Bhutanese are friendly, helpful and down - to - earth people whose great interdependent characteristics will be the one of the things you treasure most about your visit.
With a patchwork history of Ngalop 50%, ethnic Nepalese (Lhotsampa) 35%, and indigenous or immigrant tribes 15%, Bhutan is a melting-pot population - but one with some uniting features that make it unique in the world. Today, total population of Bhutan is at 780,481 (NSB 2016 est.) and it is growing at the rate of 1.09% (2016 est.).
With over nineteen dialects spoken in the country, our linguistic richness can be attributed to the geographical location of the country with its high mountain passes and deep valleys. These geographical features forced the inhabitants of the country to live in isolation but also contributed to their survival in the past from various invasions. Our national language is Dzongkha, a native language of the Ngalops of western Bhutan and it literally means the language spoken in the Dzongs and monasteries.
Two other major languages are the Tshanglakha and the Lhotshamkha where Tshanglakha is a native language of the Tshanglas of eastern Bhutan while Lhotshamkha is spoken by the southern Bhutanese of Nepali origin. Other dialects spoken are Khengkha and Bumthapkha by the Khengpas and Bumthap people of Central Bhutan. Mangdepkah, which is spoken by the inhabitants of Trongsa and the Cho Cha Nga Chang Kha which is spoken by the Kurtoeps and the Sherpas, Lepchas and the Tamangs in southern Bhutan also have their own dialects. Unfortunately two dialects that are on the verge of becoming extinct are the Monkha and the Gongduepkha.
With over nineteen dialects spoken in the country, our linguistic richness can be attributed to the geographical location of the country with its high mountain passes and deep valleys. These geographical features forced the inhabitants of the country to live in isolation but also contributed to their survival in the past from various invasions. Our national language is Dzongkha, a native language of the Ngalops of western Bhutan and it literally means the language spoken in the Dzongs and monasteries.
Two other major languages are the Tshanglakha and the Lhotshamkha where Tshanglakha is a native language of the Tshanglas of eastern Bhutan while Lhotshamkha is spoken by the southern Bhutanese of Nepali origin. Other dialects spoken are Khengkha and Bumthapkha by the Khengpas and Bumthap people of Central Bhutan. Mangdepkah, which is spoken by the inhabitants of Trongsa and the Cho Cha Nga Chang Kha which is spoken by the Kurtoeps and the Sherpas, Lepchas and the Tamangs in southern Bhutan also have their own dialects. Unfortunately two dialects that are on the verge of becoming extinct are the Monkha and the Gongduepkha.
Urbanization or farming?Being members of a unique and multicultural society, many Bhutanese have wholeheartedly embraced urban living, café culture, and an appreciation for new culinary tastes, fashion and the arts. We are as likely to visit an amusement park or modern art gallery as we are to attend a local football or archery game.
Whilst the lure of urban dwelling has ingrained itself on many, there is a sizable rural population and farming is a major income earner for most families. Agriculture is moving Bhutan towards self-sustainability decreasing imports related to agricultural products with readily available fresh local vegetables, grains and fruits. |
Unity in sporting field
Get Inspired by the People's KingBeside being our national sport, archery is played and loved by all from our leaders to people. There may be a chance you may like too, so come and try.
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Go for a thrilling Football ExperienceFor Europeans, you will definitely feel at home watching our home team play various competitive games, from FIFA World Cup qualification, SAARC Cup to local Premier League. For those who want to experience a football match, you don't have to pay for expensive tickets like you do to witness a derby between two Manchester Football teams in UK.
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Go try it yourselfThe world media flooded with photos of Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge trying Bhutanese local sports like Khuru (Dart) and archery during her first visit to Bhutan in April 2016. For all beautiful ladies, come find your own Duchess inside you.
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Unique Taste of Our FoodTraditionally, Bhutanese used to eat meals, generally rice with a curry, with their bare hands . If you go on a home-stay with one such family, you will have to sit cross legged on the wooden floor with food first being served to the head of the household first. You will see that it is usually women who serve the food and in most cases, the mother. Before eating, a short prayer is offered and a small morsel placed on the floor as an offering to the local spirits and deities.
However, with modernization, eating habits have changed and in urban areas, you will usually be served foods cooked in modern cookwares and cutlery whilst seated at a regular dining table. In the past, dishes were cooked in earthenware and you can experience a typical Bhutanese meal consisting of rice, a dish of Ema Datshi, the country’s favorite dish of chili and cheese, pork, beef curry, or lentils. |
We love our Nature
For the same reason that many visitors come to Bhutan, we have developed a passion for the outdoors and delight in activities that make the most of the spectacular landscape. Hiking, camping, kayaking, rafting and mountain biking are other popular outdoor pursuits. The more intrepid take to the mountains; following in the footsteps of many adventurous visitors every year. The above picture was taking during a hike to the holy Lakes of Semkotra and Dungtsho above Phajoding, Thimphu when she was accompanied by many Bhutanese including monks and college students.
Become one with UsIt suffices to say that getting to know the relaxed and friendly people of Bhutan will be one of the things you love most about your visit. Strike up conversations along your journey - a casual chat at a festival or restaurant or at a local market - it’s the best way to get insider knowledge on the area you’re visiting and you may even pick up the local Bhutanese lingo and make new life-long friends!
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