Dressing Bhutanese

I've promised a photo of me in traditional dress, and finally here it is.  Some of you have told me you think having to dress in a prescribed manner is way too restrictive, but I’m not seeing that as so.  Bhutan is a tiny kingdom surrounded by countries with very different cultures. They have made it a priority to maintain their own culture and traditions, and their age-old style of dress is a part of that.  Traditional dress is required only for business, formal, and religious occasions; leisure time allows any style of dress (which for the younger population is mostly jeans and T-shirts).  And the fabrics, colors, and patterns are so beautiful and varied, there is much room for personal expression. 

Me in one of my four (so far!) kiras

Traditional dress for women includes a kira, tego, and wanju.  In the past, the kira was a complete jumper-style dress, but these days, the half-kira, a skirt, has become the style.  The traditional kira is simply a long rectangle of fabric that gets folded in a tricky (for the Western novice) way to become a full-length skirt.  Even the Bhutanese woman are switching to the "hook system" to make it simpler.  For about $2.50 USD, a tailor sews on Velcro and a series of hooks and eyes (for variance in size), and puts in a few darts for shaping, and then the kira can simply be put on without the folding or a special belt to hold it in place. 

The tego is a jacket that is worn over the wanju, a blouse.  Oftimes, especially in the warmer months, tegos may be worn without the wanju (like in my photo).  It is generally fastened with a beautiful brooch.

Bhutanese men wear a gho.  To see that, as well as other kiras, you might look at some of the many photos on the internet.

And while we’re talking about dress, Bhutanese dress their houses quite elaborately as well.  Even the simplest homes have wooden trim and beautiful artwork adorning the windows and pillars.

House wall in Thimphu -- yes, that is a giant phallus!

  There is a traditional design inspired by “the divine madman” Drukpa Kunley ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drukpa_Kunley )  that always prompts surprise and a smile from foreign visitors.  The "thunderbolt of divine wisdom" is purported to drive away evil spirits as well as be a symbol of strength and fertility.

Close-up of the Thunderbolt of Divine Wisdom