Bhutan general info snow white tours

LANGUAGE
The contrasting ethnic diversity of the Bhutanese people has meant that a number of different languages and dialects are spoken throughout the kingdom. People speak more than 18 dialects at present. The national language is Dzongkha, which is taught at all schools. So different are the dialects that eastern and western neighbors can have great difficulty understanding each other. English is widely spoken in the country, which makes it easier for the tourist to communicate.

DRESS
Bhutanese men wear a Gho, which is longish, robe tied around the waist by small belt known as Kera. The women’s ankle length dress called Kira, which are brightly coloured, finely woven fabrics with traditional patterns.

NATIONAL ANIMAL: Takin
Habitat: In summer Takin lives on the uppermost limits of tree line, reaching elevations ranging from 4,000-12,000 feet (1,219-3,658 m)In winter moves around the forested valleys at lower elevations.

National animal Takin

Bhutanese woman weaving traditional dress

NATIONAL FLOWER: Blue poppy

SOCIAL EQUITY
Bhutan is relatively egalitarian society where social inequity has never been a major issue. Many social problems such as gender bias and poverty issues are either non-issues or less accentuated in the country as compared to in the region. Bhutan is a “ gender balanced” country, which partly explains why there have been no specific policies or strategies targeting the upliftment of women. Women enjoy equality under the law and in the society and their active involvement in all spheres of socio-economic development has contributed immensely to the rapid progress achieved in the country.

Bhutanese man weaving traditional dress

NATIONAL NEWS PAPER
The national newspaper, Kuensel, is written in Dzongkha, English and Nepali. A growing proportion of the people, especially in the urban areas, speak English. The current medium of instruction in Bhutan is English. However, increasing efforts are being made to write more textbooks and to introduce Dzongkha as the principle language of instruction.