Nomad Festival – The Annual Gathering of Bhutan’s Nomadic Highlanders

The annual three-day Nomad Festival is held at Bumthang district, the sacred heartland of Bhutan, dotted with some of the most beautiful and ancient monasteries and temples in the Eastern Himalayas. This annual gathering of Bhutan’s nomadic highlanders brings together the nomads of north-eastern and north-western Bhutan in an unforgettable celebration of their unique culture and traditions. The nomads are mostly highland herders whose lifestyle are unique, mysterious and unchanged even with modernity continuing to infiltrate itself in all parts of Bhutan.

The two major nomadic tribes of Bhutan, the ‘Brokpas’ in the east and the ‘Layaps’ in the west, inhabit some of the most rugged terrain in the Kingdom. Their economy still mainly consists of ancient bartering practices and is heavily dependent upon their yaks and the products they derive from it such as milk, meat, wool, cheese and leather. In recognition of this interdependency, the yak features prominently in many of the nomadic festivals and celebrations.

To the spectators, the Nomad Festival provide an intimate glimpse into the proud nomadic communities whose lifestyle & culture have remained virtually unchanged to this day and form a rich part of Bhutan’s ethnic and cultural diversity.

The Nomad Festival offers unique opportunity to experience and absorb nomadic culture such as dress like a Bhutanese highlander and try on an entire costume spun from yak hair including the Brokpa hat with five long fringes down the front or the conical bamboo Layap headgear. Ladies can try the wide, beautiful hand-woven aprons decorated with colorful motifs of flowers and animals traditionally worn by women. They can even have their hair plaited and decorated with colorful ribbons in the traditional style of the region. One can sample the nomadic twist on Bhutan’s classic and national dish ‘ema datshi’ (chilli & cheese preparation). This fiery, dish is accompanied by highlanders’ staples made from maize and buckwheat flour. Also try some Pin, a fragrant and spicy roll stuffed with flat onions (Ram in Dzongkha) cheese, chili powder and local spices. This delicacy is unique to the region and is extremely popular amongst the locals. Furthermore, experience the simple delectability of buckwheat pancakes coated in generous helpings of melted butter and served with ema datshi.

The festival is also an opportunity to witness and participate in local sports: Keyshey (traditional Bhutanese wrestling), Khuru (darts), archery, Soksum (light javelin throwing), Dego (similar to throwing horseshoes but with stones).

The Nomad Festival also an occasion to witness the grand pageantry of the Chipdrel, a ceremonial procession usually reserved for royalty. Adventurous lovers can try yak riding, immerse oneself in the festival-wide demonstrations of traditional Bhutanese village life including using ancient mill-stones to grind maize, husking harvested rice and tilling fields with ox-drawn ploughs and attain inner peace while visiting some of the most exquisite Buddhist temples in the central Bhutan.

During the festival, one can not only shop for some of the most exquisitely made Bhutanese handicrafts but also witness skilled artisans breathing life into bronze statues, blacksmiths utilizing their time-honed skills to forge beautiful and lethal swords, potters crafting delicate vessels and much more.