| Early records suggest scattered clusters of inhabitants had already settled in Bhutan when the first recorded settlers arrived 1,400 years ago. | |
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Bhutan's indigenous population is the Drukpa.
Three main ethnic groups, the Sharchops, Ngalops and the Lhotsampas
(of Nepalese origin), make up today's Drukpa population. Bhutan's
earliest residents, the Sharchops reside predominantly in eastern Bhutan.
Their origin can be traced to the tribes of northern Burma and northeast India.
The Ngalops migrated from the Tibetan plains and are the importers of Buddhism
to the kingdom. Most of the Lhotsampas migrated to the southern plains in search
of agricultural land and work in the early 20th century.
Music, dance, and handicrafts, both by the clergy and the
lay population, play an important role in national, village, or domestic functions and festivals.
Bhutan's textile tradition has, in recent years, gone international. |
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The distinct technique, colour and style of indigenous Bhutanese weaving is being
increasingly appreciated by textile specialists, collectors, and users.
The naitonal language of Bhutan is Dzongkha. The people also speak more
than 18 dialects across the country.Today, English is taught in the schools
and is used as the official working language, but the national leaders emphasise the development and use of Dzongkha.
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