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The traditional   dress for Ngalong and Sharchop 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, which is worn underneath the outer layer.  Social status and class determine the texture, colors, and decorations that embellish the garments.  Scarves and shawls are also indicators of social standings, as Bhutan has traditionally been a feudal society.

Rice and increasing corn supplies are the staple foods of the country.  Soups, rice or corn, and curries spiced with chilies are major components of the Bhutanese diet.  Popular beverages include butter tea (suja), teas, and beer.  Bhutan is the only country in the world to have banned tobacco smoking and sale of tobacco.

Bhutan’s national sport is archery, and competitions are held regularly in most villages.  Another traditional sport is the degor, a type of shot put.  Soccer is also an increasingly popular sport.

Festivals (Tshechus) of Bhutan

Religious festivals (Tshechus) are important events and celebrated throughout the kingdom.  The Tshechu is really a festive time for Bhutanese people.  The tshechus are the most colorful of all Bhutanese gatherings and are celebrated in and around the respective local Dzong.  All tshechus commemorate the deeds of the country, Buddhist saints, or Lamas.  In addition to normal tshechus, there are annual festivals which are celebrated with great fanfare.

Trained dancers and monks perform traditional colorful dances.  People dress in their finest clothes and jewelry, eat, socialize, and make merry.  The two most famous tshechus are the ones held in Paro during the spring and the one in Thimphu in the autumn.  They are the most colorful and popular of all tshechus.  They typically last three to five days and are attended by many Bhutanese and tourists alike.