People Culture and Tradition

The Bhutanee folk can be grouped into three distinct ethnic groups-Sharchops, People who live in east of the Bhutan, are believed to be the earliest inhabitants of Bhutan. They are Indo-Mongoloid origin and appear closely related to the inhabitants of northeast India and northern Burma. The Ngalongs are of Tibetan descendant of the migrated to Bhutan in the 9th century and settled west of the country. The third groups Lhotsampas are the Nepali origin that settled in the foothills of southern Bhutan in mid 19th century. There are other minority groups in Bhutan such as Layap, Brokpa, Doya, Lhopu, Dhakpa and Lepcha.

The Bhutanese are very religious and this is evidenced by the numerous Dzongs, Temples and monasteries that mark the landscape. In addition, every home has its prayer room or alters and generally celebrates an annual festival called "Chogu". This is when prayers of thanksgiving are offered for the year past as well as for future well being of the family.

One of the least densely populated countries in the world with 79 percent of the people living in the rural areas, Bhutan boasts of people; who always have a welcome smile for every visitor.

Glance of Bhutan