In many ways, Bhutanese art has remained intact and true to its original form because it is very deeply rooted in the Bhutanese’ belief in Vajrayana Buddhism. The divine being that is often depicted in paintings and sculptures are assigned specific symbols, shapes, colors, or an attached object that is repetitive in Buddhism such as the begging bowl, conch shell, and thunderbolt. The divine depictions are often very structured, however, the artist is freer to play with his depiction of the demon world.
There are thirteen traditional arts and crafts in Bhutan, carefully protected, preserved, and passed on by Bhutan’s culture. Identified as the zorig chosum (zo means the ability to make, rig means science), the thirteen crafts are painting, paper making, weaving, sculpting, carpentry, woodcarving, embroidery, calligraphy, casting, goldsmithing, bamboo or cane weaving, masonry, and blacksmithing.
Here’s a closer look at 5 of them:
1. Tshem-zo
Tshem-zo or needlework is a general category that refers to the art of making clothes, boots, or embroidery for thangkas. Tshem-zo can be found in the textiles used to produce clothes, as well as the clothing itself such as the kira, the traditional dress for women, and the gho, the traditional clothing for men. Historically, embroidery and applique were practiced by monks, however, women in small villages have made it into a cottage industry. Many of the most important tshem-zos can be found in the National Textile Museum in Thimpu, the capital, just beside the National Library.
If you’re interested in learning the art of tshem-zo, you can go to Druk Tshemzo Training Institute, where monks can teach you basic tailoring, boot making, upholstery, and the creation of religious costumes. Drop by the Druk Tshemzo Enterprise, which sells items such as bags and boots.
National Textile Museum
Address: Norzin Lam, Thimpu, Bhutan
Price: SAARC national/adult 50/250 BTN (from 3.74 USD)
Opening Hours: 9 am-4 pm Mon-Sat
Contact: +65-88888888
Website: National Textile Museum
2. De-zo
De-zo or the art of paper making was an important factor in spreading Buddhism in Bhutan because most of the ancient religious scriptures and texts, such as prayer books, were written on handmade paper from the bark of the daphne and dekhap trees. Many of the scriptures used gold or traditional Bhutanese ink. And while there are commercial paper products out there, De-zo continues to thrive with letterheads and envelopes from known as deysho, which are considered more durable and insect resistant than the commercial products out there.
The deysho are also used in festivals or tshechus, with ornamental derivatives, such as leaves, flowers and other motifs, applied to it.
Those who are interested in the ancient art of the de-zo can learn the basics at Jungshi Paper Factory. This is just 1 km (0.6 mi) from the city center of Thimpu. Workers will demonstrate how paper was made. You can try your hand at it, or just buy souvenirs such as greeting cards and stationery for 80 to 200 BTN or an average of 3.00 USD.
Jungshi Paper Factory
Address: Namtag Lam, Thimphu, Bhutan
Opening Hours: 8.30 am-1 pm & 1.30-5 pm Mon-Sat
Contact: +975 17 60 03 95
Website: Jungshi Paper Factory
3. Troe-ko
Troe-ko is essentially the art of jewelry and ornament-making. Women in Bhutan use stones, such as turquoise, and integrate it into silver and gold. Of particular value though is the zhi or dzi stone, which was originally from Tibet, but its mysticism spread to Bhutan. They are usually found in grasslands or in fields. No one really knows how to source them, or where they come. This is why it’s one of the most sought-after stones in the world. They are said to attract wisdom and wealth.
The master craftsmen in jewelry and ornament making are called Tro Ko Lopen, and they mostly make functional items such as betel nut containers and amulet containers, as well as more aesthetic pieces for brooches, bangles, rings, bracelets, and necklaces. If you’re interested in purchasing, you can go to the National Handicrafts Emporium in Thimpu where they sell all types of jewelry and metal items.
National Handicrafts Emporium
Address: Nordzin Lam POB 771, Thimphu, Bhutan
Opening Hours: 9 am–5 pm
Contact: +975 2 323 245
Website: National Handicrafts Emporium
4. Shing-zo
Shing-zo, or wood work, is perhaps the most functional of the thirteen crafts. Detailed wood work graces much of Bhutanese architecture such as dzongs, temples, bridges, and palaces. Domestically, carpenters were called by their neighbors to draft and create house plans, doubling as an architect in Bhutan. Drawings or plans weren’t common though. Neighbors usually talked about the desired structure, and direct measurements were made on the materials themselves. Large establishments including temples and palaces used a technique that didn’t make use of metal braces or fasteners, but large, wooden nails.
Carpentry is part of Bhutan’s national identity. It is said that the people from Tashi Yangtse or Trashiyangtse in Eastern Bhutan are known to be the finest carpenters and wood workers in the country. It is also the base of a major art school, The School of Traditional Arts, or Rigne School. The school specializes in wood work such as wood sculpture, wood-turning, and lacquer-work. If you’re interested in the fine art of wood joinery, which the Bhutanese have perfected, you can visit the school. Please make an appointment before or coordinate with your tour guide to make it part of your itinerary.
The School of Traditional Arts
Address: Kabesa Lam, Thimphu, Bhutan (Main Campus)
Contact: +975 2 380 219
Website: The School of Traditional Arts
5. Lha-zo
The lha-zo, or painting is perhaps the oldest known art form in Bhutan. Painting serves an important religious purpose, covering dzong, temples, and monasteries, and even the homes of many Bhutanese people. The most apparent function though is in the painting of the thangka, sacred scrolls that depict important Buddhist figures such as Guru Rinpoche or Terton Pema Lingpa. Thangkas are displayed during tshechus or religious festivals. They are said to be so powerful that a glance at the thangka unveiled on the last day of the festival will absolve the sins of all those who look at it. Painters gain merit because of this.
Like a good part of Bhutanese beliefs, the painting’s organic materials play a big part in the planning and creation of the work. Bhutanese painters only use organic materials as they believe that the power that comes from the earth should return to the earth. Only natural soil pigments such as sa na (black soil) and tsag sa (red soil) are used. The painters are known as lha-rips.
National Institute for Dzorig Chusum
Address: Pedzoe Lam, Thimphu, Bhutan
Contact: 02-322302
Website: National Institue for Dzorig Chusum
Impressive, ancient skill
All of the thirteen traditional arts have been handed down from century to century. The Bhutanese focus, not on innovating, but passing on the skill set of each district. For example, Thimpu is famous for silver and gold works; Bumthang is famous for wool and other weaving. The pride in their art form are in the continued collective stories that each generation has passed on to their children, and their children after that.
History
Get Trip101 in your inbox
Unsubscribe in one click. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data
Create an account to