THE SAKTENG VALLEY
Sakteng is an isolated valley on the north-eastern corner of Bhutan. Sakteng lies today as it did centuries ago - wild, unspoiled, and breathtakingly beautiful. The "Brokpas" call Sakteng home. Their Language is more closely related to the Hill Tribes of Arunachal Pradesh and Myanmar (Burma). These Tribes spread though the Himalayas down from the Tibetan plateaus as far as South East Asia avoiding the bigger societies of China Tibet and India. They differ from the other groups in Bhutan not only in language, but also in dress style, facial features, and the way of life. They are perhaps one of the last true semi-nomadic tribes herding yaks and sheep for a living. During the spring, the Brokpas head for the mountain pastures with their herds of yak. Most of the Brokpas live in Sakteng only during the summer months. They migrate to lower lands during the long, brutal winters. This is the time for them to exchange necessary food items with butter & cheeses.
The Brokpas' traditional clothes differ significantly from the rest of Bhutan. The women wear a sort of long poncho made either from red or white silk with the edges sewn together "the Shinka". Over this, they wear a red silk jacket with long sleeves "the Totun", and a red wool cape "the Hemta". Some wear a braided black wool jacket. Women keep long hair "unlike other traditional Bhutanese women" which they wear in colorful braids.Â
The men wear trousers of leather or cloth "the Pishup". Over this, they wear flapped breeches in white wool "the Kandam". On the top they wear a roomy red wool jacket "the Chuba", topped by a chasuble of hide "the Paktsa". Both men and women wear traditional boots made of leather and felt, and a very interesting hat called the 'Gamashamo'. This hat has no equivalent - it is a flat bonnet in waterproof felt made of yak hair. It has five descending appendages that drain off the rain without letting the head and face get wet. It's a wonderful place for the visitors specially those who "Seek A Journey Back Into Time".
Sakteng is an isolated valley on the north-eastern corner of Bhutan. Sakteng lies today as it did centuries ago - wild, unspoiled, and breathtakingly beautiful. The "Brokpas" call Sakteng home. Their Language is more closely related to the Hill Tribes of Arunachal Pradesh and Myanmar (Burma). These Tribes spread though the Himalayas down from the Tibetan plateaus as far as South East Asia avoiding the bigger societies of China Tibet and India. They differ from the other groups in Bhutan not only in language, but also in dress style, facial features, and the way of life. They are perhaps one of the last true semi-nomadic tribes herding yaks and sheep for a living. During the spring, the Brokpas head for the mountain pastures with their herds of yak. Most of the Brokpas live in Sakteng only during the summer months. They migrate to lower lands during the long, brutal winters. This is the time for them to exchange necessary food items with butter & cheeses.
The Brokpas' traditional clothes differ significantly from the rest of Bhutan. The women wear a sort of long poncho made either from red or white silk with the edges sewn together "the Shinka". Over this, they wear a red silk jacket with long sleeves "the Totun", and a red wool cape "the Hemta". Some wear a braided black wool jacket. Women keep long hair "unlike other traditional Bhutanese women" which they wear in colorful braids.Â
The men wear trousers of leather or cloth "the Pishup". Over this, they wear flapped breeches in white wool "the Kandam". On the top they wear a roomy red wool jacket "the Chuba", topped by a chasuble of hide "the Paktsa". Both men and women wear traditional boots made of leather and felt, and a very interesting hat called the 'Gamashamo'. This hat has no equivalent - it is a flat bonnet in waterproof felt made of yak hair. It has five descending appendages that drain off the rain without letting the head and face get wet. It's a wonderful place for the visitors specially those who "Seek A Journey Back Into Time".