People

Bhutan has a wide variety of cultural differences, lifestyles, languages and beliefs. This unique feature came into existence because in the past the Bhutanese communities settled in the valleys with a very limited interaction and remained in isolation with one another. As a result of this different pattern of culture, dialects and customs came into existence which led towards being independent and has given a strong sense of individuality. It has become a fundamental characteristic of the Bhutanese people.

The Bhutanese people are divided into three main ethnic groups: Sharchops (people from the east); Ngalongs (people from the west); and the Lhotsampas (people from the south). There are also a number of smaller communities, most of them have their own dialects; such as Bumthaps, Kurteops, Layaps and Lunaps, Brokpas and Dakpas and the Doyas. However these ethnic divisions are becoming more insignificant because of migration and inter-caste marriages.

Bhutan has no rigid class distinction therefore educational and social opportunities are not affected by any means. Serfdom was abolished from the kingdom by the third king Jigme Dorji by a royal edict. Both the Bhutanese men and women share equal rights and are free to choose their partners for marriage and both can file a divorce. The equality of status and opportunity has been safeguarded for both the sexes.