The Kingdom of Bhutan is a land-locked country surrounded by China (Tibet) to the north and India to the South. Making up 50% of the population, the majority of Bhutan are the Bhote, or Bhutia. Bhote is a term derived from Bhot, which is the early name for the Tibetan region. The Bhote possess a Mongoloid appearance of straight black hair, little facial hair, and “slanting” eyes. The term Bhote is often used as a generic term to describe anyone of Tibetan culture or Mongoloid appearance. There are at least six different ethnic groups and one subgroup that are referred to as Bhutia. In this instance the term is used to describe a specific group that inhabits the foothills of the Himalayas bordering Tibet.
During the ninth century, Tibetan troops were sent to conquer the Bhutan region. Following the Tibetan troops across the Himalayas were farmers, herdsmen and Buddhist priests. Intermarriage occurred with the inhabitants of Indian descent occupying Bhutan and the Bhote’s ancestors were established. With the Tibetan immigrants came traditions of agriculture, livestock raising, trade, Mahayana Buddhism, and the language Dzongkha, thus establishing the predominant cultural characteristics seen today.
Living in the mountainous area of the Himalayas greatly affects the daily lives of the Bhote. Agriculture is the main component of Bhutan’s economy and the staple activity found in Bhote culture. The crops of the Bhote are raised on terraced mountain slopes in narrow river valleys of the Himalayan geography. Rice, corn, and potatoes are the main crops cultivated. Livestock raising and herding are also greatly relied upon, especially in the inhospitable regions of the higher Himalayas. The two key animals bred and raised are cattle and yaks. Woodcarving, metalwork, and weaving are practiced by the Bhote and provided goods as a means of trade. Seasonal trade was leaned on as a source of additional income and food prior to the closing of the Bhutan-China border in 1960. Formal trade with India replaced trade with Tibet but some barter trade still exists.
The agricultural communities of the Bhote are small villages and isolated homesteads separated by the surrounding mountainous barriers. Practices within these isolated communities include monogamy with marriage at the age of 16 for women and 21 for men. The newlyweds will establish their home with either the groom or bride’s family depending where the most labor is needed. If the couple’s agricultural labor is not needed they will establish their own homestead.
The Bhote’s Mongoloid physical appearance resembles their laborious lifestyle in the mountains. The loose garment worn by the women, called a kira, includes a colorful woven piece of cloth that wraps around the body. The men wear a long loose coat fastened up with a belt bearing a knife. The coat is referred to as a go and it is worn at the knees during the day and let down at night. The bodies of the Bhote men and women are built, tall, and athletic due to the hillside work of farming and herding.
The bulk of the Bhote practice Mahayana Buddhism as their religion, also called Tibetan Buddhism or Lamaism. Mahayana means greater vehicle and is a form of Buddhism based on Buddha’s example rather than his statements. Mahayana Buddhism also embodies pre-Buddhist shamanism known as Bon. The Dalai Lama being revered as the people’s spiritual king is a key feature of Mahayana Buddhism. The Dalai Lama was also held head of state until 1959. Bhutan is now a monarchy with a king and foreign minister running the affairs of state and government, but lamas still exercise powerful influence on these affairs.
As the largest ethnic tribe inhabiting Bhutan, the Bhote set what is considered the countries practices and beliefs. This includes agricultural, community and religious practices. Various Tibetan dialects as well as Nepalese dialects exist in Bhutan, but the official language Dzongkha is also established by the Bhote majority.
References:
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By Kathryn Converse