The Thirteen Arts & Crafts
If you are looking for unique artifacts to take home as a souvenir of your trip or you come from an archaeological milieu, Bhutan’s cultural heritage- the thirteen traditional arts and crafts will make a dream come true. These arts were formally categorized during the reign of Gyalse Tenzin Rabgay, the fourth temporal ruler of Bhutan. The thirteen arts and crafts are categorized as follows:
De-ZhoWhile visiting a Bhutanese Paper Factory, you will see Dezop (people who make traditional papers) engaged in producing traditional Bhutanese paper or De Zo. This traditional paper is made from the bark of the Daphne tree and was widely used in the past mostly in religious scriptures and texts with traditional Bhutanese ink or occasionally in gold. Even with the presence of readily available modern paper in the market, people still produce and use Desho as carry bags, wrapping for gifts and envelopes. The art still continues in Trashiyangtse where the raw material is readily available.
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Do-ZhoDo zo (Stone art) is the ancient craft of masonry, a trade which is still practiced today. All our temples, Dzongs, Chortens (or stupas) and farm-houses are all constructed using stone presenting a unique Bhutanese Architecture. You can see classic examples of stone work if you visit Chorten Kora in Tashiyangtse in eastern Bhutan and Chendebji chorten in central Bhutan. |
Gar-ZhoGar-zo is the ancient art of iron work where blacksmith activities began sometime in the late 14th century and it is believed to be introduced by a Tibetan saint famously known as Dupthob Thangtong Gyalpo (a master of engineer). You can still see one of His suspension bridges crossing over the Paro Chu, linking the Thimphu-Paro highway to the famous Tachog lhakhang. Your visit to National Museum in Paro will show you the remains of another bridge. While blacksmithing is almost a dying art, you can still find the original Tibetan settlers in Trashigang practicing this skill. |
Jim-ZoJim zo or clay work is an ancient clay craft which preceded other sculpture works such as bronze and metal works. Statues of deities, gods and goddesses and other prominent religious figures exemplify clay work in Bhutan. Master sculptors are known as Jim zo lopens and impart their skills to young novices over several years of rigorous training. There are three distinctive types of clay-ware: earthenware, stoneware and the china-clay-ware, in Bhutan, we find only earthenware. You can see that this tradition is nearly extinct but the women of Lhuentse and Paro actively practice it and are still keeping the venerable art form alive.
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Lha-ZoLha-zo is an ancient art of Bhutanese paintings which has been practiced since antiquity, paintings captures the imagery of the Bhutanese landscape. You can see beautiful work pieces of master painters ( Lha Rips) apparent in every architectural piece from the massive Dzongs to glorious temples and spiritual monasteries and even in modest Bhutanese homes. Paintings and their varied colors and hues epitomize the Bhutanese art and craft and can bee seen in the form of the massive thongdrols or thangkas, huge scrolls depicting religious figures that are displayed during annual religious festivals. It is believed that the mere sight of these enormous scrolls cleanse the viewer of his sins and bring him closer to attaining nirvana. Thus, it brings merit not only to the believers but for the painters as well.
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Lug-ZoLug-Zo is ancient art of Bronze casting that was active between the Stone Age and the Iron Age around about 3500 BC. We used Bronze commonly to cast containers such as cups, urns, and vases and also to shape bronze into weapons and armor such as battle-axes, helmets, knives, swords and shields. It was introduced only in the 17th century and was mainly spread through the visiting Newari artisans that came from Nepal who were first invited by Zhabdrung Nawang Namgyal to cast bronze statues and religious items such as bells and water offering bowls. Today, quite a few Bhutanese practice bronze casting and you can see various famous bronze-casted statues around the country. |
Shag- Zo
The art of wood turning is known as Shag-Zo and is traditionally practiced by the people of Trashiyangtse in eastern Bhutan. Shag Zopa, a master craftsman makes various wooden cups and bowls traditionally known as dapas and phobs from special wooden knots known as Zaa and are highly valued. Until the advent of steel and brass, these bowls were widely used by the Bhutanese.
In a small village called Khengkhar in eastern Bhutan you will find villagers well known for producing traditional wooden wine containers known as Jandup. You can typically find them at craft markets. We recommend you to experience your spicy and delicious Bhutanese meals served hot in these utensils.
In a small village called Khengkhar in eastern Bhutan you will find villagers well known for producing traditional wooden wine containers known as Jandup. You can typically find them at craft markets. We recommend you to experience your spicy and delicious Bhutanese meals served hot in these utensils.
Shing-ZoIf you like carpentry as a profession or as a weekend hobby at home, you will learn that Shing-zo or carpentry plays a major part in the construction of Bhutan’s majestic fortresses or dzongs, temples, houses, palaces and bridges. You can also witness and explore about the history of Bhutanese architecture where carpentry has been a major part in it's uniqueness, growth and sustainability over ages of time.
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Par-ZoPar zo is traditional Bhutanese art of carving which is carried out on stone, wood and slate. You will find out that traditional designs crafted on these materials create beautiful and distinctive art works unique to our country's identity globally.
You will see that various wooden masks featured during the Tsechus and various traditional motifs engraved on a Bhutanese house and on Dzongs are all carved out of wood. Master craftsmen are known as Do Nag Lopens who practice the art of slate carving which is found in both Western and Eastern Bhutan. It is found in common religious places such as Dzongs, temples and Chortens. While you may wonder that stone carving is less evident, it is found in huge grinding mills that are still used by people in the far flung villages of Bhutan. You can also come across hollowed–out stones used for pounding grains and troughs for feeding cattle and horses. |
Thag-zoUpon your visit to the East, you will find out that women there are skilled at weaving and some of the most highly prized textiles are woven by them. Did you know that in the past, textiles were paid as a form tax to the government in place of cash and people from western Bhutan traveled all the way to Samdrup Jongkhar to acquire/barter for woven textiles. Some famous Eastern villages for textiles are Khoma village in Lhuentse (famous for Kushithara), Rahi and Bidung in Trashigang (bura textiles- Mentsi Matha and Aikapur), in Pemagatshel (Dungsam Kamtham) and in Bumthang (Bumthap Mathra and Yathra). If you are short of time, you are in luck as we can take you to National Textile Museum in the capital for a grand textile tour.
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Tsha-ZoTshar-Zo is a wide spread art of weaving bamboo products such as baskets, mats, palangs, winnowers and bangchungs out of abundant natural resources of bamboos and canes of various species. The people of Kangpara in eastern Bhutan and the Bjokaps of Central Bhutan are the pioneer’s and masters of this craft. Their products are now sold to tourists earning them additional income and keeping this craft alive.
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Tshem-ZoTzhem zo is the art of tailoring and can be classified as Tshem drup (the art of embroidery), lhem drup (the art of appliqué) and Tsho lham (the art of traditional making of Bhutanese boot). You will see that the art of embroidery and applique` are normally practiced by monks in making large religious scrolls known as Thangkas that depicts Gods and Goddesses, deities and saints. Bhutanese lay men makes traditional boots made of leather and cloth which are worn by officials during special functions and gatherings. The tailors sew the traditional Bhutanese garments known as Gho and Kira along with other parallel garments and with modernization, people are even experts in sewing western style garments.
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Troe-ko Troe ko is an ancient craft of ornament making and design which is still vibrant today. Tro Ko Lopen, a master craftsman turns some of the precious stones and metals such as corals, turquoise, silver and gold into beautiful Bhutanese women's ornaments such as necklaces, bangles, earrings, rings , brooches and more. You can pick your favorites to add to your jewelry collection or take home a gift or souvenir.
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