A Detailed View About People In Bhutan

Bhutan’s unique geographical isolation has caused it to stay cut off from the rest of the world. Bhutan is a nation that is passionately protective of its distinct character and independence. Thus, the isolation of the place is largely self-inflicted. Foreigners were not allowed to enter the country till the last few decades of the twentieth century because the government was so stringent about preserving its cultural character. The main Bhutanese languages are Sharchop and Dzongkha, which are spoken by the majority of Bhutanese people.These languages are closely related to Tibigan, and monks in Bhutan used to write a centuries-old Tibetan dialect known as Chhokey.

People of Bhutan

Based on ethnicity People of Bhutan can be grouped into 3 groups  based on ethnicity namely, the Tshanglas, Ngalops, and Lhotshampas .

The Tshanglas, generally known as Sharchops, are the native people of eastern Bhutan. Tshanglas, according to past history, are Lord Brahma’s offspring and they speak Tshanglakha. They are primarily found in Bhutan’s eastern regions. Weaving is a prominent profession of their women and lovely silk and raw silk fabrics are produced.

Ngalops: The Ngalops are Tibetans who have largely settled in the six western Bhutanese areas. They speak the language Ngalopkha, a refined form of Dzongkha, which is Bhutan’s native language. Their primary source of income is agriculture. Rice, wheat, barley, and maize, as well as some other varieties of other crops  are grown by them. They are famed for their Lozeys, or decorative speech, and Zheys, or their unique dance form.

Lhotshampas: The Lhotshampas have made their home in Bhutan’s southern foothills. They follow Hinduism and speak the language Lhotshampa (Nepali). The Bhawans, Chhetris, Limbus ,Rais, Tamangs, Gurungs, and Lepchas are among the different lineages that make up their society. They are now primarily employed in agriculture, growing cash crops like  ginger, cardamom, and oranges.

Bhutanese Women’s Empowerment and Gender Equality

Bhutan is known as ‘Land of Thunder Dragon’ and is notable for its gender equality and significant emphasis on women empowerment, promoting an utopian society, free of class and caste hierarchies. Bhutan supports childbirth regardless of gender, and its women work in a variety of fields, ranging from medicine and engineering to farming and entrepreneurship. The legislation forbids any type of discrimination against women, including political, social, economic, and legal discrimination.

Since its inception in 1981, the National Women’s Association of Bhutan (NWAB) has promoted equal involvement of men and women in all judgement processes in Bhutanese society. According to recent figures, women’s participation in the grassroots level of society is at a staggering 70%. Around 46% of Bhutanese girls are enrolled in primary school, making the country one of the leading proponents of women’s empowerment. Bhutan is also one of the few Asian countries with vigorous national initiatives promoting motherhood, reproductive health, and STD prevention. Part of a matriarchal society, Bhutanese women control the majority of land, buildings, and business permits.

Since its inception in 1981, the National Women’s Association of Bhutan (NWAB) has promoted equal involvement of men and women in all judgement processes in Bhutanese society. According to recent figures, women’s participation in the grassroots community level of society is at a staggering 70%. Around 46% of Bhutanese girls are enrolled in primary school, making the country one of the leading proponents of women’s empowerment. Bhutan is  one of the Asian countries with vigorous national initiatives promoting motherhood, reproductive health, and STD prevention. Bhutanese women control the majority of land, buildings, and business permits due to the country’s matriarchal society.

The primary religion is Vajrayana Buddhism. Vajrayana Buddhism, a thriving faith greatly influenced by Tibet’s neighbouring region, aspires to develop every aspect of Bhutanese life through its sacred teachings. Despite the fact that it is largely a Buddhist country, you can still find people practising animistic customs and rituals such as nature worship and other deities. Religious institutions are a significant element of Bhutanese society, with monks and lamas playing a key role in people’s daily life. The lamas play a major role in Bhutanese society, from naming their children to performing religious rites and arranging scholarships.

Bhutanese society is devoid of caste or class divisions. Slavery was terminated by a royal edict issued by the Third King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck in the early 1950s. Bhutanese culture has always boasted of gender equality. In general, it is a generous and open community.

Understanding some recognised rules in Bhutanese society, such as Driglam Namzha, the classic code of etiquette, is a good start. Driglam Namzha instils in people a code of conduct that they should follow as members of a civilised community.

Conclusion

Bhutan is known as ‘Land of Thunder Dragon’ and is notable for its gender equality and significant emphasis on women empowerment, promoting an utopian society that is free of class  and caste hierarchies. Based on ethnicity, the people of Bhutan can be grouped into 3 groups  – the Tshanglas, Ngalops, and Lhotshampas . The primary religion is Vajrayana Buddhism. Vajrayana Buddhism aspires to develop every aspect of Bhutanese life through its sacred teachings.