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A night in Yak Herder’s (Brokpa) house

Bhutanese are known for living a simple life but not anymore with more people opting for luxurious cars and greed for more lands and assets. Living standards has never been same for the Bhutanese dwelling in towns and villages. Even, our nomadic herder’s mind set has been changed. Now, our nomadic herders opt for more sophisticated compound bows and expensive hiking boots.
Yak herder in their house (Photo: Prof. Jill Belsky)
Life has never been easy for our nomadic herders since time immemorial and may change with time. But, Brokpas never complained and lived their life to the fullest with alpine environment, treating themselves with coveted medicinal herbs and Cordyceps. Their main companions were hundreds of Yaks, few horses with one or two Bjob-Chi (Brokpa Dogs).

I had a lifetime opportunity to spend a night in their house in Chajeyna. Chajeyna is three days hike from nearest road head situated at an elevation of 4700 meters above mean sea level in Chokor Gewog, Bumthang. They spend only two months of a year in Chajeyna after which they head back to lower elevation areas.
The houses are built of stones bearing various shapes and sizes with wooden shingles as their roof. Cool wind would sneak through the stone walls making the room cold. But, brokpas make fire to heat the room which ultimately gets filled with un-mercy smoke.
Yak herder offering yogurt (Photo Prof. Steve Siebert)
Despite their daily destitution, people have learnt to take things lightly and happily. They have been very kind in offering us tea and cookies, yes cookies, with colossal smile. The tea was followed by yogurt and delicious meal I have ever tasted. They treated us, as if we have known each other for a very long time; I was touched by their warm hospitality. Mountain people of Bhutan learnt to live harmoniously with nature and sacrificing for others.
This is what GNH (Gross National Happiness) is for me; individual people’s happiness contributing to the nation’s happiness.

Comments

Anonymous said…
wow
April 30, 2011 at 6:06 PM
bunu tamang said…
sir very true....i hv read book upon them which also share a simillir story......n they practise a "white Lie' to prserve thier rich cultural n traditionl form ............like ur post sir..
....
May 9, 2011 at 9:35 AM
Unknown said…
Dear Banu,
Thank you so much for visiting my blog. I spent most of my last summer with them in their huts.
I will be staying nearly two months with them (Starting August, 2011), but this time in Merak and Sakteng. I will be studying "Disappearing transhumance and change in nomad's mind-set after development".
I was planning to post my up coming research in my blog, but refrained from doing so, thinking people may not be interested.
Thank you again Banu.
May 9, 2011 at 9:47 AM
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