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About Bhutan |
People |
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The country's population of
600, 000 is composed of three main ethnic
groups. The Sharchopas, who are considered
to be the earliest inhabitants of Bhutan,
live mostly in Eastern Bhutan and they are
of Indo-Mongoloid origin. The Ngalops
populate mostly Western Bhutan migrated from
the Tibetan plains and are the importers of
Buddhism to Bhutan. The Lhotsampas who are
of Nepalese origin settled in the southern
foothills of the country in the early
twentieth century. This ethnic diversity of
the people has resulted in numerous dialects
and languages that are spoken throughout the
country. Dzongkha is the National language.
English is the medium of instruction in
schools and is widely spoken.
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Religion |
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Bhutan is the last bastion
of the Mahayana form of Buddhism in the
world today. It was in the 8th century AD
that Guru Padma Sambhava introduced Buddhism
to the country. Subsequently this was
promulgated by various other religious
figures who visited Bhutan. The dominant
sect that came to be established in the
country was the Drukpa Kargyu sect of
Mahayana Buddhism, which is now the official
religion of Bhutan.
The Bhutanese are very pious people and
religion plays an important part of their
daily lives. Prayer flags fluttering in the
wind, chortens (stupas), monasteries and
twirling prayer wheels are a very common
sight. Religion permeates all strands of
secular life and this has brought about a
reverence for the land and its well-being.
Religious festivals known as 'Tsechus' and 'Dromchoes'
symbolizing amity, peace and compassion, are
held annually at various parts of the
kingdom at different times of the year.
These colorful festivals are a time for the
people from various walks of life to
congregate dressed in all their finery. The
most popular festivals are Paro Tsechu
(March/April), Thimphu Tsechu
(September/October) and in Bumthang
(October). During the festival, rare and
sacred masked dances, sword dances and many
rituals are performed.
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History |
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Till well into the 17th
Century, Bhutan was split up into small
independent principalities. After the
arrival of Buddhism, during the seventh
century, the various Buddhist schools began
sharing the power in the country with the
old aristocratic families.
The cleric Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel united
the independent principalities into one
state. After his death the theocracy
disintegrated and the provincial lords
fought to gain control over the central
power. Only the establishment of the
monarchy in 1907 brought peace again. Today
the fourth King of Bhutan is leading his
country into modern times.
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