Bhutanese mother uses her traditional kira to carry her child. Women wear an ankle-length dress, the kira, which is clipped at one shoulder and tied at the waist. An accompaniment to the kira is a long-sleeved blouse, the toego, which is worn underneath the outer layer.

Bhutanese kid wearing gho.

Bhutanese kids.

About 80% of Bhutanese are farmers.

Chilies drying over a house entrance way with a Bhutanese woman sunning herself with her cat in hand.

Bhutanese men wearing traditional dress. The national dress for Bhutanese men is the gho, a knee-length robe tied at the waist by a cloth belt known as the kera.

Bhutanese men wearing traditional dress. The national dress for Bhutanese men is the gho, a knee-length robe tied at the waist by a cloth belt known as the kera.

Bhutanese man wearing traditional dress. The national dress for Bhutanese men is the gho, a knee-length robe tied at the waist by a cloth belt known as the kera.

Bhutanese kids.

Weaving is such an integral part of Bhutan's cultural identity that it is sometimes described as a cloth-based culture. Bhutan's weavers, almost all women, are renowned for producing a range of interesting and beautiful textiles in vibrant colours and patterns. These fabrics, which until recently were largely unknown outside of Bhutan, are so exceptional that they are featured in several private collections and museums in Europe and America. Bhutanese weaving has developed, with new designs and colors, but weavers still produce the same items their ancestors did centuries ago.

Weaving is such an integral part of Bhutan's cultural identity that it is sometimes described as a cloth-based culture. Bhutan's weavers, almost all women, are renowned for producing a range of interesting and beautiful textiles in vibrant colours and patterns. These fabrics, which until recently were largely unknown outside of Bhutan, are so exceptional that they are featured in several private collections and museums in Europe and America. Bhutanese weaving has developed, with new designs and colors, but weavers still produce the same items their ancestors did centuries ago.

Bhutan is intensely agrarian. About 80% of Bhutanese are farmers.

Bhutan is intensely agrarian. About 80% of Bhutanese are farmers. Punaka Dzong in background.

Bhutan is intensely agrarian. About 80% of Bhutanese are farmers. With fall season time, Bhutanese farming ladies take organic fertilizer to the fields.

The national dress for Bhutanese men is the gho, a knee-length robe tied at the waist by a cloth belt known as the kera. Women wear an ankle-length dress, the kira, which is clipped at one shoulder and tied at the waist. An accompaniment to the kira is a long-sleeved blouse, the toego, which is worn underneath the outer layer. Social status and class determine the texture, colours, and decorations that embellish the garments. Differently coloured scarves and shawls are important indicators of social standing, as Bhutan has traditionally been a feudal society. Jewellery is mostly worn by women, especially during religious festivals (tsechus) and public gatherings. To strengthen Bhutan's identity as an independent country, Bhutanese law requires all Bhutanese citizens to wear the national dress in public areas and as formal wear.

The national dress for Bhutanese men is the gho, a knee-length robe tied at the waist by a cloth belt known as the kera. Women wear an ankle-length dress, the kira, which is clipped at one shoulder and tied at the waist. An accompaniment to the kira is a long-sleeved blouse, the toego, which is worn underneath the outer layer. Social status and class determine the texture, colours, and decorations that embellish the garments. Differently coloured scarves and shawls are important indicators of social standing, as Bhutan has traditionally been a feudal society. Jewellery is mostly worn by women, especially during religious festivals (tsechus) and public gatherings. To strengthen Bhutan's identity as an independent country, Bhutanese law requires all Bhutanese citizens to wear the national dress in public areas and as formal wear.

In betwen the arrival of interenational flights, Bhutanese custom officers play a coin tossing game.