Cultural Experiences
Immerse yourself in the heart of Bhutan’s heritage with our curated Cultural Experiences. Explore the vibrant tapestry of Bhutanese art, witness the mesmerizing grace of cultural performances, and delve into the spiritual depth of local religion. Participate in exuberant festivals, adorned in traditional dress, and find serenity spinning prayer wheels. Each experience is a step closer to the soul of Bhutan, offering a unique glimpse into a culture steeped in tradition and bursting with life.
Art
In Bhutan, art remains an essential part of daily life that retains the purity and handcraft of ancient times that rarely manifests itself in Western Culture. Certainly, these practices evolve and adapt through the new generations, but at the same time it preserves the internal and external spirituality—full of the sacred beliefs of this mysterious land. Since the ancient era, there are 13 different types of art and crafts practised in Bhutan, collectively termed as Zorig Chusum. All 13 arts are rooted in Buddhism and believed to have been introduced by Pema Lingpa in the 15th century.
Below we have listed all the 13 types of art in Bhutan:
1. Lhazo – Art of Painting
2. Jimzo- Art of Sculpting
3. Thagzo – Art of Textiles
4. Tshazo – Arts of Cane & Bamboo Weaving
5. Shagzo – Art of Woodturning
6. Shingzo – Art of Woodcrafts
7. Dozo – Art of Masonry
8. Parzo – Art of Carving
9. Lugzo – Art of Metal Casting
10. Tshemzo – Art of Embroidery
11. Dezo – Art of Paper Making
12. Garzo – Art of Blacksmith
13. Troezo – Arts of Gold & Silver Crafts
Cultural Performance
Cultural Performance in Bhutan has its unique forms and styles which define its culture. Cham Dance is the traditional dance of Bhutan. It involves a series of masked dances, which are usually performed by monks and laymen, wearing colorful costumes. These dances are vibrant and lively and are performed during Tshechu, the annual Bhutanese festival. The dancers do not just perform to entertain the audience or to win an award, but they do it with all of their hearts.
The following dances are part of Cham Dance:
1. Joenpa Legso
2. Drametse Ngacham
3. Pa Cham
4. Zhungdra
5. Boedra
Buddhism & Religion
Bhutan is the only country in the world to have adopted Mahayana Buddhism in its Tantric form as its official religion. The Buddhist faith has played and continues to play a fundamental role in the cultural, ethical and sociological development of the country and its people. Monks are held in great respect and play an active part in community life. The influence of Tantric Buddhism since the mid 7th century has irrevocably shaped the Kingdom's history and destiny and has had an indelible and enlightening impact on the Bhutanese way of life. It affects almost everything, from arts and crafts to the system of government, from folk dances to architectural style. To this day also, the importance and relevance of Buddhism have not waned and Buddhist values and traditions still permeate every aspect of the Bhutanese culture and ethos.
Festivals
At different times of the year, the annual festivals known as 'Tshechu' take place in different locations. These Tshechus are festivals extolling the great deeds of Guru Padmasambhava also known as Guru Rinpoche. Festivals are celebrated for several days between three to five and are the occasion for dances that are purely defined in religious content. Dancers in brilliant silk costumes reenact legendary events, accompanied by blaring horns, booming drums and clashing cymbals as they whirl and leap against a background of sky and mountains. Certain festivals end with the unveiling and worship of huge religious appliques or 'Thongdrel' (or thangkha) – an embroidered painting. Thongdrel are especially impressive examples of Buddhist art and are considered so sacred that simply seeing a Thongdrel is said to cleanse the viewer of all sin.
Traditional Dress
The National Dress of Bhutan is one of the most distinctive and visible aspects of the Dragon Kingdom’s unique character. Men wear ‘Gho’, a long robe similar to Tibetan Chhuba while women wear, an ankle-length robe called ‘Kira’. The Bhutanese textile is made from fine, hand-woven fabric, with colorful distinctive patterns. Formal occasions, require men to wear a scarf called ‘Kabney’ that also indicates a person’s rank. Wearing Kabney is an important part of Bhutanese etiquette. In the same manner, women wear ‘Rachu’ over their left shoulder on all formal occasions.
Prayer Wheel
You’ll find prayer wheels all over Bhutan. Inside each prayer wheel is a tightly rolled-up scroll of mantras. Spinning the wheel is equivalent to reciting the mantras. The young and old spinning a prayer wheel is a common sight in Bhutan. The prayer wheel can be traced to Tibet in the fourth century. Buddhist texts speak of “turning the wheel of dharma” which led to the concept of the prayer wheel, a mechanical device that consists of an embossed hollow cylinder and a rod that runs through its height. Inside the rod is a tightly rolled-up scroll of mantras. Spinning the prayer wheel is equivalent to reciting mantras. The purpose of the prayer wheel is to relieve all living beings of their misery. When the mantra is recited, merit, peace, and kindness radiate through the world, bringing enlightenment to all sentient beings.
