The People
The Bhutanese people can be broadly said to be composed of different racial elements: the Tibetan Mongoloid, the Indo-Mongoloid, and the Indo-Aryan, and other minor tribes. The predominant Tibetan Mongoloid race inhabits the Great Himalayan Valleys in the northern and central parts of the country. This racial group has formed a distinct cultural pattern in Bhutan having distinctive features of language, religion, and cultural patterns of Tibetan origin, and forms the bulk of the population constituting the dominant race of the country.
The Indo-Mongoloid settlers in southeastern Bhutan, though of the same origin as the dominant Bhutanese of the northern and central part of the country, have a distinct cultural pattern akin to Tibeto-Burmans. They speak a language called Tshangla and practice the Mahayana Buddhism as practiced by the dominant Bhutanese of northern and central Bhutan.

The Indo-Aryan settlers mainly in southwestern Bhutan are mostly Nepalese and belong to the ethnic group of Nepal. There is also a small minority of Indo-Aryan settlers in southern Bhutan from Bengal and Assam. There are other minority groups in Bhutan such as Layap, Brokpa, Doya, Lhopu, Dhakpa and Lepcha.
The Bhutanese are, by nature, physically strong and fiercely independent with an open and ready sense of humour. Hospitality is an in-built social value in Bhutan. Every inhabitant of the country wear the distinctive national dress that is finely woven from multi colored, vibrant hued wool, cotton or silk. The men wear a knee-length garment called ‘Gho’ which resembles the Scottish Kilt. The women wear a long robe ‘Kira’, which is wrapped around the body covering it from neck to ankle. Women usually wear heavy silver and gold necklaces with coral, turquoise and other precious stones. Rings and earrings decorated with pearls and turquoise are also popular.
Monks are held in great respect and play an active part in community life. They are present at all important occasions.

Culture
It is impressive that Bhutanese traditional arts, age-old ceremonies, festivals, social conduct and structures are not remnants of a bygone era. Traditional arts and craft are still practiced as they were done hundreds of years ago, vibrant and colourful festivals are celebrated as ever before, and social principles like the Driglam Namzha (age old social etiquettes and code of conduct) are still living traditions. They continue to have special significance and give special meaning in the daily lives of the Bhutanese people.
Bhutanese language and literature, arts and crafts, drama, music and festivals, ceremonies and events, architecture, and basic social and cultural values draw their essence from Buddhism. Just as the Kingdom’s history is characterized by the religious landmarks, the influence of Buddhism is evident in everyday life of the Bhutanese. Hundreds of sacred monasteries and temples, stupas, prayer flags and prayer wheels, and Buddhist institutions mark the countryside, providing a strong infrastructure and ambience for the teachings of their living faith.
Bhutan’s traditional culture is alive in its performing arts – the dances and music – which are integral part of religious ceremonies, and in the secular performances of Bhutanese songs and dances, dramas of religious personalities which hold special place in the lives of the people from national to village functions and festivals. Bhutan’s traditional thirteen arts – the Zorig Chusum – also hold a special place in Bhutanese traditional culture. Bhutan’s textile tradition – one of the thirteen arts – in recent years has gone international. The distinctive Bhutanese technique, colour and style of indigenous Bhutanese weaving has of late caught the attention of textile specialists, collectors, and users.