P.O. Box 879, Thimphu, Bhutan

  
     
 

CULTURE & FOOD
"Bhutanese did not inherit a homogenous history. It has diverse part of multiethnic linguistic and religious identity.

There are three main ethnic people groups in Bhutan "

    
         
  The Ngalongs are Tibetan descendant migrated to Bhutan in the 9th century and settled in the west of the country. The Sharchops are people of the East and are held to be indigenous inhabitants of the country. They are Indo-Mongoloid origin and appear closely related to the inhabitants of northeast India. The third group' Lhotshampas are the Nepali origin that settled in the foothills of southern Bhutan. There are other minority groups in Bhutan, such as Lepcha, Brokpa, Layap, Doya and Dhakpa.

The man's dress is a knee length garment called 'gho' which is sort of highland plaid with a huge fold above the belt forming a pouch that may be used to contain particular items, traditionally a bowl and betel nuts (Doma). The women wear blouse and long finely woven dress called 'kira' which is wrapped around the body covering it from neck to ankle. Women usually wear heavy silver and gold necklaces.

 
 
     

DINING HABITS
The staple food of Bhutanese is rice and vegetables with abundant chilies. Bhutanese eat incredible amount of chilies. Most of the Bhutanese prefer a dish made entirely of chilies mixed with cheese. Meat is widely eaten in Bhutan.

Common meat is beef, chicken, pork, fish and yak meat. Bhutanese people also eat variety of vegetables, including potatoes, ferns, cabbage, cauliflower, bean and mushrooms.

The Bhutanese are fond of 'suja' [butter tea] and 'ara' [local wine] which is made by distilling from the brewery of locally produced wheat, rice, and maize. Drinks are used as a part of offerings while performing ceremonies on different occasions.

  
     
 

Traditional sports and games form a crucial part of the Bhutanese national culture. Traditional games and sports such as Degor (discuss), Pungdo (shot put), Khuru (dart), Soksum (Javeline), Keshi (wrestling) form an integral part of Bhutanese life.

Modern sports such as football, Golf, Lawn Tennis, Basketball, Boxing, Table tennis, Taekwondo, Badminton, and Volleyball are encouraged along with safeguarding the old ones. Other past time games includes: snooker, pool and nightclubs are available in major towns.

Archery is the national game and so it remains the favorite sport and absorbing past time both for the young and the old alike.