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  • The Brokpa, the semi-nomads of the villages of Merak and Sakteng in the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan, have maintained many of their unique traditions and customs.  Unlike most Bhutanese women who wear their hair short, the Brokpa women keep their long hair tied up in plaits with colourful ribbons.
    A0030291cc_1.jpg
  • A framed photograph of the wedding of King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck to commoner Jetsun Pema at Punakha Dzong on 13 October 2011 - in a tourist restaurant in Punakha, Western Bhutan. Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck is the fifth and current reigning Druk Gyalpo or "Dragon King" of the Kingdom of Bhutan.
    DSCF4378cc_1.jpg
  • With a dark, weathered face, an elderly man carries a harvest of straw on his back - a traditional way of bringing in the harvested - in the Himalayan kingdom of Nepal. The man is close to the viewer, looking directly at us while other members of his community appear around a bend. Agriculture accounts for about 40% of Nepal's GDP, services comprise 41% and industry 22%. Agriculture employs 76% of the workforce, services 18% and manufacturing/craft-based industry 6%. Agricultural produce — mostly grown in the Terai region bordering India — includes tea, rice, corn, wheat, sugarcane, root crops, milk, and water buffalo meat. Industry mainly involves the processing of agricultural produce, including jute, sugarcane, tobacco, and grain.
    gorkha04-16-01-1997_1.jpg
  • The rare Victoria Cross is worn on the chest of the celebrated Nepali war veteran Bhanu Bhagta Gurung (also written Bhanubhakta), an ex-soldier of the British Gurkha regiment who in the second world war, earned his medals from repeated bravery against Japanese positions in Burma. He sits here on the terrace of his home, above the misty valley of Gorkha, Central Nepal. He is one of the last survivors of the remarkably brave men  who helped defeat the enemy in the jungles of south-east Asia. Gurung is the name of his Nepalese tribe (like the Sherpas who also come from the high Himalayan Kingdom). His company commander described him as "a smiling, hard-swearing and indomitable soldier who in a battalion of brave men was one of the bravest". Born September 1921 - died March 1 2008.
    RB_142-16-01-1997.jpg
  • The rare Victoria Cross is worn on the chest of the celebrated Nepali war veteran Bhanu Bhagta Gurung (also written Bhanubhakta), an ex-soldier of the British Gurkha regiment who in the second world war, earned his medals from repeated bravery against Japanese positions in Burma. He sits here on the terrace of his home, above the misty valley of Gorkha, Central Nepal. He is one of the last survivors of the remarkably brave men  who helped defeat the enemy in the jungles of south-east Asia. Gurung is the name of his Nepalese tribe (like the Sherpas who also come from the high Himalayan Kingdom). His company commander described him as "a smiling, hard-swearing and indomitable soldier who in a battalion of brave men was one of the bravest". Born September 1921 - died March 1 2008.
    medals_gurkha01-16-1997.jpg
  • The stupa and prayer flags at the top of the Nachung-La mountain pass (4153m) between the Brokpa villages of Merak and Sakteng, Eastern Bhutan. Prayer flags are ubiquitous in Bhutan often found fluttering on mountain passes. They come in five colours - blue, green, red, yellow and white - symbolising the elements of water, wood, fire, earth and iron.
    DSCF5698cc_1.jpg
  • The ancient route between the two Brokpa villages of Merak and Sakteng, only passable on foot, includes the Nachung-La mountain pass (4153m) and is the only direct route between the two Brokpa villages.
    DSCF5682cc_1.jpg
  • The ancient route between the two Brokpa villages of Merak and Sakteng, only passable on foot, includes the Nachung-La mountain pass (4153m) and is the only direct route between the two Brokpa villages.
    DSCF5687cc_1.jpg
  • The ancient route between the two Brokpa villages of Merak and Sakteng, only passable on foot, includes the Nachung-La mountain pass (4153m) and is the only direct route between the two Brokpa villages.
    DSCF5691cc_1.jpg
  • An instructor with the Royal Gurkha Rifles points a recruit towards an objective while on tactical training manoeuvres on heathland above Farnborough, on 5th August 1996, in Farnborough, England. Nepali-born boys belong to an elite Regiment of the British army. Every year 60,000 boys attend recruiting sessions in villages and towns in the Himalayan Kingdom but only 150 are selected each year to serve on active duty across the world. They fly to the UK for basic soldier training where they learn the skills required for infantry, transport, communications or clerical duties. Their reputation as a fierce but intensely loyal fighting force and many Victoria Crosses were won for bravery during World War 2. Here they are seen cradling modern SA-80 rifles while dressed in camouflaged helmets with oak leaves.
    soldier_training-05-08-1996.jpg
  • Painted sign along the roadside in Trashigang, Eastern Bhutan.
    DSCF5818cc_1.jpg
  • An elderly Bhutanese man standing on a road side looking down the beautiful Tang Valley, Bumthang, Central Bhutan.
    A0030856cc_1.jpg
  • Turnips drying in the fields, Dhazheyjhab village, Phobjikha valley, Bhutan. Turnips are stored over the winter and used by farmers as winter feed for their cattle.
    DSCF6915_1.jpg
  • Performing a Rigsar dance at the Black-necked Crane festival at Gangte Goemba, Phobjikha Valley, Bhutan. Every year on November 11th, the local community hosts the Black-necked Crane festival at Gangtey Goenpa, to highlight its significance to the valley. Phobjikha Valley is the most significant overwintering ground of the rare and endangered Black-necked Crane in Bhutan.
    DSCF6893cc_1.jpg
  • Traditional Bhutanese dancing at the Black-necked Crane festival at Gangte Goemba, Phobjikha Valley, Bhutan. Every year on November 11th, the local community hosts the Black-necked Crane festival at Gangte Goemba, to highlight its significance to the valley. Phobjikha Valley is the most significant overwintering ground of the rare and endangered Black-necked Crane in Bhutan.
    DSCF6858cc_1.jpg
  • Portrait of Dorji Zam, a sheep farmer at her farm in Namephey village in the remote Phobjikha valley, Bhutan. With the easy availability of commercially processed wool and other alternatives for fabric for weaving, and the lack of human resources to look after the sheep, farming of sheep has gradually been in decline in Bhutan.
    DSCF1620cc_1.jpg
  • Chillies drying outside a farmhouse in Gorgona village, Bhutan
    DSCF1426_1.jpg
  • A sheep farmer holds bamboo tubes used for dosing sheep with salt which they do every day, Chubja, Bhutan. With the easy availability of commercially processed wool and other alternatives for fabric for weaving, and the lack of human resources to look after the sheep, farming of sheep has gradually been in decline in Bhutan.
    DSCF1418cc_1.jpg
  • Monks performing a Mask Dance at the Black-necked Crane festival at Gangte Goemba, Phobjikha Valley, Bhutan. Every year on November 11th, the local community hosts the Black-necked Crane festival at Gangte Goemba, to highlight its significance to the valley. Phobjikha Valley is the most significant overwintering ground of the rare and endangered Black-necked Crane in Bhutan.
    DSCF1319cc_1.jpg
  • A farmer harvests turnips in Dhazheyjhab village, Phobjikha valley, Bhutan. Turnips are stored over the winter and used by farmers as winter feed for their cattle.
    A0032256cc_1.jpg
  • Farmers harvest turnips in Dhazheyjhab village, Phobjikha valley, Bhutan. Turnips are stored over the winter and used by farmers as winter feed for their cattle.
    A0032217cc_1.jpg
  • A farmer harvests turnips in Dhazheyjhab village, Phobjikha valley, Bhutan. Turnips are stored over the winter and used by farmers as winter feed for their cattle.
    A0032243cc_1.jpg
  • A Brokpa woman making 'Datse', a small handmade cheese made from cow's milk. Rural Bhutanese farmers make butter and cheese partly for storage or as a preserved form of milk for self consumption, with any excess being sold for cash or traded with neighbouring villages for daily necessities.
    A0030818cc_1.jpg
  • Bhutanese subsistence farmer, Kinley sells guava and amla fruit on the roadside in Bajo town, Wangdue Phodrang, Bhutan.
    A0032011cc_1.jpg
  • A child from Bayta Primary School dressed as a crane before performing the Black-necked Crane dance ‘Ngachey Thrung Thrung Detshu’ at the Black-necked Crane Festival at Gangte Goemba, Phobjikha Valley, Bhutan. Every year on November 11th, the local community hosts the festival at Gangte Goemba, to highlight the cranes significance to the valley. Phobjikha Valley is the most significant overwintering ground of the rare and endangered Black-necked Crane in Bhutan.
    A0032022cc_1.jpg
  • A Brokpa family prepares to migrate to their summer pastures with their 'zhomo' (male yak and female cow cross), Merak, Eastern Bhutan. The Brokpa, the semi-nomads of the villages of Merak and Sakteng are said to have migrated to Bhutan a few centuries ago from the Tshona region of Southern Tibet. Thriving on rearing yaks and sheep, the Brokpas have maintained many of their unique traditions and customs.
    A0030551cc_1.jpg
  • A Brokpa family prepares to migrate to their summer pastures with their 'zhomo' (male yak and female cow cross), Merak, Eastern Bhutan. The Brokpa, the semi-nomads of the villages of Merak and Sakteng are said to have migrated to Bhutan a few centuries ago from the Tshona region of Southern Tibet. Thriving on rearing yaks and sheep, the Brokpas have maintained many of their unique traditions and customs.
    A0030541cc_1.jpg
  • Portrait of a Brokpa woman wearing her traditional clothing outside the temple on an 'auspicious day' in the remote village of Merak in Eastern Bhutan. The Brokpa, the semi-nomads of the villages of Merak and Sakteng are said to have migrated to Bhutan a few centuries ago from the Tshona region of Southern Tibet. Thriving on rearing yaks and sheep, the Brokpas have maintained many of their unique traditions and customs.
    A0030394cc_1.jpg
  • A Brokpa woman wearing her traditional clothing holds Buddhist rosary beads outside the temple on an 'auspicious day' in the remote village of Merak in Eastern Bhutan. The Brokpa, the semi-nomads of the villages of Merak and Sakteng are said to have migrated to Bhutan a few centuries ago from the Tshona region of Southern Tibet. Thriving on rearing yaks and sheep, the Brokpas have maintained many of their unique traditions and customs.
    A0030393cc_1.jpg
  • A Brokpa woman spins sheep wool using a drop spindle called a Yoekpa, Merak, Eastern Bhutan. The Brokpa, the semi-nomads of the villages of Merak and Sakteng are said to have migrated to Bhutan a few centuries ago from the Tshona region of Southern Tibet. Thriving on rearing yaks and sheep, the Brokpas have maintained many of their unique traditions and customs. Their distinctive hat known as tsipee cham is made of yak felt with long twisted tufts, said to keep the rain from running onto their faces.
    A0030361cc db_1.jpg
  • A Brokpa man wearing a sleeveless deer skin vest over his 'gho' a traditional long sleeved woollen tunic made from yak wool outside the Buddhist temple in Merak, Eastern Bhutan.
    A0030384cc_1.jpg
  • 'Datse', a small handmade cheese made from cow's milk for sale at the Sunday market in Paro, Western Bhutan. Paro's weekly market is a small traditional market and the place to purchase Bhutan's unique local products. Datse is used in almost every Bhutanese dish including the national dish 'ema datse', chillies with cheese.
    A0028840cc_1.jpg
  • Spring onions displayed in a woven basket for sale in Mekshina market, Bhutan
    DSCF6796_1.jpg
  • Monks performing the Mask Dance "PaChham" at the Black-necked Crane festival at Gangte Goemba, Phobjikha Valley, Bhutan. Every year on November 11th, the local community hosts the Black-necked Crane festival at Gangte Goemba, to highlight its significance to the valley. Phobjikha Valley is the most significant overwintering ground of the rare and endangered Black-necked Crane in Bhutan.
    DSCF6874cc_1.jpg
  • Imported Indian spices for sale at Wangdue Phodrang market, Bhutan.
    DSCF6933_1.jpg
  • Children from Bayta primary school dance the Black-necked Crane dance "Ngachey Thrung Thrung Detshu" at Gangte Goemba, Phobjikha Valley, Bhutan. Every year on November 11th, the local community hosts the Black-necked Crane festival at Gangtey Goenpa, to highlight its significance to the valley. Phobjikha Valley is the most significant overwintering ground of the rare and endangered Black-necked Crane in Bhutan.
    DSCF6904cc_1.jpg
  • The audience watching the performances at the Black-necked Crane festival at Gangte Goemba, Phobjikha Valley, Bhutan. Every year on November 11th, the local community hosts the Black-necked Crane festival at Gangte Goemba, to highlight its significance to the valley. Phobjikha Valley is the most significant overwintering ground of the rare and endangered Black-necked Crane in Bhutan.
    DSCF6851cc_1.jpg
  • Close up of a woollen yathra blanket from the Bumthang region in central Bhutan. Yathra is a hand woven fabric made from the wool of sheep and yak and is the most famous textile product of Bumthang. Produced on a Tibetan style loom, yathra cloth is woven in strips and made into skarfs, jackets, blankets; table cloths and bags.
    DSCF5834_1.jpg
  • A view of the flowering rhododendrons and Buddhist prayers flags on the hillside outside the Brokpa ethnic minority village of Merak, Eastern Bhutan
    DSCF5659cc_1.jpg
  • The view of the remote and roadless Brokpa village of Merak from the footpath heading towards Sakteng, Eastern Bhutan
    DSCF5670cc_1.jpg
  • Children queueing up for lunch at a rural boarding school during the weekend in Radhi village, Bhutan. Most villages have a primary school although in very remote areas it is not uncommon for children to board even during the early years. Lunch usually consists of potato soup and rice.
    DSCF5580cc_1.jpg
  • Early morning in the remote and roadless Brokpa village of Merak in Eastern Bhutan. Thriving on rearing yaks and sheep, the semi-nomadic Brokpa have maintained many of their unique traditions and customs. In summer they move to the pastures with their yaks and sheep and in winter they return to live in their houses, normally built of stones with small ventilation to protect from the piercing cold weather.
    DSCF5637cc_1.jpg
  • Boys wearing the traditional Bhutanese 'gho' watching television through the window of the village shop in Radhi, Eastern Bhutan
    DSCF5557cc_1.jpg
  • A typical Bhutanese hand painted door at Paro Dzong (fortress), Western Bhutan. Lhazo (painting) is one of the 'Zong Chusum' or 13 traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan. Painting includes painting of religious pictures, murals and frescoes in temples and dzongs as well as the colourful images on the exterior walls of Bhutanese houses.
    DSCF4282cc_1.jpg
  • A group of women harvest rice in one of the Bhutanese government’s fields which will be stored and later distributed to schools, Chimi Lhakhang, Bhutan.
    DSCF1638cc_1.jpg
  • Local produce for sale in Nobding farmers market, Bhutan.
    DSCF1622_1.jpg
  • Portrait of sheep farmer Dawa Zam and her son Ngawang Thinley in Namephey village in the remote Phobjikha valley, Bhutan. With the easy availability of commercially processed wool and other alternatives for fabric for weaving, and the lack of human resources to look after the sheep, farming of sheep has gradually been in decline in Bhutan.
    DSCF1617cc_1.jpg
  • At 2900 meters above sea level, Phobjikha Valley is one of the most important wildlife preserves in Bhutan due the large flock of the rare and endangered Black-necked Cranes that overwinters there.
    DSCF1607cc_1.jpg
  • A winter landscape view looking down the valley near the remote village of Gorgona, Bhutan
    DSCF1452cc_1.jpg
  • Turnip tops drying on a rack in a field on a frosty morning at a farm in Chubja, Bhutan. Turnips are stored over the winter and used by farmers as winter feed for their cattle.
    DSCF1437_1.jpg
  • Sheep farmer, Bago, cards wool, Chubja, Bhutan. With the easy availability of commercially processed wool and other alternatives for fabric for weaving, and the lack of human resources to look after the sheep, farming of sheep has gradually been in decline in Bhutan.
    DSCF1442cc_1.jpg
  • A typical Bhutanese hand painted decoration on a farmhouse wall in Gorgona village, Bhutan. Lhazo (painting) is one of the 'Zong Chusum' or 13 traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan. Lhazo (painting) includes painting of religious pictures, murals and frescoes in temples and dzongs as well as the colourful images on the exterior walls of Bhutanese houses.
    DSCF1428_1.jpg
  • Sheep farmers dose their sheep with salt using a bamboo tube which they do every day, Chubja, Bhutan. With the easy availability of commercially processed wool and other alternatives for fabric for weaving, and the lack of human resources to look after the sheep, farming of sheep has gradually been in decline in Bhutan.
    DSCF1408cc_1.jpg
  • Sheep farmer catches sheep before dosing with salt using a bamboo tube which they do every day, Chubja, Bhutan. With the easy availability of commercially processed wool and other alternatives for fabric for weaving, and the lack of human resources to look after the sheep, farming of sheep has gradually been in decline in Bhutan.
    DSCF1402cc_1.jpg
  • Children from Bayta primary school perform the Black-necked Crane dance "Ngachey Thrung Thrung Detshu" at Gangte Goemba, Phobjikha Valley, Bhutan. Every year on November 11th, the local community hosts the Black-necked Crane festival at Gangte Goemba, to highlight its significance to the valley. Phobjikha Valley is the most significant overwintering ground of the rare and endangered Black-necked Crane in Bhutan.
    DSCF1329cc_1.jpg
  • At 2900 meters above sea level, Phobjikha Valley is one of the most important wildlife preserves in Bhutan due the large flock of the rare and endangered Black-necked Cranes that overwinters there.
    DSCF1336cc_1.jpg
  • Monks performing a mask dance at the Black-necked Crane festival at Gangte Goemba, Phobjikha Valley, Bhutan. Every year on November 11th, the local community hosts the Black-necked Crane festival at Gangte Goemba, to highlight its significance to the valley. Phobjikha Valley is the most significant overwintering ground of the rare and endangered Black-necked Crane in Bhutan.
    DSCF1289cc_1.jpg
  • Monks in the audience at the Black-necked Crane festival at Gangte Goemba, Phobjikha Valley, Bhutan. Every year on November 11th, the local community hosts the Black-necked Crane festival at Gangte Goemba, to highlight its significance to the valley. Phobjikha Valley is the most significant overwintering ground of the rare and endangered Black-necked Crane in Bhutan.
    DSCF1316cc_1.jpg
  • Monks performing a mask dance at the Black-necked Crane festival at Gangte Goemba, Phobjikha Valley, Bhutan. Every year on November 11th, the local community hosts the Black-necked Crane festival at Gangte Goemba, to highlight its significance to the valley. Phobjikha Valley is the most significant overwintering ground of the rare and endangered Black-necked Crane in Bhutan.
    DSCF1245cc_1.jpg
  • A child from Bayta Primary School dressed as a crane before performing the Black-necked Crane dance ‘Ngachey Thrung Thrung Detshu’ at the Black-necked Crane Festival at Gangte Goemba, Phobjikha Valley, Bhutan. Every year on November 11th, the local community hosts the festival at Gangte Goemba, to highlight the cranes significance to the valley. Phobjikha Valley is the most significant overwintering ground of the rare and endangered Black-necked Crane in Bhutan.
    DSCF1157cc_1.jpg
  • A child from Bayta Primary School dressed as a crane before performing the Black-necked Crane dance ‘Ngachey Thrung Thrung Detshu’ at the Black-necked Crane Festival at Gangte Goemba, Phobjikha Valley, Bhutan. Every year on November 11th, the local community hosts the festival at Gangte Goemba, to highlight the cranes significance to the valley. Phobjikha Valley is the most significant overwintering ground of the rare and endangered Black-necked Crane in Bhutan.
    DSCF1201cc_1.jpg
  • A child from Bayta Primary School dressed as a crane before performing the Black-necked Crane dance ‘Ngachey Thrung Thrung Detshu’ at the Black-necked Crane Festival at Gangte Goemba, Phobjikha Valley, Bhutan. Every year on November 11th, the local community hosts the festival at Gangte Goemba to highlight the cranes significance to the valley. Phobjikha Valley is the most significant overwintering ground of the rare and endangered Black-necked Crane in Bhutan.
    DSCF1142cc_1.jpg
  • A basket of freshly harvested turnips in the fields, Dhazheyjhab village in the remote Phobjikha valley, Bhutan. Turnips are stored over the winter and used by farmers as winter feed for their cattle.
    A0032258cc_1.jpg
  • A farmer harvests turnips in Dhazheyjhab village, Phobjikha valley, Bhutan. Turnips are stored over the winter and used by farmers as winter feed for their cattle.
    A0032237cc_1.jpg
  • Monks in the audience at the Black-necked Crane festival at Gangte Goemba, Phobjikha Valley, Bhutan. Every year on November 11th, the local community hosts the Black-necked Crane festival at Gangte Goemba, to highlight its significance to the valley. Phobjikha Valley is the most significant overwintering ground of the rare and endangered Black-necked Crane in Bhutan.
    A0032068cc_1.jpg
  • A handwoven woollen yathra skarf on a Tibetan style loom outside her farmhouse in the Tang Valley, Bumthang, Central Bhutan. Yathra is a hand woven fabric made from the wool of sheep and yak and is the most famous textile product of Bumthang. Yathra cloth is made into skarfs, jackets, table cloths and bags.
    A0030842cc_1.jpg
  • Freshly made butter on the kitchen floor of a Brokpa ethnic minority house in Thagthi, Eastern Bhutan. Rural Bhutanese farmers and herders make butter and cheese partly for storage or as a preserved form of milk for self consumption, with any excess being sold for cash or traded with neighbouring villages for daily necessities.
    A0030830cc_1.jpg
  • A child from Bayta Primary School dressed as a crane before performing the Black-necked Crane dance ‘Ngachey Thrung Thrung Detshu’ at the Black-necked Crane Festival at Gangte Goemba, Phobjikha Valley, Bhutan. Every year on November 11th, the local community hosts the festival at Gangte Goemba, to highlight the cranes significance to the valley. Phobjikha Valley is the most significant overwintering ground of the rare and endangered Black-necked Crane in Bhutan.
    A0032036cc_1.jpg
  • Weaving a woollen yathra blanket on a Tibetan style loom in Chumey village, Bumthang, Central Bhutan. Yathra is a hand woven fabric made from the wool of sheep and yak and is the most famous textile product of Bumthang. Yathra cloth is made into skarfs, jackets, blankets, tablecloths and bags.
    A0030888cc_1.jpg
  • A Brokpa ethnic minority woman holding potatoes covered in earth after harvesting from her vegetable garden in Thagthi village in Eastern Bhutan
    A0030757cc_1.jpg
  • Smallholder/farmer Karma holds a bucket of milk after hand milking one of his 11 cows in the Tang Valley, Bumthang, Central Bhutan. Rural Bhutanese farmers make butter and cheese partly for storage or as a preserved form of milk for self consumption, with any excess being sold for cash.
    A0030874cc_1.jpg
  • Smallholder/farmer Karma hand milking one of his 11 cows in the Tang Valley, Bumthang, Central Bhutan. Rural Bhutanese farmers make butter and cheese partly for storage or as a preserved form of milk for self consumption, with any excess being sold for cash.
    A0030870cc_1.jpg
  • A Brokpa family prepares to migrate to their summer pastures with their 'zhomo' (male yak and female cow cross), Merak, Eastern Bhutan. The Brokpa, the semi-nomads of the villages of Merak and Sakteng are said to have migrated to Bhutan a few centuries ago from the Tshona region of Southern Tibet. Thriving on rearing yaks and sheep, the Brokpas have maintained many of their unique traditions and customs.
    A0030545cc_1.jpg
  • A Brokpa woman holding a ball of yak hair spun using a drop spindle called a yoekpa in the remote village of Merak in Eastern Bhutan. The Brokpa, the semi-nomads of the villages of Merak and Sakteng are said to have migrated to Bhutan a few centuries ago from the Tshona region of Southern Tibet. Thriving on rearing yaks and sheep, the Brokpas have maintained many of their unique traditions and customs.
    A0030613cc_1.jpg
  • A Brokpa man prepares to migrate to the summer pastures with his 'zhomo' (male yak and female cow cross), Merak, Eastern Bhutan. The Brokpa, the semi-nomads of the villages of Merak and Sakteng are said to have migrated to Bhutan a few centuries ago from the Tshona region of Southern Tibet. Thriving on rearing yaks and sheep, the Brokpas have maintained many of their unique traditions and customs.
    A0030539cc_1.jpg
  • A Brokpa family drinks tea whilst preparing to migrate to their summer pastures with their 'zhomo' (male yak and female cow cross), Merak, Eastern Bhutan. The Brokpa, the semi-nomads of the villages of Merak and Sakteng are said to have migrated to Bhutan a few centuries ago from the Tshona region of Southern Tibet. Thriving on rearing yaks and sheep, the Brokpas have maintained many of their unique traditions and customs.
    A0030511cc_1.jpg
  • A Brokpa yak herder milks her yak in a meadow outside the village of Merak, Eastern Bhutan. The Brokpa, the semi-nomads of the villages of Merak and Sakteng are said to have migrated to Bhutan a few centuries ago from the Tshona region of Southern Tibet. Thriving on rearing yaks and sheep, the Brokpas have maintained many of their unique traditions and customs.
    A0030425cc_1.jpg
  • A Brokpa woman wearing her traditional clothing outside the temple on an 'auspicious day' in the remote village of Merak in Eastern Bhutan. The Brokpa, the semi-nomads of the villages of Merak and Sakteng are said to have migrated to Bhutan a few centuries ago from the Tshona region of Southern Tibet. Thriving on rearing yaks and sheep, the Brokpas have maintained many of their unique traditions and customs.
    A0030397cc_1.jpg
  • Portrait of a Brokpa woman wearing her traditional clothing outside the temple on an 'auspicious day' in the remote village of Merak in Eastern Bhutan. The Brokpa, the semi-nomads of the villages of Merak and Sakteng are said to have migrated to Bhutan a few centuries ago from the Tshona region of Southern Tibet. Thriving on rearing yaks and sheep, the Brokpas have maintained many of their unique traditions and customs. Their distinctive hat known as 'tsipee cham' is made of yak felt with long twisted tufts, said to keep the rain from running onto their faces.
    A0030392cc_1.jpg
  • A Brokpa woman holds a ball of sheep wool which was spun using a drop spindle called a Yoekpa, Merak, Eastern Bhutan. The Brokpa, the semi-nomads of the villages of Merak and Sakteng are said to have migrated to Bhutan a few centuries ago from the Tshona region of Southern Tibet. Thriving on rearing yaks and sheep, the Brokpas have maintained many of their unique traditions and customs. Given the geographic isolation of many of Bhutan's villages, there are 16 different dialects and 14 regional groups in the country. Many tribes have kept alive their distinct cultural identities through their dress, language and traditions over the years.
    A0030342cc_1.jpg
  • Portrait of a Brokpa man wearing outside the Buddhist temple on an 'auspicious day' in the remote village of Merak in Eastern Bhutan. He is wearing a sleeveless deer skin vest over his 'gho' a traditional long sleeved woollen tunic made from yak wool.
    A0030389cc_1.jpg
  • A Brokpa woman wearing her traditional clothing holds Buddhist rosary beads in Merak, Eastern Bhutan.  The Brokpa, the semi-nomads of the villages of Merak and Sakteng are said to have migrated to Bhutan a few centuries ago from the Tshona region of Southern Tibet. Thriving on rearing yaks and sheep, the Brokpas have maintained many of their unique traditions and customs.
    A0030295cc_1.jpg
  • Portrait of a Brokpa woman wearing her traditional clothing outside her home in the remote village of Merak in Eastern Bhutan. The Brokpa, the semi-nomads of the villages of Merak and Sakteng are said to have migrated to Bhutan a few centuries ago from the Tshona region of Southern Tibet. Thriving on rearing yaks and sheep, the Brokpas have maintained many of their unique traditions and customs.
    A0030286cc_1.jpg
  • Bhutanese woman having a street haircut in the small town of Trashigang, Eastern Bhutan.
    A0030238cc_1.jpg
  • Bhutanese woman making tea in Radhi village, Eastern Bhutan
    A0030222cc_1.jpg
  • Locally produced dried riverweed known as 'seaweed' for sale at Thimphu weekend market, Western Bhutan. Vendors from throughout the region  come to Thimphu's weekend market to sell their local products.
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  • 'Datse', a small handmade cheese made from cow's milk for sale at the Sunday market in Paro, Western Bhutan. Paro's weekly market is a small traditional market and the place to purchase Bhutan's unique local products. Datse is used in almost every Bhutanese dish including the national dish 'ema datse', chillies with cheese.
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  • Arrows resting against a wall during an archery tournament in Thimphu, Western Bhutan. 'Datse' (archery) is Bhutan's national sport and is played wherever there is enough space and remains the favourite sport for men of all ages. There are archery tournaments held throughout the country. The targets are placed 140m apart. If the contestant hits his target, his team mates will perform a slow dance and sing his praises, while he slips a coloured scarf into his belt.
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  • A Bhutanese woman holding a prayer wheel and rosary beads praying at the National Memorial Chorten in Thimphu, Western Bhutan. This large Tibetan-style chorten is one of the most visible religious structures in Thimphu and for many Bhutanese it is the focus of their daily worship. It was built in 1974 as a memorial to the third king, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. Throughout the day people circumambulate the chorten, whirl the large red prayer wheels and pray at a small shrine inside the gate.
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  • Green chillies for sale at Wangdue Phondrang, Bhutan. Chillies are the main ingredient in the Bhutanese national dish 'ema datse', chillies with cheese.
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  • Beans and ‘ola chayto’ for sale at Wangdue Phodrang local produce market, Bhutan.
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  • Red curtains at a window in a traditional Bhutanese farmhouse in Punakha valley, Bhutan
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  • Green vegetables for sale at the local produce market in Mekshina, Bhutan.
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  • A view of the Brokpa village of Thagthi amongst the forested mountains of Eastern Bhutan. Though the government policy is to maintain at least 60% of the land as forest, the present ratio is higher, with more than 70% of the country covered in forests of conifers and mixed broadleaf species.
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  • The audience watching the performances at he Black-necked Crane Festival at Gangte Goemba, Phobjikha Valley, Bhutan. Every year on November 11th, the local community hosts the festival at Gangte Goemba, to highlight the cranes significance to the valley. Phobjikha Valley is the most significant overwintering ground of the rare and endangered Black-necked Crane in Bhutan.
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  • The forested slopes of the mountains near to the Brokpa village of Thagthi, Eastern Bhutan. Though the government policy is to maintain at least 60% of the land as forest, the present ratio is higher, with more than 70% of the country covered in forests of conifers and mixed broadleaf species.
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  • Yaks follow the ancient route between the two Brokpa villages of Merak and Sakteng in Eastern Bhutan. The trail is only passable on foot and passes over the Nachung-La mountain pass (4153m) and is the only direct route between the two Brokpa villages.
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  • Brokpa herdsmen carrying supplies to the remote and roadless village of Saktieng using cows and yaks. As virtually nothing grows in Merak and Sakteng, the Brokpas trade their butter, cheese and yak meat with neighbouring villages for daily necessities.
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  • A Brokpa woman washes clothes and collects water for household use at the standpipe in the remote and roadless village of Merak, Eastern Bhutan. The Brokpa, the semi-nomads of the villages of Merak and Sakteng are said to have migrated to Bhutan a few centuries ago from the Tshona region of Southern Tibet. Thriving on rearing yaks and sheep, the Brokpas have maintained many of their unique traditions and customs. In summer they move to the pastures with their yaks and sheep and in winter they return to live in their houses, normally built of stones with small ventilation to protect from the piercing cold weather.
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  • A Brokpa woman washes clothes at the standpipe in the early morning in the remote and roadless village of Merak, Eastern Bhutan. The Brokpa, the semi-nomads of the villages of Merak and Sakteng are said to have migrated to Bhutan a few centuries ago from the Tshona region of Southern Tibet. Thriving on rearing yaks and sheep, the Brokpas have maintained many of their unique traditions and customs. In summer they move to the pastures with their yaks and sheep and in winter they return to live in their houses, normally built of stones with small ventilation to protect from the piercing cold weather.
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