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Bhutan
- Ethnic Groups & People
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Bhutan's People |
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Bhutan Information |
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Chengala
and Chudrukla: Peas in a pod
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Chengala and Chudrukla dancing at home
Everyone
is Choskhor valley, Bumthang, knows the Chengala and Chudrukla brothers.
Chengala and Chudrukla means 15 and 16 in Dzongkha but the brothers are
not teenagers; they are aged 61 and 52 years and they live with their mother.
Robed
in old soiled ghos the brothers are a familiar sight in the valley, the
elder leading the younger, the right hand tucked into their hemchu (gho
pocket). They are always present for any social gathering in the valley
be it tshechus or celebrations. Sometimes they also show up for important
official meetings. |
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On auspicious days (Duezangs), they can be seen at lhakhangs and chortens
circumambulating and turning the prayer wheels (Mani Lakhor).
The
brothers have always been together, like peas in a pod, since they were
little boys. People see them as entertainers. When given money Chengala
breaks into a song and a dance and Chudrukla tries to ape his brother.
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the brothers are mentally retarded. Chudrukla cannot speak and Chengala
manages to mumble a few Bumthap words. They, however, understand each other
very well.
"They
have been like that from birth," said their mother, Choenzom, who is 95-years-old.
"When they were young, they used to sing into the night and they had good
voices." |
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The
brothers go to the forest every now and then to fetch firewood for their
mother. Their neighbours say that Chudrukla is seen sometimes in the forest
alone mumbling prayers to the beating of a plate. Some neighbours say that
they have seen him sitting under a tree with a bear.
The
brothers are known to stay indoors at night. But recently Chudrukla was
seen walking down to Chamkhar town alone shouting as if he was singing
a sad song. Most people suspected that he might have had a misunderstanding
with his brother or mother.
The
brothers and their mother live in a barkle house built for them by the
Queen Mother. They have also been provided with rations and other necessities.
Chengala
and Chudrukla have a middle brother, a farmer, who lives with his family
nearby their home. Although the brothers are always seen at social gatherings
they don't drink, smoke or chew doma. They just eat the food if served
to them and dance and sing if people ask them to.
"It
is always good to see them," said a neighbour. "They never seem to be unhappy
or fall sick."
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| Contributed
by Rinzin Wangchuk, Kuensel, Bhutan's National Newspaper |
| Information on Bhutan |
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