Bhutan - Lindsay Brown [27]
1865 Bhutan and Britain go to war over the duars, which was finally resolved with a treaty that saw Bhutan’s territory greatly reduced
1865 After the duar war, the saying went that Bhutan’s border is where a rock rolled down the hill finally stops
1885 After decades of civil unrest, Ugyen Wangchuck emerges as the most powerful figure in the country
1897 On 12 June, the great Assam earthquake destroys the dzongs in Punakha and Lingzhi, and severely damages many others
1907 Ugyen Wangchuck elected the hereditary ruler of Bhutan, the Druk Gyalpo
1910 The Treaty of Punakha is signed, guaranteeing Bhutan’s sovereignty and giving Britain a hand in its external relations
1926 Ugyen Wangchuck dies and is succeeded by his son Jigme Wangchuck, the second Druk Gyalpo
1949 Bhutan signs a treaty with newly independent India and gains a small concession of land in the duars
1952 King Jigme Wangchuck is succeeded to the throne by his son Jigme Dorje Wangchuck
1961 Bhutan warily emerges from self-imposed isolation and a process of controlled development, undertaking modernisation
1972 King Jigme Dorje Wangchuck is succeeded to the throne by his son, 16-year-old Jigme Singye Wangchuck
1974 The official coronation of King Jigme Singye Wangchuck
1974 The first ‘tourist group’ explores the country’s sights, paving the way for international visitors to come
1980s Government policies aimed at preserving national identity begin to polarise the Nepali-speaking southerners
1991 The start of an eventual mass movement of Nepali-speakers from Bhutan to refugee camps just over the border in Nepal
2001 A verification process of refugees in the camps is initiated under a bilateral process between Nepal and Bhutan
2003 Disagreements over appeals from the first round of verification escalate and Bhutanese officials are attacked in one of the camps
2005 Announcement of the intended abdication and planned succession of the throne. Draft constitution released for the Kingdom of Bhutan
2006 Circulation of draft constitution and planned referendum for vote on its acceptance
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The Culture
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THE NATIONAL PSYCHE
DAILY LIFE
BHUTANESE SOCIETY
POPULATION
LANGUAGES
RELIGION
MEDIA
WOMEN IN BHUTAN
ARTS
SPORT
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THE NATIONAL PSYCHE
Buddhism permeates everyday life in Bhutan and a basic knowledge of Buddhism is essential to understanding the Bhutanese. Prayer flags dot the landscape, prayers wheels powered by mountain streams turn gently at the roadside, images of the Buddha and other religious figures are carved and painted on to cliffs, reminding the visitor that every aspect of daily life is shaped by Buddhist beliefs and aspirations. This can be daunting, even alien, for many Western visitors. The idea of accumulating merit, a deep respect of the natural and often sacred environment, respect for religious practitioners: all central elements of the unique fusion of Buddhism and older non-Buddhist beliefs.
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Bhutan: Mountain Fortress of the Gods (edited by C Schicklgruber and F Pommaret, Serindia), is an excellent introduction to the people and culture of Bhutan.
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Yet the smiles of the children walking to school in the morning light, the laughter overheard in a family house, the shy greetings from women weaving outside their homes, will quickly entrance the traveller. The Bhutanese are a warm and open people – quick to smile and laughter. As with the other peoples of the Himalayas, the Bhutanese have an infectious sense of humour and quickly overcome barriers to communication. You should not be surprised to be offered a seat and a cup of tea even if you do not speak Dzongkha or one of the other 18 languages of Bhutan. These simple acts are spontaneous and provide the traveller with both fond memories and a brief insight in to the generous nature of the Bhutanese.
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DAILY LIFE
The majority of the Bhutanese population lives in central Bhutan, depending on agriculture of crops, and livestock breeding. The