Page 17 - Bhutan Destination Guide - Alluring Asia

CULTURE & THE ARTS Do zo Do zo as it is widely known is an old craft that is still being Zorig Chusum: the thirteen traditional crafts of Bhutan practiced today by the Bhutanese. Just as the many PAGE 3-7 Though the thirteen traditional arts and crafts were practiced right from temples and palaces that have Population | Time | Visas the immemorial times, it is commonly understood that it was formally History | Religion categorized during the reign of Gyalse Tenzin Rabgay, the fourth been built in stone the world over, the Bhutanese temples, temporal ruler of Bhutan. The thirteen arts and crafts are categorized as PAGE 8 Dzongs, the Chortens or the Language follows: stupas and the farm houses are PAGE 9 Shing zo all built of stones. Indeed no Climate construction ever takes place When considering the history of human dwellings, the use of timber without the use of stones. PAGE 10 predates the use of stones. Evidence of buildings framed with timber can Classic examples of stone work The Land be found in many countries, including even the pyramids of Egypt. Most virgin primeval forests that existed were used for structural framework are those of Chorten Kora in PAGE 11 Tashiyangtse in eastern Bhutan and this began to develop into an art. Large temples were built simply The People | What to Pack | and Chendebji chorten in using timber and without any metal fasteners. Instead, they were joined PAGE 12 together using notches with thick pegs and nails made of wood, and central Bhutan. Currency | Credit Cards these wooden structures were designed to last for centuries. Slowly, in Changing Money | Tipping De zo Insurance many countries, woodwork became a profession and the craftsmen became the engineers, architects, carpenters and builders of their age. Paper-making is another art PAGE 13 However, by the mid-nineteenth century, this craft began to disappear that has found roots in Bhutan. Etiquette | Safety & theft from many parts of the world as mechanization of works began when People engaged in producing the traditional Bhutanese paper PAGE 14 many industries appeared. Communications | Media or De zo are known as Dezop. While most people across the world are trying to rediscover and learn Traditional papers were widely PAGE 15 the secrets of this old tradition, the Bhutanese still practice this ancient used in the past and most of the Shopping | Customs religious scriptures and texts Bartering art termed shingzo. The master craftsman known locally as Zow chen and Zows are instrumental in fashioning intricate designs that goes into were written on Dezho’s using PAGE 16 the construction of our fortresses-the Dzongs, our palaces, our temples traditional Bhutanese ink and at Food & Drinks and monasteries and the traditional Bhutanese farm houses. The Dzongs times in gold. While the presence of readily available PAGE 17-21 that have its origin in the 17th century features some of the most Culture & The Arts | Religion elaborate wood works and designs that draw appreciation not only from modern paper has overtaken the Bhutanese populace but from outside visitors as well. the market, yet people still produce Deshos which is used People interested in becoming carpenters serve as apprentice under a as carrying bags, wrappers for master carpenter for a few years till they develop the confidence to gifts and even used as envelopes. The art still practice the skills on their own. Master carpenters are found all over the continues in Trashiyangtse kingdom and for every important structure to be raised they are called upon to contribute. A master carpenter who is still revered today is the where the raw material is Zow Balep, whose architectural skills can still be witnessed today in the readily available. ancient fortress of Punakha Dzong.