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They
work long hours in the fields in order to produce enough to feed their
families. Other important activities include herding yaks and sheep, and
spinning and weaving wool.
Most
farmers also keep a few pigs and chickens. The yaks are used as
beasts of burden. They also supply the families with meat and milk. Since
only about 3% of the land in Bhutan is available for agriculture, the fields
are often built in terraces up the mountain sides. Cultivation practices
have changed little over the centuries, and most of the labor is provided
by family members.
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The
Brokpa community
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The
Brokpa (Dakpa) women wear their hair long and dress in traditional styles.
They typically wear red and white silk ponchos, red silk jackets decorated
with animal designs, and red wool capes. They may also wear braided black
wool jackets. The men wear leather or cloth pants under big, white
wool trousers; red wool jackets; and sometimes sleeveless outer garments
made of leather and felt. Both men and women wear turquoise earrings. The
most distinctive part of the Brokpa (Dakpa) outfit, however, is the unique
felt hat. |
The
hats are flat, felt discs made from yak hair. Each hat has five tail-like
"spouts" that allow water to drain and the head to stay dry.
Social
status among the Brokpa (Dakpa) is based on a family's economic position.
There is no caste (rigid social class) system except among the Hindu Nepalese
in the southern region. The royal family and a few other noble families
are the only people in Bhutan who have surnames. Individuals normally have two
names, but neither is considered a family name. Wives keep their maiden
names, and children may have names that are not connected to either
parent.
The
Brokpa (Dakpa) are virtually 100% Buddhist. They follow the "Red Hat"
sect of Tibetan Buddhism. In addition, traditional Tibetan shamanism
is also practiced by some. The shamanists believe in an unseen world of
gods, demons, and ancestral spirits. They depend on a shaman (priest
or priestess) to communicate with the spirits on their behalf. Most
Buddhist families have shrines for worship inside their homes. A poor family
may have only a small Buddhist image or painting rather than a shrine.
However, a wealthy family may use an entire room as a shrine, furnishing
it with an elaborate altar, lamps, an incense burner, and other religious
items.
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The
Brokpa people
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Languages |
People
name:
Language:
Population:
Religion:
Scriptures
in their own language: |
Brokpa
(Dakpa)
Mira
Sagtengpa
(1990)
61,800
(1995)
65,500
(2000)
73,700
Buddhist
99.9%
None |
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BROKKAT
Dur
in central Bumthang District
Alternate
names: BROKSKAD
Classification:
Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Himalayish, Tibeto-Kanauri, Tibetic, Tibetan,
Southern
BROKPAKE
5,000
including 2,000 in and around Mera, 3,000 in and around Sagteng Sakteng
Valley east of Trashigang District
Alternate
names: MIRA SAGTENGPA, DAKPA, BROKPA, DAP, MERA SAGTENGPA, SAGTENGPA, MERAGSAGSTENGKHA.
Classification:
Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Himalayish, Tibeto-Kanauri, Tibetic, Tibetan,
Southern
DAKPAKHA
1,000
Near
Brokpake
Classification:
Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Himalayish, Tibeto-Kanauri, Tibetic, Tibetan,
Eastern |
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Nomadic community gears up for guests
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Around 46 Merak and Sakteng locals will be trained to guide tourists and cook, as the nomadic community in north eastern Trashighang opens officially to tourists next month.
A team of around eight experienced guides and trekking cooks is conducting the training for 15 days each in Merak and Sakten for 10 local guides and 36 cooks, said a tourism council of Bhutan (TCB) official. The training starts today.
Of the 10 would be local guides, eight are class XII dropouts, and the rest are classes IX and X dropouts. "The cooks will be trained in preparing both continental and local food that blend with the tastes of tourists," a TCB official said.
To ensure that the local communities appreciate their traditional costumes, tour guides accompanying tourists might also wear the communities' traditional costumes, said officials.
Dr Karma Tshering, with the nature recreation and ecotourism division at the ministry of agriculture and forests (MoAF), said that the strategy is being looked into to create some appreciation among the hosts to preserve such traditions.
"There is a lot of appreciation and it gives a sense of dignity and pride to the hosts, when they see outsiders wearing their traditional dresses," Dr Karma Tshering said. "It has a major psychological impact and that would help preserve our culture."
Although it's still worn by some, he said, the culture of wearing traditional dresses is dying. "They just take a few hours walk to Trashigang and change into trousers," he said. "So we're looking at ways to gain support from locals to preserve the community's tradition."
The agriculture minister, Lyonpo (Dr) Pema Gyamtsho, said that they would ensure that most of the consumables, in terms of food and services, be provided by local people. "Instead of tourists taking butter, cheese and vegetables all the way from Trashigang, we'll facilitate the farmers to grow fresh vegetables and produce hygienic milk and milk products for tourists," he said. "We'll also facilitate home stays with families and basic hospitality services."
After feedback from some tour operators on "selling" Merak and Sakten at a higher price as an exclusive destination, officials said that the discussion on a special fee is still on. "But even if we stick to the present rate, we'll ensure that the rates the communities get for the services they provide will be quite high to make up, in case we don't impose the special fee."
Dr Karma Tshering said, "We'll ensure that there is minimum revenue leakage and that most of the money stays with the host population."
Meanwhile work, such as construction of toilets, will start soon at the identified campsites. Fees will be charged for using the campsites. While the capacity of the campsite might change after the site is developed, agriculture officials estimate that it could accommodate around 40 people at any given time.
TCB has already received two bookings with about 10 tourists in each group for Merak and Sakten around the second week of September.
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Contributed
by Sonam Pelden , Kuensel, Bhutan's National Newspaper, 2010 |
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