I am Sonam
Kuzu zangpo la, my name is Sonam.
I am a young woman of the Sharchop community in Bhutan. Though we nowadays all learn English at school, our national language is Dzongkha, but there are more languages and dialects still in use, which reflect the cultural diversity of our small, yet vibrant, nation.
The Land of the Thunder Dragon
I really enjoy meeting people from around the world and sharing experiences from our lives.
I met Jimmy Nelson in 2016, when he visited my community in Gangtey. In one of the portraits he took of me, I am posing holding two dragons, a Bhutanese national symbol which is also drawn on our national flag.
Bhutan is a beautiful and serene nation located in the eastern Himalayas.
It’s nestled between India to the south and China (Tibet) to the north. It is a small country, stretching roughly 180 miles (290 kilometers) from west to east and about 105 miles (170 kilometers) from north to south.
Our capital city is Thimphu, situated in the western part of the country. The Sharchop people primarily reside in the eastern part of Bhutan, which is more rugged and less populated.
The majority of the population practices Buddhism, and we are known for our stunning monasteries and dzongs (fortress-like structures).
Bhutan is the only country in the world with a Ministry for Happiness. Our well-being and happiness is very important and we believe it is strongly connected to sustainable development, environmental conservation, and cultural preservation.
Happy people in happy nature.
We Bhutanese care a lot about the environment and biodiversity. As much as 70% of Bhutan is covered by forest, with many wildlife reserves that host amazing animals such as the black bear and the elusive snow leopard.
Bhutan forbids the commercial exploitation of its peaks for the sport of mountain climbing. Many Bhutanese believe that the snow-capped mountains are home to gods who should not be disturbed. At 7,570 metres, Gangkhar Puensum is the highest mountain in Bhutan, and one of the highest unclimbed mountains in the world.
We believe there can only be happy people if the natural environment surrounding us is happy too!
Mask dances play a significant role in our religious and social traditions.
They are primarily performed during religious festivals, known as tsechus, which are celebrated across Bhutan. It’s a time for social gatherings, feasting, and a sense of unity among the Bhutanese people.
These dances serve to convey spiritual messages, commemorate important events in our history, and honour the teachings of Buddhism. Each dance has a specific meaning and purpose, often rooted in ancient legends and texts. These dances are often performed by monks from various monasteries, who undergo rigorous training to master the intricate movements and symbolism of each dance.
The Sharchop festivals feature masked dances, traditional music, and joyful celebrations that bring our communities together.
Prayer flags grace every high pass in Bhutan.
Fluttering flags are a very important part of the Himalayan tradition, used to spread mantras, bringing good luck and prosperity, and warding off demons.
They come in two basic forms: horizontal-coloured flags and vertical white flags. Each colour has a symbolic meaning: blue for sky, white for air, red for fire, green for water and yellow for soil.
The ever-present winds spread the mantras written on the flags throughout the country and all around the world.
My dreams for the future.
As the only daughter in my family, I find difficult to leave my mother behind, but my dream is to do a master’s degree abroad to come back to my country enriched with experiencing other cultures.
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