2017 Himalayas - Bhutan Day 3: GNH, Art School, Textile Museum, Simply Bhutan, Takin Preserve

This morning we had a presentation from Norbu Wangchuk, CPO, from the ministry of Gross National Happiness. It was fascinating. The idea of GNH sounds a little gimmicky, but it is far from a simple slogan or public relations gimmick. Bhutan does not consider itself the happiest country in the world, but aspires to be so.

GNH is one of 10 ministries in the Bhutanese government. It is essentially a planning commission.  The purpose of the ministry is to develop and implement a strategy that improves the GNH. 

GNH was implemented by the progressive 4th king of Bhutan, who said that GNH is more important than GDP. The belief is that the happiness of the individual, by achieving a balance between material and spiritual well-being, benefits the nation overall. 

The four pillars of GNH are socio-economic development, preservation of culture, conservation of the environment and good governance. Each pillar drills down into several specific benchmarks.

Accountability is measured by regular monitoring of measurable outcomes. Overall, the GNH index has been rising across demographic groups, though certain cohorts (women, elderly, rural) are less happy than others. These cohorts will be targeted in further planning to seek ways to raise their happiness index.

As part of their GNH program, Bhutan has pledged to be carbon neutral.

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We visited one of three national schools dedicated to traditional Bhutanese arts, including painting, carving, sculpting and textile arts. There is a rigorous application process to assure the students have the aptitude to successfully complete the 4-6 year training programs. About 120 students attend this school; some of them are boarders.

 

 

 

We proceeded to the national textile museum where we learned about Bhutan's regional weaving patterns, materials, dyes and dress. In keeping with the Buddhist philosophy of killing no living thing, wild silk is harvested from cocoons from which the larvae have emerged. There were a couple of videos showing how to wear the national dress, the gho and kira. I would never have the patience! (Check on YouTube)

Weavers using back looms worked in an adjacent building.

 

Lunch was at Simply Bhutan, a small living museum. Highlights included the "mushroom garden" (photos available to those 18 and over upon request), and a lively cultural program of traditional dances, songs and costumes from various regions of Bhutan. 

 

Our final stop in a busy day was the takin preserve. Takins, the national animal of Bhutan, look like a cross between a goat, moose and wildebeest. Its nearest living relative is believed to be the arctic musk ox, but it truly looks like no other animal. Males can stand up to 50 inches high, and weigh up to 1400 pounds. They live above 4000 ft and migrate between Bhutan and eastward along the Himalaya into Burma and China.