriptures and texts were written on Dezho using traditional Bhutanese ink or occasionally in gold. While the presence of readily available modern paper has overtaken the market, people still produce and use Desho as carry bags, wrapping for gifts and envelopes. The art still continues in Trashiyangtse where the raw material is readily available.

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TSHEM-ZO- (an art of embroidery)

Tshem zo or the art of tailoring is a popular art amongst the Bhutanese. This art can be broadly classified as Tshem drup- the art of embroidery, lhem drup- the art of appliqué and Tsho lham- the art of traditional Bhutanese boot making. The art of embroidery and appliqué are normally practiced by monks. Using this art they produce large religious scrolls known as Thangkas that depicts Gods and Goddesses, deities and saints.
Traditional boot making is normally the work of Bhutanese lay men. These boots, worn by officials during special functions and gatherings are made of leather and cloth. Special craftsmen in the villages also make simple boots from uncured leather. However, this is a vanishing practice but with the government’s support it has seem a recent revival in the kingdom’s urban centers.