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The people of Bhutan can be divided into three broad ethnic categories: Ngalops, Sharchops, and Lhotsampas. The Ngalops make
up the majority of the population, living mostly in the western and central areas. The Ngalops are thought to be of Tibetan
origin, arriving in Bhutan during the 8th and 9th centuries A.D. and bringing Buddhism with them. Most Ngalops follow the
Drukpa Kagyupa discipline of Mahayana Buddhism. In a country that is deeply rooted within the Buddhist religion, many people's
sect of religion, as opposed to their ethnic group, characterizes them. The Ngalops predominate in the government, and the
civil service and their cultural norms have been declared by the monarchy to be the standard for all citizens.
The
Sharchops, who live in the eastern section of Bhutan, are considered to be descendants of the earliest major group to inhabit
Bhutan. Most follow the Ningmapa discipline of Mahayana Buddhism. Sharchop is translated as "people of the east." The Ngalops,
Sharchops, and the indigenous tribal people are collectively known as Drukpas and account for about 65% of the population.
The national language is Dzongkha, but English is the language of instruction in schools and an official working language
for the government.
The Lhotsampas are people of Nepali descent, currently making up 35% of the population. They came
to Bhutan in the 19th and 20th centuries, mostly settling in the southern foothills to work as farmers. They speak a variety
of Nepali dialects and are predominantly Hindu.
Life in Bhutan
Bhutan is primarily rural and most
of its inhabitants make a living through agriculture. It is estimated that there are between six hundred to seven hundred
thousand people living in the country, which is roughly the size of Switzerland. In the capital city of Thimphu there are
no traffic lights. Population growth is low as the government encourages having small and happy family through family planning
programs. It is also considered a merit to the family if one of the sons is sent off to a monastery.
Buddhism
plays a large part in the lives of the Bhutanese. There is no separation of church and state, so the political centers also
act as religious centers. Most of the small villages in Bhutan are organized around a Dzong, which is a combination of a monastery
and government center for the village. There is a story known by most Bhutanese about how Guru Rinpoche descended from the
heavens and brought Buddhism to the people. This event is said to have occurred at Taktsang, which is now a holy sight. There
are also several Himalayan Mountains that are off limits because of ancient beliefs that gods are dwelling on these peaks.
The
king of Bhutan has made moves to open up Bhutan to modernization, but he also does not want to compromise the values, beliefs
and culture that they have. There is now a single television channel that broadcasts in Bhutan. The path to modernization
is slow, but in Bhutan most people own their home, do not go hungry, and most importantly, are happy.
In Bhutan,
equal rights exist between men and women. In 1989, a national dress code was started for all citizens. The men are required
to wear a Gho, a robe resembling a dressing gown, and the women are required to wear a Kira, a sari-like garment worn over
a blouse. While citizens still wear this formal clothing, some will wear a t-shirt and jeans underneath. In the past, citizens
who did not comply with the dress code were subject to a fine. In present times, the dress code has become more relaxed, so
now one can see people wearing both national and western dresses. But, it is still mandatory to wear national dress on all
official duties.
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