The history of Bhutan overlaps with Buddhism and its introduction.
Both are closely related. However, we find traces of human presence from prehistory.
In the 7th century, the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo built the first two Buddhist temples in Haa Valley and Choekhor in Bumthang. This marks the beginning of the story. But one of the most important factors is probably the introduction of Buddhism by Guru Rimpoche, known as “Honourable Master”, also known as Padmasambhava. He also introduced it to Tibet before. He is the founder of the Buddhist school, the Nyingmapa religious school.
In the early 11th century, Tibet in Bhutan saw a Buddhist revival. This was coined by the “discovery of the hidden religious treasures”, or terton. These treasures were hidden by Guru Rimpoche and other saints and had to be discovered in time by the right person. The centuries following the introduction of Buddhism are ones of expansion, development and resettlement of the local population.The different schools of Buddhism in Bhutan were sources of frequent conflicts, one could almost speak of wars.
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It was not until the 17th century that Bhutan became a unified state under the leadership of religious politician Ngawang Namgyal. He came from Tibet and managed to unite the different valleys in 40 years. Bhutan is becoming a theocracy with a dual government, a regime with a religious leader (spiritual power) with a monk as head and an official (secular power). This gave the country an administrative system and legislation that functioned on the basis of the moral principles of Buddhism. His death was kept secret for almost half a century, lest it ruin a young nation’s efforts.
The next two centuries will be marked by external attacks (Mongolian and Tibetan) and internal struggles between different regions, each trying to take control of the country.
This dual system came into effect with the appointment by the monastic community, officials and people of Ogyen Wangchuck as the first king of Bhutan in 1907. The introduction of the monarchy is accompanied by political stability and economic growth. Meanwhile, the country is opening up to the outside world after centuries of isolationist politics.
After several decades of monarchy, the country is being democratized. In March 2005, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the current king, introduced a new constitution without democratic pressure on the people and initiated the transition to a constitutive monarchy. He abdicates and his son must ascend the throne. The young king must complete this onerous project.
The first democratic parliamentary elections in the country’s history were held on March 24, 2008. The participation rate was 80%, although the Bhutanese, who are very supportive of their king, did not show much interest.
Although the country remains very traditional, it is slowly being modernized and the feudal system is gradually being dismantled. In the 5-year plan, political development and socio-economic traditions try to coexist. The focus is on the welfare of the people who should enjoy modernity without losing the culture of the past times. Thus the concept of “National Happiness” was created.
The Kingdom of Bhutan or Druk Yul, འབྲུག་ཡུལ་ in the Himalayas is a small country, the same size as Switzerland, sandwiched between India to the south, east and west and China (Tibet Autonomous Region) to the north. It is a constitutional monarchy.
Its name means “land of the dragon.” It is also called “Land of the Thunder Dragon”, the thunder is the roar of the dragon.
Although the small country is surrounded by the two giants China and India, Bhutan is a country with a well-defined culture that is characterized by marriage and family being very tolerant. Marriage is accepted in all forms – monogamy, polygyny (with siblings), polyandry (with the brothers), especially in the North, Merak and Sakteng. Marriage is not a sacrament. There is no dowry system, women inherit the same basics as men and keep their properties and their names after marriage. Divorce is accepted and common. In addition, the boys and girls are welcomed the same at birth. The girls are even preferred as they are seen as the best caregiver for their aging parents. Bhutanese women who wear their hair short are independent and have a strong character.
Gastronomy Bhutan
As in other Asian countries, the main diet of the Bhutanese consists of white or red rice. It accompanies every dish.
Tea is also popular, usually with milk or, true to the Tibetan tradition, barat with butter and salt, then called seuja. It is very popular especially in winter and in the Himalayan regions.
Another staple of the Bhutanese menu is ema-dern. Almost all dishes in Bhutan consist partly of chili (EMA) and cheese (DATS). DAST comes in a variety of forms: potatoes, meat, vegetables, eggs. Asparagus and fern tips are a very popular seasonal dish and side dish. It is the main source of animal protein. In another form, you can also find churpi, diced and dried yak cheese.
Although Bhutan is a heavily Buddhist country, there are not many vegetarians. It is a national decision whether a Buddhist country allows the consumption of meat or even the killing of animals. Bhutanese eat meat (pork, beef, yak, poultry). The meat is often dried for preservation.
Handicrafts
Bhutan has not developed an industry, but mainly a textile handicraft. Unlike many countries, Bhutanese crafts are for local customers and non-tourist purposes. The Bumthang and East regions are known for their traditional fabrics and ancient crafts, as well as for hand-spun wool textiles and Chhumey wares. The Bumthang region is famous for its yethra. Yethra is the name of the fabric made of colored wool, which is woven by hand and decorated with geometric patterns. Further east, the weavers are among the best in the country. These manufacturing techniques have remained unchanged for centuries and have reached a level rarely achieved in the art of weaving in the world. It is possible to visit factories where traditional fabrics are made in Thimphu and Trashigang. For some very complex pieces it may take a month to weave one metre.
Besides the fabrics, there are also objects made of wood, bamboo (in the Wandgue region), money, thangkas (traditional paintings) and a small traditional Himalayan paper mill in Thimphu.
Bhutan flag
The Concept of “National Happiness”
This philosophy was developed by King Jigme Singye Wangchuck in the 1970s with the aim of developing an economy that respects the country’s Buddhist values. While the majority of governments measure the country’s wealth based on gross national product, Bhutan takes the economic and moral sides into account. It is the basis for setting plans and economic development.
This index is based on four basic principles, which the government of Bhutan interprets equally:
• growth and economic development;
• preservation and promotion of culture;
• environmental protection and sustainable use of resources;
• Good and responsible corporate governance.
The government is very careful to keep the traditions alive. Gho for men and Kira for women: Bhutanese law encourages its people to wear traditional dress. By the way, Bhutan is the last country in the world that started receiving television in 1999.
Forty years ago, Bhutan was still a closed medieval country, very isolated, with little communication and modern infrastructure. Then Bhutan opened up to the world and became accessible for tourism. When the number of tourists exceeds the quota, the model of tourism development (one of the most important resources in a foreign currency) reacts opposite to that of Nepal. While Nepal is a cheap destination and largely open to the world, and experienced a tourism boom in the 1980s, Bhutan voluntarily limits its tourism. The aim is to harmonize the economic yields and at the same time to protect the environment and culture. Today, with a population of 690,000, an area the size of Switzerland and a GDP of US$540, it is the highest in South Asia compared to any other country. Bhutan shows that it is possible to balance cultural heritage and tourism.
Some rules to keep in mind when visiting a dzong:
– Visitors are asked to remove their shoes before entering a prayer room.
– Members must have their heads covered.
– Please do not disturb the monks during prayer and always ask permission before taking photos. In general, it is not allowed to take photos inside the monasteries in Bhutan.
– Do not touch the religious objects.
– Do not eat or drink, do not smoke.
– Avoid loud talking and don’t disturb the peaceful atmosphere.
– Most of the monasteries are free to enter, but a small donation is always welcome…
– In the monastery you should always go from the left side, i.e. in a clockwise direction.
– Do not step over a person or religious object
– Do not place religious objects on the floor.
Bhutan is a mountainous country with three main geographic regions: the Himalayas in the north, hills and valleys in the center, and the plains in the south. The country is criss-crossed by rivers and streams that are so characteristic of this area, and they also represent important hydroelectric power.
Just like the terrain, the climate also varies greatly: tropical in the south, tough 150 km north in the Himalayas. The south is subtropical and has the monsoon. The east has a drier climate with hot summers and cold winters. The center is in temperate or subtropical zones. In the north, the Himalayan regions experience harsh winters.
There are 5 seasons in Bhutan:
1. The winter, from December to February. The sky is blue but temperatures are fresh during the day and drop below 0°C at night.
2. Spring (March-May) and Autumn (October-November) are short seasons with temperatures around 25°C.
3. Summer, from April to June, is hot and dry, with temperatures rising up to 40°C.
4. The monsoon, from mid-June to late September, is leech season. The temperatures remain warm, it is rainy, sometimes very heavy.
5. In autumn (September to November) the days are sunny and clear. Snowfall can occur at high altitude.
Western Bhutan
West Bhutan is one of the most beautiful valleys in the world with Mount Chomolhari (7320m) and its eternally snow-capped peaks
Paro is the name of an area, valley, river and city. It is historically and culturally the richest valley. In the heart of Bhutan, it has many extraordinary sights such as Taksang (the sanctuary of the tigers), the true image of Epinal and Bhutan’s most famous monastery. Also worth mentioning are Kyichu Lhakhang (seventh-century, the oldest in Bhutan) and the Drukgyel Dzong (ruin since the 1950s), built to protect the valley from Tibetan invasions from the west.
The Paro Valley is also one of the most fertile. In this valley, the red rice is grown in terraces. The traditional architecture is beautiful and colourful. It is built in 3 floors, the host on the ground floor with the cattle, on the 1st floor the family and the attic for reserves.
Paro has the only international airport in Bhutan. It is a busy city and has many trades. It has a massive dzong that houses the National Museum of Bhutan.
Thimphu is a quiet town of 30,000 despite being the modern capital of Bhutan. It forms a beautiful architectural unit in which life is good.
It is a perfect starting point for excursions, hikes or to get to Telegraph Hill where thousands of prayer flags fly in the wind. From there it is a four hour walk to Phajoding monasteries, Tango and Cheri.
The Punakha Dzong was built in the 17th century between the Phochu and Mochu rivers and was the capital of the empire until 1955. The dzong was built by Shabdrung Ngawang and has an impressive amount of art treasures within its walls. The climate and mild temperatures make this valley one of the most fertile in the kingdom and it is the king’s winter residence.
Central Bhutan
This region has numerous valleys, that of Bumthang being the richest and most interesting.
Bumthang is one of 20 districts of Bhutan. In terms of number of temples and sacred sites, the district is the richest in history and the religious heart of the country. Here Guru Rinpoche healed a local king, an event that eventually spread Buddhism across the country. Bumthang is also famous for its distinctive woven shiny and brightly colored woolens called yethra.
There are four Bumthang valleys, all different but one more beautiful than the others: Ura, Chumey, Tang and the Bumthang valley (or Choekhor).
Its many historical and cultural attractions include:
Membar Tsho (Burning Lake), where the scriptures of Guru Rinpoche were hidden in the 8th century and later brought out by Pema Lingpa in the 15th century;
Kurji and Jambay Lhakhang, Bhutan’s holiest monasteries;
Tamshing Lhakhang and the Nyingma Temple (also called “Red Caps”, a form of Tibetan Buddhism), the largest in the country.
Jakar Dzong is located next to the city of the same name and is now an administrative center of the region. Historically it was the gateway of Buddhism in Bhutan.
The city of Ura closes the valley of the same name at its highest point. The way there winds through the rugged landscapes, dense forests and pastures. The beautiful village of Ura lies at an altitude of 3100 m and forms a pretty atypical architectural unit.
Further east is Trongsa, the winter residence of the Bumthang nobility.
Eastern Bhutan
The most remote area in the rugged landscape is eastern Bhutan, which is less suitable for crops and therefore sparsely populated. The people of Bhutan describe this region as: “Up and up, down, down, up and up.” Less traveled by tourists, the region is famous for hand-woven textile production using traditional methods.
Lhuntse is one of the most important districts of eastern Bhutan and one of the most isolated in the country. A hotel is located 77 km from Mongar, the landscapes are amazingly beautiful: steep cliffs, gorges, forests,… The weavers from this region are considered to be the best in the country.
Mongar is one of the most important towns in the district and has Bhutan’s newest dzong, built in the 1930’s. The construction reflects the presence of traditional architecture over the centuries.
Tashigang (also spelled Trashigang), is the district in the east of the country that is mostly inhabited by Sharchops. Formerly the commercial crossroads of the roads between Assam and Tibet, the city remains a strategic point for trade with India. This explains why the region has one of the highest population densities in the country, despite the harsh climatic and geographic conditions.
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