Documente Academic
Documente Profesional
Documente Cultură
6.1 Introduction
The significance of cultural diversity for humanity is now being
increasingly recognised by several international organisations. The
UNESCO Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity represents the first
international instrument aimed at promoting cultural diversity.
Developing cultural resilience is also given importance, which can be
understood as the cultures capacity to maintain and develop cultural
identity, knowledge and practices, and able to overcome challenges and
difficulties from other norms and ideals.
The key importance of culture, as I perceive, includes: to instill values for
the full development of human being, to meet spiritual and emotional
needs, to temper the pace of modernisation and the negative impacts of
globalisation, to safeguard and strengthen the countrys sovereignty and
security, to develop resilience, and to promote diversity for meaningful
contribution.
Culture is a concept that cannot be easily explicated and quantified. As
such, not all variables of culture are included in this study; priority was
given to those that have a strong relation to ones sense of well-being. The
data was largely collected based on existing cultural practices, values and
norms as traditionally laid out in Bhutan. This paper attempts to assess
the strength and relevance of various aspects of culture in Bhutan
through the perceptions of respondents towards basic cultural elements
such as language; sense of identity; core values, change in values, beliefs,
norms, and customs; and participation in various cultural activities, such
The questionnaire for the survey was jointly designed by the author and Tashi
Choden, researcher at the Centre for Bhutan Studies. Some of the text from the
brief introduction she wrote on culture has been used in this paper.
** Publication Officer, The Centre for Bhutan Studies.
*
6.2 Survey
Two surveys were carried out. The first one was carried out from October
2006 till March 2007, which covered nine dzongkhags. During the second
survey, which was carried out in December 2007 to March 2008, some of
the questions were revised and was administered in remaining eleven
dzongkhags. Altogether, the two surveys covered 1300 respondents. This
paper analyzes language variable using the combined data from both the
surveys and rest of the variables are analysed based on the data collected
during the second survey which covered 950 respondents.
6.3 Result
6.3.1
Language
149
% (Survey)
37.3
24.6
9.6
8.6
7.7
4.2
2.5
1.9
1.4
1.0
0.7
0.2
0.2
0.1
0.1
% (PHCB)
27.3
23.1
5.5
20.9
1.9
1.9
0.7
2.9
0.4
0.8
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.3
Sense of identity
0-17
Count
18-30
% within age
category
Count
31-45
% within age
category
Count
46-60
% within age
category
Count
Total
58
3.4%
20.7%
75.9%
100.0%
55
325
384
1.0%
14.3%
84.6%
100.0%
28
235
266
1.1%
10.5%
88.3%
100.0%
18
153
172
151
Above 60
% within age
category
Count
Total
% within age
category
Count
% within age
category
6.3.3
6.3.3.1
.6%
10.5%
89.0%
100.0%
57
63
.0%
9.5%
90.5%
100.0%
10
119
814
943
1.1%
12.6%
86.3%
100.0%
Values indicate what is right and important in life, and influences our
behaviours. It drives the development of society, and contributes to
happiness. Traditional Bhutanese values address the individuals
relationship with nature, with others in society and individual selfdiscipline; all sentient beings need to be respected.
The survey incorporated questions that address attitudes and perceptions
of the Bhutanese people on values such as tha damtshig, which stands for
sacred commitment to others in society (Wangyel 2001), the importance
of life priorities, and the importance for children to learn qualities at
home. The survey also included questions on change in values,
justification on non-virtuous acts, and the importance of folk tales
because of the values contained in it.
6.3.3.1.1
Tha damtshig
152
Life priorities
The importance that people assign to certain life priorities or goals can
indicate where society might be heading in terms of steering the course of
cultural and societal well-being. This is addressed by asking the
respondents to indicate the importance they assign to some selected life
priorities.
Table 6.3 Importance of life goals as % of respondents
Life goals
Family life
Responsibility
Career success
Spiritual faith
Financial security
Compassion
Friendship
Generosity
Material wealth
Reciprocity
Freedom
Pleasure
Not
important
0.1
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.4
0.1
0.4
0.6
2.1
1.6
2.3
Somewhat
important
4.8
7.9
9.4
12.0
12.1
16.8
18.8
20.2
20.1
22.5
27.7
33.6
Very
important
95.1
91.8
90.3
87.7
87.5
82.8
81.1
79.3
79.2
75.4
70.7
64.0
N
950
949
949
950
947
948
950
949
949
948
948
948
Figure 6.1 shows the importance of life priorities. Family life was rated as
the most important goal in life, but the respondents think that other
Bhutanese people do not consider family life as important as they do
when assessed by them. They consider that other Bhutanese people value
financial security as the most important goal, which is in fact a
competitive goal that does not increase ones happiness. On the other
hand pursuing goals like family life and spirituality can increase ones
happiness.
153
84.7
79.2
79.3
Percent
75.4
69.2 70.772.2
68.8
70 64.0
69.2
81.1
82.8
69.7
87.5
95.1
91.8
90.3
87.0
84.0
79.9
77.5
88.9 87.7
71.1
60
50
40
30
20
10
Pl
ea
su
re
Fr
ee
do
m
Re
ci
pr
M
oc
at
ity
er
ia
lw
ea
lth
G
en
er
os
ity
Fr
ie
nd
sh
ip
C
om
pa
Fi
ss
na
io
nc
n
ia
ls
ec
ur
Sp
ity
iri
tu
al
fa
C
ith
ar
ee
rs
uc
ce
Re
ss
sp
on
sib
ili
ty
Fa
m
ily
lif
e
Self reported
Table 6.4 shows that the differences are larger between self-reported and
assessment on how other people accord the importance to responsibility,
friendship, compassion, family life, spiritual faith, generosity and
reciprocity, indicating that society is not as good as we think. It indicates
that society is moving in the direction other than what we want. The
differences are smaller when it comes to priorities that are concerned
mostly with oneself, such as material wealth, pleasure, career success,
freedom, and financial security that do not benefit others much.
Table 6.4 Difference between self reported and assessment on how other people
accord the importance (reporting very important) to the following life priorities
as % of respondents
Life goals/ priorities
Responsibility
Friendship
Compassion
Family life
Spiritual faith
Generosity
154
Self
reported
91.8
81.1
82.8
95.1
87.7
79.3
Assessment
on other people
79.9
69.7
71.1
84.0
77.5
69.2
Difference
11.9
11.3
11.7
11.1
10.2
10.1
75.4
79.2
64.0
90.3
70.7
87.5
68.8
84.7
69.2
87.0
72.2
88.9
6.6
5.5
5.2
3.3
1.6
1.4
Change in values
With the passage of time, values undergo changes due to various forces,
and it will be very useful to observe its pattern of changes. An increase in
values, such as tolerance, compassion and spiritual faith, which are
indicators of resilience, would enhance ones ability to overcome
adversity.
Table 6.5 Changes in values of people in general as % of respondents during the
last few years
Values
More
Spirituality
Compassion
Tolerance
Honesty
Concern about material wealth
Selfishness
64.9
58.7
45.9
35.1
81.7
43.5
Stayed the
same
24.8
30.8
36.3
38.6
17.1
37.6
Less
10.3
10.4
17.8
26.3
1.2
19
944
938
937
927
941
932
Table 6.5 shows that more than 50% of the respondents reported that
most people in Bhutan have become more spiritual and compassionate
over the last few years. 45.9% reported that they have become more
tolerant, and only 35.1% reported that they have become more honest.
81.7% reported that most people have become more concerned about
material wealth. This either indicates that people are becoming more
materialistic or wealth is needed because of the shortage in this area.
And 43.5% reported that they have become more selfish. If this is really
true the happiness of the people would be adversely affected.
6.3.3.1.4
Not
important
5.2
0.8
Somewhat
important
17.5
15.3
Very
important
76.5
83.9
Dont
know
0.8
0
4.2
0.2
10
11.2
84.9
88.5
0.8
0.1
948
948
0.2
5.6
94.1
0.1
948
0.2
0.2
0.2
4
3.4
2.5
95.8
96.3
97.2
0
0.1
0.1
945
948
948
0.2
0.2
0.2
2.1
2
1.5
97.7
97.8
98.3
0
0
0
949
948
949
948
948
Table 6.7 shows that the perception of the respondents on actions that are
not considered virtuous - killing, rape, stealing, lying, harmful thoughts,
suicide, creating disharmony in human relations, harsh and offensive
speech, gossip (frivolous speech), and sexual misconduct - essentially
drawn from Buddhist values, and on some debatable acts like divorce,
abortion and prostitution. A high percentage of the respondents reported
that these acts can never be justified. Divorce was the only issue where
comparatively fewer respondents reported that it can never be justified.
Table 6.7 Justification on non-virtuous acts as % of respondents
Non-virtuous
acts
Divorce
Gossip (frivolous
speech)
Lying
Harsh and
offensive speech
156
Can
never
be justified
68.1
80.1
82.1
86.6
Can
sometimes
be justified
30.8
18.8
Can
always
be justified
1.1
1.2
Dont
know
0
0
948
949
17.9
12.9
0
0.4
0
0
950
950
92.4
93.2
93.3
94.0
94.4
94.4
95.4
96.7
98.6
6.7
6.3
6.4
0.2
0.4
0.2
0.6
0.1
0.1
950
950
949
5.4
5.3
5.0
0.1
0.3
0.2
0.5
0
0.4
949
950
949
3.9
3.0
0.5
0.3
0.2
0
949
949
0.9
0.1
0.3
949
Folk tales
Rural
Count
Urban
%
within
area of
residence
Count
%
within
Don't
know
15
Total
1.5%
30.8%
65.7%
1.9%
100.0%
77
74
159
1.9%
48.4%
46.5%
3.1%
100.0%
791
157
Total
%
within
area of
residence
15
321
594
20
950
1.6%
33.8%
62.5%
2.1%
100.0%
90
81.8
80
74.6 73.8
% of respondents
70
69.0 66.7
60
50
61.0
60.7 59.0
56.6 54.2
Not Important
50.8
45.5
40
Important
Very important
Don't know
30
20
10
Pe
m
Ta
sh
aa
ig
an
g
ag
at
sh
el
G
as
W
a
an
Ts
gd
ira
ue
ng
ph
od
ra
Ta
ng
sh
Sa
iy
m
an
dr
gt
up
se
jo
ng
kh
ar
Sa
m
ts
e
D
ag
an
Zh
a
em
ga
ng
Th
im
ph
u
6.3.3.2
With the passage of time, it becomes useful to track the changes in, and
the applicability of, traditional beliefs in communities. We need to
determine whether such attitudes and beliefs are valid and appropriate
for living harmoniously together in society. If not, its practice or
promotion could have some negative consequences to the society. Some
key beliefs were extracted to document the views on attitudes and beliefs,
which also highlight gender inequality.
158
% of respondents
80.5
74.3
62.1
55.3
26.2
12.4
7.1
An education
is more
important for
a boy than a
girl
Disagree
Agree
34.8
11.7
Neutral
9.9
15.1
10.7
On the
Women are Females tend
whole, men more suited to carry drip
make better for domestic
leaders than work than
women do
men
% of respondents
71.9
76.6
Male
Agree
Female
16.2 13.9
11.8 9.4
Disagree
Neutral
159
% of respondents
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
67.3
14.1
Agree
Rural
Urban
20.0
10.3
Disagree
12.7
Neutral
6.3.3.3
6.3.3.3.1
Duezang
57.4
Visiting lhakhangs/ngyes/chortens
47.1
Reciting prayer
16.7
11.4
9.5
Performing prostration
9.2
Chanting/reciting mantras
6.4
1.4
160
1.2
0.9
Fasting
0.8
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Astrologers
Driglam Namzha
% of respondents
95
93
94
94
90
85
84
80
80
75
70
0-17
18-30
31-45
46-60
Above 60
95
90
% of respondents
80
85
74
70
64
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
No formal
education
1-6
7-10
11-12
Further
education
Respondents in the highest income bracket (income more than Nu. one
lakh) took part in local festivals comparatively less than other income
levels. Once again, this shows that higher income people do not give
much importance to local festivals. It must be noted though that most of
162
% of respondents
95
88.3
90
85
80.9
80
75
70
Less than
15000
15001-50000 50001-100000
>100000
120
100
80
64.4
60
40
20
as
a
Pe
H
m
aa
a
Ta gat
sh sh
e
iy
an l
Zh gts
em e
ga
ng
D
ag
an
Sa a
W
m
an
t
gd
Ts s e
i
u
r
Sa
e
a
m pho ng
dr
d
up ra
j o ng
ng
k
Th har
im
ph
u
Ta
sh
i
ga
n
163
31.2
20.4
7.5
7.5
7.5
7.5
5.4
4.3
3.3
3.2
2.2
2.2
0
10
11.8
10.8
15.1
15
20
Percent
25
30
35
164
Table 6.9 Frequency of playing games and sports in the past 12 months
Type of sports
and games
More than
once a week
Traditional
games
Modern
games
3.8%
(36)
8.1%
(77)
Once or
twice
a month
8.6%
(82)
7.2%
(68)
A few
times a
year
24.1%
(229)
10.8%
(103)
Never
Total
63.5%
(603)
73.9%
(702)
100%
(950)
100%
(950)
It is evident from the table that there are more respondents playing
modern games more than once a week than traditional games. But there
are also more respondents never playing modern games than traditional
games. Altogether it shows that the level of playing sports is low in
Bhutan.
6.3.4.3
Songs
The type of songs people listen to most indicates to some degree which
culture has major influence on their thinking and behaviour. Listening
exceedingly to foreign songs may undermine native and traditional
songs, and hence their influence on the citizens. Tradition and customs
are important for fostering national solidarity and security.
The percentage of respondents listening to various types of song is given
in table 6.10. Rigsar (modern songs), boedra (court songs) and zhungdra
(traditional songs) are the keys forms of Bhutanese songs. A higher
percentage of respondents listen to rigsar songs the most than zhungdra
and boedra indicating that the popularity of zhungdra and boedra
essentially traditional songs - are declining.
Table 6.10 Songs listened to the most as % of respondents
Type of song
Rigsar
Zhungdra
Boedra
Nepali
Hindi
English
Others
%
43.6
36.9
24.5
11.6
11.2
10.8
0.7
165
% of respondents
20
19.9
15.7
15
14.5
Zhungdra
10
8.5
8.0
7.7
6.6
5.4
5.1
3.7
3.1
Sa
m
166
Pe
H
aa
m
ag
a
Ta
ts
he
sh
l
iy
an
gt
se
Ts
ira
ng
G
as
a
Sa
m
Th tse
im
ph
u
Ta
sh
ig
an
g
D
a
dr
up gan
a
jo
ng
kh
W
Z
a
an
r
h
gd e m
ga
ue
n
ph
g
od
ra
ng
1.7
% of respondents
20
19.7
15.0
15
11.6 12.0
10
Boedra
9.0 9.4
5.6 6.4
3.9 3.4
1.7 2.1
D
ag
Sa
m Tas an
W dru hig a
an p
a
gd jon ng
ue g k
ph ha
r
Pe odr
m an
ag g
a
Zh tsh
e
e
Ta m l
sh ga
iy ng
an
gt
Ts se
ira
ng
G
Th asa
im
ph
u
H
a
Sa a
m
ts
e
9.9
7.5
Rigsar
6.5 6.0
5.6 5.6 5.3
2.4
Sa
m
dr
up
jo
ng
Ta kha
sh
r
ig
Th ang
Pe imp
m
h
ag u
at
W
sh
an
gd D el
ue a g
ph an
od a
ra
ng
Ta
sh H
iy aa
an
gt
Ts se
ira
ng
Sa
m
Zh
t
e m se
ga
ng
G
as
a
% of respondents
18
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
6.4 Conclusion
Some of key finding from this study include the following:
1.
2.
167
References
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and biobehavioural correlates, in Huppert, Felicia A., Baylis, Nick,
and Kaverne, Barry (eds) The Science of well-being. Oxford: Oxford
University Press, chapter 5.
Driem, George Van (2004). Bhutans endangered languages
documentation programme under the Dzongkha Development
Authority: The three rare gems, in Ura, Karma and Kinga, Sonam
(eds.) The Spider and the Piglet. Thimphu: The Centre for Bhutan
Studies.
168
169