Bhutanese–Americans and Preservation of Culture
The resettled Bhutanese of America have been undergoing different experiences and mixed views in a community with an assorted culture. The United States of America is a vast country with multicultural diversity. Yet unity irrespective to race, color, language or caste is the base of the strong nation. Patriotism is the distinguished attribute of Americans. They are also courteous, sincere and helpful. Every resettled Bhutanese are esteemed to find them in such a beautiful country. The people are really excited to start their lives anew and fresh. The Bhutanese are glad to adopt the inspiring habits of Americans. Without doubt everyone can explore themselves in this big community with lots of freedom but with caution. However, individual responsibilities and obligations should never be kicked off wherever one goes. Enjoying freedom after knowing its limits is wise. Little knowledge can be dangerous.
A lhotsam show during national day celebration 2008 in Thimphu The life back in Bhutan was unimaginable- full of hardships and a lot of mental unrest. The policy adopted by the government of Bhutan to seclude the ethnic Nepalis was inestimable. Hence, the eviction of a good number of people became inevitable. What followed in the refugee camps could hardly be expressed in words. Nonetheless, this miserable situation never shattered the exiled Bhutanese. Because the people were very often dancing in their own cultural tunes, there was always a sense of oneness and unity. They were always united by the cultural awareness.
Incredible but true. The resettled folks have been so much engrossed in the western culture, norms and values that they have already begun to give up their Nepalipan. If not completely forgotten, the Nepali culture incorporated in the resettled people is in jeopardy. The people are in the threshold of loosing it. How can they forget their revolt against tyrannical Wangchuk dynasty to preserve their culture? The cultural spirit should always be raised up. Time has come for everyone to either hold on the culture that has been protected so far or to adopt a new one.
I often ponder over something that never gets erased from my mind. Can we-the Bhutanese-Nepalis forget the ‘Ashirbaads’ of our elders? ‘Tika and Jamara’ of Dashain, the national festival, and ‘Deusi-Bhaili’ performed in dipawali are still buzzing in our ears. How wise is it to replace Gunduk-dheedo by sandwich and Pizzas?
Should not we take steps towards preserving and protecting our cultural and traditional values before they fade out? I have always felt the need of cultural identity. As a fact, the culture should be passed to the next generation to save our identity from getting extinct. When nobody was able to snatch our culture in the past, how shrewd it shall be to have it sold for nothing at the time when we have freedom of mind? Interestingly, we have already lost our middle name. Can we at least save our first and last name? Barack Obama, the president of United States of America is Barack Hussain Obama. He has started to use his middle name.
Although we need to act according to the preset situation, I feel the Nepali culture does not allow its follower to engage in kissing and hugging publicly. It is unfortunate that people are found imitating others without considering its pros and cons. A need of a strong Bhutanese community in America has been always felt. Has anyone realized what its base would be? We are not in bulk but are still in crystal form. So, let’s do something to save these crystals from being dissolved.
A need for Bhutanese-Nepalis to unite is indispensible at least for the preservation and promotion of our cultural values, which are the only platform of our identities. Everyone should try to adjust because ‘survival of fittest’ is a fact but adjustment does not mean giving off everything and acquiring completely new personality. It is better keeping aside nasty ideologies and hold on firmly on what helps us to preserve our identity. The importance of anything is valued when it is lost. Let’s not loose our spirit.
A big salam to Dhaka Ramji that you have alarmed every resettled Bhutanese for preserving their typical culture, feeling of ownness and the language at large. No one should even imagine to replace the hardships and turmoils we did back in Bhutan for keeping our integrity untouched and unaffected (but in vain) by modern material luxury of third worlds. Lets question ourselves if our younger generation will keep on being stuck to these. Let everyone be blessed that they find something uncomparable in Bhutanese Nepaliness ever.
I agree with Dhaka Ram!
I am an American who is helping a few resettled Bhutanese families here in the state of New Hampshire in the US. I speak some Nepali, so I am especially helpful to the older generation who did not learn any English.
One family I am helping has a 12 year old girl and a 10 year old boy. The children are quickly learning English and adapting to the American culture.
But I tell them that they must honor their own Bhutanese-Nepali culture too: the religion, the festivals, the food, the language, the music and songs, the history. Their parents and grandparents should make sure that these children honor their own traditions as well as learn American ones.
Like immigrants who have come here from many other countries, they will add to the American culture some of their own Bhutanese-Nepali culture. And this country will be better because they did.
Well..what if u marry and American […..]
Hello Readers,
I approve the notion of Mr. Timsina of preserving our culture and tradition despite being in US. It is great to see some Bhutanese working hard for good reasons.But who is behind the scene doing such appreciating job? It would be nice if someone come forward to reveal the fact. Is it individual’s effor or some group trying to do this? I can’t wait to thank those people in US bring this stuff. Saying goes “Actions speaks lounder than word”. I believe we all have this concept but to present it is something greater than just to have a feeling. I hope we should take this an example to give continuity and feel proud of ourselves.
Thanks
Can we-the Bhutanese-Nepalis forget the ‘Ashirbaads’ of our elders? ‘Tika and Jamara’ of Dashain, the national festival, and ‘Deusi-Bhaili’ performed in dipawali are still buzzing in our ears. How wise is it to replace Gunduk-dheedo by sandwich and Pizzas? – author.
It is a matter of choice, dear author. We were not sanctified and bonded by fragile things lasting for 1/3 of the day (meals). We should come together in humanity with greater justice for our neighbours as well (sharing common purpose of existance). Let us forget about ourselves, our past with tragedies or comedies and make common future with all humanity. Situations are favouring us to forget “we-the Bhutanese-Nepalis ” and renewing it as “we the humans among humans”. Leaving the very narrow definition of identity becomes as difficult as dying for anyone that cannot avoid it. But we have the heaven only after casting out the transgressor from the sight of the Holy God. Let us begin by putting the mark of Judgement upon it!
This was an awesome relevance of or cultural values by auther. this is indeed a great job.
no matter what we say and how modern we want to be, it takes a while for us to cope with others’ culture. one thing we need to keep in mind is that united states has been the nation of refugees and immigrants. those who live here have their own cultural values and norms.they have been following it, so lets keep in mind and emotions the greatness of our coultural values to protect our identity.
it was good reading.the concept of preservation of our identity i.e our culture
is apreciable.we should join hands to strengthen our culture.
108000 so called refugees are the people of Nepal who came to Bhutan during the 70and early 80s. How? Very simple! Reasons below and please connect the dots.
1. After getting rid of the Ranas, the Shahs were grabbing everything they could and once again the poor people in Nepal were the sufferers. First the Ranas and then the Shahs. So the Nepalis were going to India and also looking for greener pastures.
2. During the late 60s, 70s, and early 80s Bhutanese parents were encouraged to send their kids to school by the King. To ease the burden and to make it worthwhile, the students were provided books, pencils, erasers, dress, shoes, socks, soaps, tooth brush, combs, underwears, sports uniforms and meal in the boarding schools. Initially they were sent to places like Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Kuersong and when schools in Thimphu and Punakha and Phuentshling were opener they were then sent there. By 1987 these free bees were discontinued.
3. During the late 70 and 80 Bhutanese were going to Nepal because of religious reasons like the famous Boudha, Buddhanilkanta, Swayambunath and also some of the reincarnate Bhutanese Rinpoches also had followers in Nepal and offices there. We went there and the Nepalis were very kind and they provided us with free lodging for the nights. We said bye when it was time to leave. And we invited them over to visit Bhutan if they could. They did come and when they felt sick we took them to our hospital and they were amazed because health care was free. And by the by we told them about the schools and how the Government provided everything for free. They were sold. And some never left because they liked it.
So from the above I am sure you can draw your own conclusion.
My grandfather and grandmother came to India and near the Bhutanese border during the 1930s from Nepal and were recruited in the services of the Kazi of Bhutan (Agent of Bhutan). But because of the 108000 so called Bhutanese Refugees who came for a visit and prolonged their stay, our neighbours questioned us once in jest-I wonder. My grandfather and grandmother and parents broke their backs so that we the children could reap the benefit and along comes these so called “Bhutanese Refugees” from Nepal looking for free things and they got it and never left. In turn they destroyed the smooth flow of life and friendships that people like my grandfather and parents had cultivated for almost 9 decades. The trust that the Kings of Bhutan had in us Nepali speaking people have forever been shattered and it is going to take a while to earn that trust again.
You so called “Bhutanese Refugees” please stay in Nepal, US, New York or wherever and please don’t come back to destroy our lives that people like my grandfather tried so hard to build for us from a scratch. I can speak perfect Dzongkha because Dzongkha is my national language and Nepali is Nepal’s national language. I can also speak Nepali, Sharchopka, Bumtap kha.
Doug Hall, Hi. I can understand your point of view. You guys have already made the native Indians an extinct species in their own land just like the Aussies have done to the Aborigines. Just because you want to be seen as helping so called the “Bhutanese Refugees” will not mitigate your past wrong. Like minded people help each other.
Mr.Timsina,
Its a great job. Its a great concept,its worth reading.Thanks a lot. We have many educated people with us in our society but none of them are bother about our culture,norms and tradition as you are…Do not loose your heart go ahead and keep on writing to encourage our brothers and sisters.Lets save our tradition and cultural values.