Disclaimer: I am
neither cultural experts nor good writer; thus, I would like to inform the readers
that the views, thoughts and opinions expressed in the text are not meant to go
against any one. I have just written to short answer the question on “What is an
urgent challenge in my country?”. Forgive me if my answer is wrong.
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| Photo: www.google.bt |
Bhutan being sandwiched
between two most populous nations in the world, her survival as an independent
nation rests on its unique cultural identity.
Cultural identity is Bhutan’s shield against the negative and disrupting
influences of modernization and globalization in absent of military might and
economic power. Cultural is dynamic, thus, Bhutan’s cultural landscape is
changing at an unprecedented pace. Yet, some of us ask what really constitute
in Bhutanese cultural identity. And only few people are bothered about the
changing cultures in the society and nation as a whole. The traditional
animistic and Buddhist belief systems are now being replaced by modern
scientific knowledge. Change is very prominent mostly in the urban areas, both
in the form of tangible objects and intangible behaviors and beliefs. Therefore,
Bhutan is at crossword of traditional and modern world. Do people of Bhutan
know what really constitutes in the Bhutan cultural identity? Is Bhutanese
adapting the modernization in right direction? What kind of Bhutan can one
envisage in future in terms of cultural identity? The above embedded questions
are still lingering in mind of people and globalization is in their own fast
pace around the globe.
Bhutan’s cultural
discourse cannot conclude only around the religious beliefs and celebrations. There
are more to be considered; how we think, how we speak, how we dress and how we
interact with people around you. Although, the current pace of changes in
cultural identity are very fast but few people are bothered about declining the
unique attributes of Bhutanese identity. Other than citizenship, people do
share many similar salient features related to cultural and sovereignty. Most
of people have knowledge deficiency in what constitute in Bhutanese cultural
identity. And on other hand, people think of cultural distinction from others
before knowing of Bhutan’s cultural heritage. Traditional cultures are mostly
equated with life style of monastic life and some agency that are responsible
for preservation of cultures. It is also perceived as the life of past days. How can Bhutanese people contribute in
construction of cultural identity when we can’t distinct from others?
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| Photo: www.google.bt |
Bhutan is called by
last sangrila in the region. The holistic approach, Gross National
Happiness (GNH) is figured as developmental instrument in Bhutan. The country
always seeks to balance between material development with spiritual wellbeing
and modernity with tradition. And Bhutan is well known as the country who takes
very serious about the caring of the traditional cultures. Cultural Preservation is one of the four
pillars of GNH and leaders and government of the day is aware of it. Yet, in
other side, Bhutan’s cultural landscape is changing at unparalleled pace. The intense
changes are seen today in the urban area obviously in street of Thimphu
(capital of Bhutan) and Phuntsholing (one of the business hubs in Bhutan). In
some case, one can see disappearance of traditional cultures because of its
adaptation, alteration due to westernization and modernization. Let’s take living
style of Bhutanese people today; a very few restaurant of Bhutanese traditional
cuisines, more of the fast-food restaurants,
most Bhutanese men and women love to wear other fashion dresses than national
dress. National dresses are wearing only in offices and other special occasion.
People are comfortable in communicating in English and other foreign dialects
than national language. Most of the Bhutanese languages are in verge of
extinction. Almost half of the audiences
in some local festivals are tourists. The examples will go on listing. Thus, the
results of acculturation and McDonaldization
of society are seen widely in the nation.
With rapid advancement
in technology and lifestyle, preserving the unique cultures and traditions has
become herculean task. Bhutan is also no exception. As cultural identity is
made up of the myriad attributes like beliefs, food habits, dresses and other
daily activities, Bhutan should also give regard on numerous parameters of modernization
too. For instance, Youth are in commotion in accepting the tradition cultures
and modern fashions. That raises the question of how Bhutanese cultural is affordable
and attractive to present youth.
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| Photo: website |
And how many of us know the art of Bhutanese
painting and sculpturing, how can we save spoken languages which are at verge
of extinctions? What will be Bhutanese uniqueness in future? Bhutanese people
are in cross puzzle nodal of not knowing the traditional culture and modern
fashion. The experts in cultures have to intrude in the play field before it is
late. Let us learn from past and pass to
future. lets not regret. let us learn from neighboring nations. Although, there are many challenges around us, we are hopeful that
blessings from the pursuit of Gross National Happiness will save us from losing
our rich cultural. Long Live our Monarchs.
Tashi Delek.
---------------Geden----------------
geden.oiiwaii@gmail.com
