this is my life
DESCRIPTION
Stories from Children in BhutanTRANSCRIPT
Stories from Children in Bhutan
Marie Venø Thesbjerg
In this book you will meet a lot of children from the country of Bhutan located in the Himalayas. They will tell about their everyday life, their family, friends, schools, their unique culture, nature and about their dreams for the future.
Go ahead. Take a look and enjoy their stories!
Stories from
Ch
ildren
in B
hu
tanM
arie Venø Thesbjerg
My Life
Life is a journeyWithout a destinationNo one knows from where it comesLife is mystery
It’s like a stranger in a dark nightNo one can foretell the shortcoming of lifeLife is a song of loveWhich everybody loves to sing
Life is a day of happiness, a day of gayWith a song of a bird and the hum of a beeLife happens only oncePlan a lot of happy days for your life
Sonam Gyelmo14 years old
120310 ForRygBag.indd 1 3/15/2012 10:24:56 PM
The Way of Life
I swear I was born freeI was born innocent and pureI was naked within and outAnd I was clad in white
As I breathed and saw moreDust of mankind fell on meMarred the colour of my clothAnd my face and my heart
People cheat and get cheatedIf this is how the world movesShould I move with the world?Or should I pave my own way?
Dorji Rinchenfrom Yadhi
120314.indd 2 3/14/2012 11:39:02 PM
This is My LifeStories from Children in Bhutan
Marie Venø Thesbjerg
120314.indd 3 3/14/2012 11:39:02 PM
This is My Life – Stories from Children in Bhutan
© 2012 Marie Venø Thesbjerg & children of Bhutanwww.lifeinbhutan.dk
Graphic Design: Mikael Schilling [www.mikaelschilling.dk]Front page photo: Tashi Phuntsho from Merak in East BhutanBack page photo: from Gyatsa in Central BhutanPrinted by Akaprint a/s1. Version. 1. Edition 2012ISBN 978-87-994650-1-9Published with support from the Danish Ministry of Education Tips and Lottery funding
Published by:Marie Venø ThesbjergKlostervej 368680 [email protected]
All rights reserved. Photographic, mechanical or other reproduction of this book or parts thereof is prohibited without publisher’s written permission according to current Danish copyright law. Institutions that have entered into an agreement with Copydan can copy within the limits specified in the agreement.
Thank You
It was not possible to make this book without the help of teachers in the schools involved, and of course the participating children in Bhutan, who kindly shared stories and tookpictures. Thank you for sharing parts and feelings of your life!
Signe Ebdrup for typing all the handwritten stories from the children in Bhutan into computer text.Tobias Ugilt for scanning photos from a negative to a digital format. Mads Greve for kind assistance.
The Danish who, by donating their old cameras, kindly helped the project.The mail delivery in Bhutan for making it all the way out in different regions of Bhutan by narrow and tortuous roads with the cameras, and back again.
Phub Wangdi for translating Dzongkha text into English. My friend Phub Wangmo, for always helping me.
Jessica Beaghen, Sanne Maria Mikkelsen and Theodor Klostergaard for proofreading.Anne Friis Hansen for didactical guidance.
Mikael Schilling for dedicated graphic work. The Ministry of Education (MoE) in Thimphu for contacting schools in Bhutan.
120314.indd 4 3/14/2012 11:39:02 PM
Index 1. Facts page 01
2. Everyday Life in the Country Side page 04 in the Town page 10 in a Nunnery page 16
3. School page 20
4. Family page 26
5. Food page 32
6. Friends page 38
7. Belief page 42
8. Future page 54
9. Glossary page 60
120314.indd 5 3/14/2012 11:39:02 PM
Facts
120314.indd 6 3/14/2012 11:39:04 PM
My Country is Bhutan
Bhutan is bordered by Tibet in the north and the Indian states of As-sam, Sikkim and West Bengal to the east, west and south.
Bhutan is the land of the Thunder Dragon. Our national flag carries a picture of a dragon, and two colours symbolising the leadership of Bhutan. Yellow is for the King and the political leadership, and orange symbolises the religious leadership.
Sonam Deki
11
120314.indd 1 3/14/2012 11:39:05 PM
Fast Facts Bhutan Location: In the Himalayas between India and TibetPopulation: 750,000Capital: ThimphuArea: 46,500 square kilometers Language: Dzongkha, English, Tibetan and Nepali dialectsReligion: Buddhism, HinduismPolitics: Democracy since 2008Currency: Ngultrum, Indian rupee
China
India
Damthang
BHUTAN
Dorokha
WangkhaSamtse
Haa
Daga
GaseloParo
Gaupel
THIMPHU
Phuentsholing
Chuka
Punakha
Wangdue
Taktse
Tsirang
Sarpang
UraTrongsa
ZhemgangBardo
MongarSamdrupcholing
Gelephu
Lhuentse
Yadhi
Merak
Trashigang
BumdelingDungkhar
Pema Gatshel
Tsebar
Samdrup Jongkhar
Trashi Yagtse
Gankhar Puensum
2
120314.indd 2 3/14/2012 11:39:06 PM
Long Live the Kingdom
Bhutan is a countryIt is the land of the Thunder DragonIt is calm and peacefulPeople call it Druk Yul (land of the Thunder Dragon)The words make me feel something insideIt is touched by modern civilisationSuch as machinesThough it is a small countryWe don’t have nightmares about warBecause our beloved King is there to help usLong Live the Kingdom!
Sonam Tsheten
3
120314.indd 3 3/14/2012 11:39:09 PM
Everyday Lifein the Countryside
4
120314.indd 4 3/14/2012 11:39:11 PM
My house is old and big, and I love my house. My house issituated in Merak in the far east of Bhutan. Our house was built in 1981 when I was not even born. There are few houses in my village.
There are seven in my family. My brother takes care of the horses and the cows. We do not have yaks and donkeys, as many others do in our village. The cows give milk, butter, cheese and meat. We sell meat, cheese and butter to other people, and buy rice and vegetables in return. We bring rice and vegetables from other towns. It is very difficult to carry the loads, and that’s why we bring them on horseback. Some people grow vegetables such as cabbage, radish and potatoes. My mother weavesdifferent kinds of cloth, and sells it to people.
The forest near my villageMy village is surrounded by forest with many wild animals, and various plants and trees. We have easy access to firewood, but the forest is reduced because too many people take firewood from the woods.
School with food and naughty friendsIn my village there is one school. It is called Merak Community Primary School. The school is 17 years old. Once there was a headmaster and 12 students. Now there are seven teachers and 191 pupils. There are seven classrooms. I go to school to learn, and to read. We have lunch at school from the World Food Programme (WFP). I have many good friends at school. Some are big and some are small, but I like them all. Friends are helpful, but some friends are naughty when they take my books.
SportsI love archery. It is our national sport, and many of the village men practise it. We also play volleyball and soccer.
Rinchen Tashifrom Merak
5
120314.indd 5 3/14/2012 11:39:11 PM
120314.indd 6 3/14/2012 11:39:19 PM
Up In The Sky
Up in the skyI saw birdsDown in the valleyI saw dogs and yaksIn schoolI saw a garden in front of the school
In the garden young plants were coming up
In the dreamI closed my eyesIt was very darkI saw my friends and parents
Rinchen Tashi
from Merak
7
120314.indd 7 3/14/2012 11:39:24 PM
8
120314.indd 8 3/14/2012 11:39:27 PM
Yak Festival In Merak
This is one of my favourite stories about the yaks from my place. My parents used to tell me this story when we weregathered around the fireplace in the evening.
Once upon a time there were three brothers. The youngest brother was ugly and his parents did not like him. They gave him an old hat and a short rope and sent him out of the house.He was sad. He cried and cried. The boy was wandering and he reached a big piece of ground. He said to the ground: ”From today and onwards, ground, you are my parents.”
The beautiful birdHe turned to the right three times and turned to the left three times. He saw a beautiful bird flying above the ground. He went there and saw three eggs in a nest. One egg was black, another was white, and the third one was brown. He broke the black egg. A yak came out.
The yak was taken by the goats. He broke the white egg, and a white yak came out of it. The yak was taken by the demi-gods. Lastly he broke the brown egg, and a white female yak came out of it. This time he tied up the yak and kept it for himself. He gave the female yak to his parents – the ground.
The last yak to the earthIn this way the female yak was given to this earth, and since that day people of Merak and Sakteng in the far east of Bhutan have been performing yak cham (a festival celebrating the beloved yaks). Today the people of Merak and Sakteng still celebrate the yak cham festival once a year.
Rinchen Tashifrom Merak
9
120314.indd 9 3/14/2012 11:39:27 PM
Everyday Lifein the Town
10
120314.indd 10 3/14/2012 11:39:29 PM
My name is Sonam Chopel. I am 12 years old and I am in class VI. My town is Samtse and I have six members in my family. My father is a head teacher and my mother is a teacher. I have an elder brother and a sister. My grandmother also lives with us. We have a big house. I am lucky that I live in a town where there are so many good facilities I can use in my everyday life.
So my everyday life is different from the children in rural areas. I feel sorry for these children who come from villagesbecause they cannot use the modern facilities like I do.
Getting ready for school at 6 a.m.My daily life starts at 6.00 a.m. in the morning. I get ready for school and I go to school at 8.00 a.m. In the school we start the day with social work, prayer and important announcements of the day. By 3.20 p.m. the school day ends with the evening prayers.
I love table tennisSo I spend most of my time in the school. I enjoy being in the school because there are so many interesting activities besides reading and writing. We have different
clubs and I am in the table tennis club. I have joined this club because I loveplaying it. I also have many good friends who I have a great time with. Sometimes I also get angry and quarrel with them. When this happens I feel lonely and sad. So the next day I say sorry, and apologise if I am wrong, and we are friends again.
When I feel very proud of myselfRight after school I come back home. I also like being at home with my family. We discuss many interesting things that hap-pened in the school during the day. I also love to eat the delicious food prepared by my grandmother who is very old and can not hear. When I am at home I help my parents with small chores like water-ing our small flower garden, washing my father’s car, and washing my own clothes. These are moments when I feel very proud of myself.
At the weekends I also enjoy going shop-ping with my mother. Sometimes, when my mother gives me a list of things to buy from the grocery shop, I feel happy and proud because she trusts me incalculating the money correctly.
Weekends are also special for me because I go swimming and play football with my friends. Creative and trying new thingsBesides playing, the thing I like the most is creating new things with simple machines
So sad to seeIn my everyday life there are also some sad moments. I feel sad and sorry when I see poor and homeless people. When I grow up I think I will do something to help them. I always like to see my parents share happy times together, but when things go wrong they sometimes quarrel.This makes me very sad.
This makes me feel goodSamtse town, where I live, is a small town but there are many modern facilities. We also have a big chorton (stupa) and a monastery where people can pray and of-fer butter lamps on special days. I also like going to these places with my parents to offer our prayers. It makes me feel good.
Sonam Chophel from Samtse
11
120314.indd 11 3/14/2012 11:39:29 PM
1212
120314.indd 12 3/14/2012 11:39:54 PM
Wish
I wish I could flyLike a beautiful birdUp in the sky, so high
I would see people in crowdsShouting at me with loud voicesI would enjoy it very muchLike playing with a toy
I would feel very freeUp above the mountains and planesLike an airplaneOn a journey of thousands of miles
Sonam Chopelfrom Samtse
13
120314.indd 13 3/14/2012 11:40:03 PM
This is the bedtime Bhutanese story told to me by my father when I was in first grade.
Once upon a time in a village there lived a poor man. One day, when he was going to town, he found a very unique hen. He took it to his house and he kept it for a month. Then one day he woke up in the morning and found a golden egg. Then he became very happy and fed the hen and after that day the hen always used to lay golden eggs. Slowly he became very rich. One day he decided to kill the hen because he wanted more than one golden egg every time. He thought the hen was very old and could not lay more eggs. But before it was killed, the hen laid a golden egg and hid it under a bush because the hen knew the cruel man’s intentions of killing her.
Hammer, needle, cow dung and the bee make plansAfter a few days the egg came out of the bush to take revenge against the man. The egg was going to the farm where the man lived. On the way to the farm, he met his four old friends which were a hammer, a needle, cow dung and a bee. They all made a plan to teach the man a lesson. As planned, the hammer hidbehind the door, the needle hid under the mattress, the cow dung waited outside the house and the bee hid inside the coop.
The Ungrateful Man – A Folk Story
14
120314.indd 14 3/14/2012 11:40:03 PM
The four friends and the egg take revengeWhen the man arrived from the market, the egg made a loud noise like that of his mother after laying an egg and, hearing the sound of a hen, the man rushed to the coop in surprise. The bee who had been waiting for the man stung him on the nose and the man shouted in pain and went running to the house. As he tried to enter the house, he slipped on the cow dung and banged his head very badly on the ground. Then he got up and entered the house but the hammer hiding behind the door hit the man very hard on his head.
Don’t be so greedy…By that time, the man was really suffering a lot of pain. So, he wanted to go to his bed and lay down. But the needlehiding underneath the mattress pierced his buttock. So, he couldn’t bear the pain anymore and went outside the house for help but he fell down into the pit and died.The egg and his four friends were happy because of theirsuccessful plan.
Lastly I end here with a small message that greediness andungratefulness bring unhappiness. So this story tells us to be happy with what you have and also be kind to others.
Sonam Chopelfrom Samtse
15
120314.indd 15 3/14/2012 11:40:04 PM
in a Nunnery
Everyday Life
16
120314.indd 16 3/14/2012 11:40:06 PM
My name is Dechen Choden. I am twelve years old and a nun in the nunnery Karma Drubdey at Trongsa. I’ve been here in the monastery for three months. I come from a family with four sib-lings. I have an older sister, an older brother, and a younger sister. I come from Samdrubcholing. In the village I had to work hard, look after the cattle, work in the fields and gather firewood.
A wish to find the land of blissI chose to come here myself. I want to find the land of bliss - Dewachen. That is why I came here.I am very happy to be a nun here. We’re comfortable with each other here. I have many good friends. I like to tend the flowers and water them.
Happy and learning a lotI’ve never gone to school. My parents did not send me to school as there was no one to look after the cattle in our home. Here I can learn to read and write and learn about the Buddha.We learn Dzongkha and English. I’m very happy here. I amhappier here than in the village. Sometimes I see my family, they come to visit, and I can visit them.
Prayer, work and studiesWe practise the Buddha’s teachings - how to be tolerant, kind and patient. How you love others.We get up at 4 in the morning for morning prayers in the temple. Afterwards we study and receive instruction. At midday we have lunch. Then we receive teachings or study by ourselves. In the afternoon we work sometimes, clean up, and water the flowers. We have also helped to build new rooms here. In the afternoon we pray in the temple before we have supper. For special events we decorate the temple altar and offer a lot of food on the altar.
Dechen Chodenfrom Trongsa Nunnery
17
120314.indd 17 3/14/2012 11:40:07 PM
This story my father told to me as abedtime story. It has fascinated me ever since, and I will always learn from it: There once was a village called Kazhi. Here lived two women Angay Baodem and Angay Baogem. They both had a disease called goiter, where the neck has lumps. Both their goiters were the size of a pumpkin. They had the same disease and nearly identical names but their personalities were very different. Angay Baogem was a very religious, compassionate person with a big heart. She was always ready to helpothers. Angay Baodem was the opposite. She was jealous, selfish and would not lift a finger to help others.
On a long journeyOne day Angay Baogem went to the water mill to grind rice. It was a long journey, and she had to go through a thick forest with the rice bag on the back. She started early morning and it was nightbefore she reached the water mill. She had to sleep there, and she sat down under a tree and offered a prayer to the goddess Dema to protect her at night.
Angay Baodem and Angay Baogem
18
120314.indd 18 3/14/2012 11:40:11 PM
A demon finds Angay BaogemShe fell asleep without knowing that Sinpo a carnivorous demon was nearby. Heexpected her to be asleep so he could enjoy his feast. He stared at her inastonishment, “What a strange creature. There is so much meat hanging from her neck. It looks delicious!”He cut off the goiter and ran away greedily with the lump.
When Angay Baogem woke up she saw that the goiter was gone. She was sohappy that she sang and danced all the way back to the village. People weredelighted and surprised by her story. Angay Baodem also heard the story and a thought went through her head, “Angay Baogem looks beautiful without the goiter. If she can get it removed, then I can too.”
Angay Baodem calls for SinpoAngay Baodem took off early onemorning with a sack of rice and came to the mill for the evening. She sat under the same tree and lay down to sleep without praying. She soon became impatient, so
she shouted, “Hey, you, Sinpo, come out and take my goiter.” Sinpo was furious because someone was trying to give him orders. He wanted to see who it was. When he saw her he was reminded of the previous goiter he had eaten that tasted very bitter. He threw it up on her neck and said, “Take your meat back, I do not like it”, and then he ran away.
She gets what she deservesThe next morning when Angay Baodem woke up, she had not just one but two swollen goiters on the neck. She was ashamed of her behaviour and went back to the village full of regret. Everybody laughed at her and thought she was given what she deserved. This story tells us that we must always be sincere in our thoughts. A Bhutan proverb says: “If you have good thoughts then even the earth and the sky clear the way for you, but if you have evil thoughts the very earth and sky will be your obstacles.”
Kesang Yuden from Sarbang Tar
19
120314.indd 19 3/14/2012 11:40:12 PM
School
20
120314.indd 20 3/14/2012 11:40:15 PM
5.30: I wake up early in the morning and go directly to thebathroom to brush my teeth and wash my face. Then I get dressed and go for morning study with some of my friends who are good students.
6.00: Our morning study starts. After that I return home to have breakfast with my parents. We have navy blue stockings and black shoes as our school uniform. I wear this school uniform which we call Sethara in our language. I also have a youngersister and a brother who walk with me to school.
7.00: Before we go to assembly we have to do social work. My chores during the social work are:- To clean the assembly ground- To flush the drains, and advise my younger brothers and sisters to pick up the papers in and around the academic block and classroom buildings.
8.20: Our national anthem starts. I go to assembly with all my friends. It is my turn to give today’s speech. All the teachers are standing in the front of the assembly hall. Our head teacher is standing in the middle of the teaching group.
My first period is Mathematics. It is a big headache for me as I struggle to do well. My maths teacher guides me when I have aproblem. We have Dzongkha in the second period, which is our national language. I enjoy reading Dzongkha books, especially
those books that describe our unique culture, and legendary myths.
Our third period is very interesting and is my best subject. Hari Prasad is my science teacher. I like to experiment in thelaboratory especially to mix the different solutions and to find the results. I also like to see parts of objects through amicroscope. Our fourth period is Geography. The teacher comes to class well prepared and teaches us on the concept of our earth and the natural surroundings.
12.00: While my friends, who are boarders go for their lunch I walk home to have lunch with my two younger siblings. Myfamily waits at home for us to have lunch together.
1.00: We go back to school to attend the sixth period. It is a relaxing time for us since it is Value class. It is a lesson where we learn about our heritage, culture, our songs and stories.
3.20: As soon as our school closes we take down our national flag and attend evening prayer. After that I go home to rest for a while and do my homework.
7.30: I have my dinner with my family and by eight o’clock I go to sleep.
Tashi Tobgay from Yadi
How I go to School and learn with my Teachers
21
120314.indd 21 3/14/2012 11:40:15 PM
School Surroundings
Our school name is Bardho Primary School. It is under Zhemgang District. Our school was built in 1965, and at our school there are 85 students, four teachers, and two cooks.
There are three buildings, and our school has classes from PP to six, and there are many flowers surrounding the school. At our school there are two grounds, the football ground and the volleyball ground. The school has six toilets, one kitchen, and one dining hall. In this school there are many trees like peach trees, banana trees, rhododendrons, walnut trees, cypress trees, and oak trees, etc.
There is one hostel for boys and onehostel for girls. The head teacher has a house, and there are two kitchens for teachers, and two World Food Programme stores. At our school there is tap water and one spring for water.
Chimi Damafrom Bardho
22
120314.indd 22 3/14/2012 11:40:19 PM
We wear our National Dressand speak Dzongkha
We all wear our national dress, gho and kira, when we go to school. The gho is for boys and the kira is for girls. We all study English and Dzongkha. Dzongkha is our national language and also an important part of our studies. Writing and reading Dzongkha takes a long time to learn and requires constant practice. We students are onlyallowed to speak Dzongkha and English in the school compound.Every Bhutanese child must attend school from age six. However, many children attend school from age four.
Kesang Delkarfrom Taktse
120314.indd 23 3/14/2012 11:40:21 PM
Class is my Home
Students are my friendsKarma Leki is my nameFootball is my favourite game
Ground is greenSky is blueBumdeling is the name of my school
River is highSand is lowI love my village
Karma Leki from Bumdeling
24
120314.indd 24 3/14/2012 11:40:29 PM
Dustbin Oh! DustbinStaying at the back of the doorDirty things are thrown inside youYou say: “USE ME”But sometimes people are not using youWhy is that?
You remain as empty as my stomachHungrily waitingNear the step, behind the doorWithout knowledge to fill yourselfYou have no wish to fill yourselfOnly quoting “USE ME”
Oh! DustbinThe people around youDisagree for your words; “USE ME”Wherever people go they see you
Dustbin, dustbinThank you for saying “USE ME”Now we use you and obey you
Sangay Wangchukfrom Ura
120314.indd 25 3/14/2012 11:40:35 PM
Family
26
120314.indd 26 3/14/2012 11:40:37 PM
I always think that I am a very lucky girl to be born in this beau-tiful and peaceful country and by my loving parents. I am my parents’ only daughter, and my brothers’ only sister of my four brothers. So that’s why I am the most loved person in myfamily. My family consists of my dad, my mum, my four brothers, my grandmother and myself.
My dad is an ex-Gup (village leader), my mum is a housewife, my brother Sonam is a monk in Mysore, my brother Phurba a clerk, and my two younger brothers are students studying in classes five and three. I am my mother’s third child. I had two sisters but they died due to an evil spirit in my village. My parents told me that the spirit used to kill all their daughters. So my eldest sister lost her life, and after her my eldest brother Sonam was born. My brother Phurba was born next, and my second sister, who died too, was born after him.
After her I was born and my parents told me that if Dalai Lama wasn’t there to save me I might have faced the same fate as my sisters did. I still have faith in him. I love my family more than anything in the universe. I would even give my life for them.
Sangay Lhadenfrom Daga
My Family
27
120314.indd 27 3/14/2012 11:40:37 PM
ACHO (Big Brother)It’s true that birth is given by parentsBut my life is a gift from my achoWho helps me see the world betterTeaches me what is the best for meCorrects me if I am wrong
He always guides me along the right pathTeaches me patience, tolerance, perseverance, punctuality and disciplineMakes me laugh, makes me cryBut through the tears and smilesI learned the things that no books can teach
He never hurts my feelingsDoes not allow any kind of boredom or illness invade my mindHe is the one I love and respectAnd feel proud of, for his goodness and integrity
All the values and principlesThat govern my life have been instilled in me by achoWhatever I am today is only because of himTo his greatness I owe my life
Tschewang Dorjifrom Gaupel
28
120314.indd 28 3/14/2012 11:40:43 PM
Only One
Hundreds of stars in the pretty skyHundreds of birds go singing byHundreds of butterflies on the flowersHundreds of bees in one swarmHundreds of flowers in a beautiful gardenHundreds of sweets in a shopHundreds of fish in the seaHundreds of animals in the wildHundreds of fruits in our forestHundreds of people in the worldBut only one wonderful mother in all over the world
Prakeet Raj Gurung
from Samtse
29
120314.indd 29 3/14/2012 11:40:48 PM
30
120314.indd 30 3/14/2012 11:40:51 PM
Oh! My old grannyYou’re my best nannyYour touch never I forgetYour presence never I regret
You caught my tiny fingersAnd showed me the wayYou’re my best nannyThat’s what I say
Your soothing voice I hear no moreYour gentle form I see no moreGranny, you’re no moreBut I want you more and more
Your absence fills my eyes with tearsWhich I can’t bearI love you my grannyYou’re my best nanny
Tshering Pemfrom Wangkha
My Old Granny
31
120314.indd 31 3/14/2012 11:40:53 PM
32
Food
120314.indd 32 3/14/2012 11:40:56 PM
Early in the morning Bhutanese drink tea with ‘Zhau’ (fried rice). Rice is the main source of food. Besides rice people eat dishes made out of flour, especiallysouthern Bhutanese, who have dishes with hot chilli pickles. The northernBhutanese’s main dish is red rice with “phaksha paa” (a long slice of pork that is cooked with radish and red chillies), “emma datsi“ (chillies cooked with cheese and butter), and “ezay” (chilli pickles). They eat such dishes especially during “rimdo” (rituals), but most of the time they eat rice with vegetable curry; such as potato, cabbage, ginger, saag, etc.
Bhutanese farmers cultivate only the grains and vegetables mentioned, andBhutanese farming is just self sufficient, there is not much left to sell. For money they cultivate cash crops like apples, or-anges, cardamom, etc., and from that money they buy other things they need.
Tika Ramfrom Samthang
33
120314.indd 33 3/14/2012 11:40:56 PM
A Month without Meat
A very interesting thing about theBhutanese is that our diet changes along with the seasons and festive occasions. We usually don’t eat meat during the first month of the Bhutanese calendar as it is called Saga Dow, an auspicious month.
So during Saga Dow our diet will consist of mostly vegetables like dried chillies,spinach, radish, pumpkin, etc. Soon after we celebrate our annual pujas where the dishes prepared are very delicious.
Sherab Tshomofrom Gaupel
34
120314.indd 34 3/14/2012 11:41:03 PM
I am a Foodie Girl
I can’t help myself when I see the delicious food which my momprepares. She is a good cook. In Daga we don’t get all kinds ofvegetables and fruits, so we have to order them from Phuntsholing and Thimphu. I am a foodie girl and love food. I really enjoy eating spicy meals which my mother makes for me. My mouth begins to water when I look at her food. Here, we mostly get vegetables like beans, spinach, potatoes, cabbage, and lady fingers.
Deo Mayafrom Daga
120314.indd 35 3/14/2012 11:41:07 PM
Recipe for Emma DatsiEmma datsi is a Bhutanese stew with cheese and chilli.For 3-4 people you need:
250 g of chilli (cut into strips lengthwise, remove seeds. Wash hands thoroughly and be careful not to scratch your eyes when you have touched the chilli!)1 chopped onion2 tomatoes250 g feta or gorgonzola5 cloves garlic3 fresh coriander leaves 2 tsp. oil
Add the chopped chilli and chopped onion into a saucepan of water (about 4 cups of water).Add 2 tsp. oil. Boil it all for 10 minutes.Add tomatoes and garlic and cook for 2 minutes.Add cheese and simmer for 2-3 minutes.Add the coriander and turn off the heat. Stir. Put the lid on for 2 min. Emma datsi is served with plenty of rice and possibly othervegetables. The cheese they use in Bhutan is only available there, but you can easily use feta or gorgonzola.
Source:Phub Wangmo from Thimphu
36
120314.indd 36 3/14/2012 11:41:09 PM
Recipes
Recipe for MomosA momo is a steamed bun with baked meat or vegetables. The filling can be made of minced beef, chicken or pork, with onions, garlic, coriander, cumin, salt, pepper, tomato, cabbage, potatoes, and cheese. Momos can also be made with vegetable filling or with cheese. For 2-3 persons you need:
A steam cooker
Dough150 g of wheat flour mixed with water and a little salt
Vegetable filling100 g frozen chopped spinach. You can also use onions, cheese, cabbage or other vegetables.Salt and pepper to taste100 g parmesan cheese or grated fresh cheeseA little grated nutmeg to taste
Meaty filling100 g minced meat (lamb, beef or pork)2-3 finely chopped onions20 g of oilChopped fresh cilantro/corianderMinced ginger and garlicSoy sauce and oil to bind the ingredients togetherSalt and pepper to taste
The doughMix the flour with the lukewarm water and possibly some yeast and salt. Knead it together.Sprinkle the table with flour, so it’s easy to roll the dough.Roll the dough with a pastry roller until it is approximately 2 mm thick.Cut the dough into circles with a glass or the like.
Put in the filling Put a teaspoon of filling in the middle of the dough circles and fold the dough over the top. You will now have a half-moon, which can be folded together to look like a clamshell. Place the filled and sealedmomos in a steam-cooker (brush it with oil if it is metallic). Momos with vegetable filling cook for 15 minutes, while momos with meat must cook for 20 minutes.Keep an eye on the momos duringcooking.Serve the momos immediately, preferably with a good chilli or tomato sauce.
Source:Phub Wangmo from Thimphu
37
120314.indd 37 3/14/2012 11:41:09 PM
Friends
38
120314.indd 38 3/14/2012 11:41:15 PM
Read the Bhutanese story about the
four friends at www.lifeinbhutan.dk
I love to spend my time with my friends. In our life we meet countless people but everybody does not leave the sameimpression as friends do. Our life is short with moments of happiness, sadness and worries, but my friends have always brought sunshine and happiness whenever my life was over shadowed by sorrows.
My friends are one of my most noble and priceless possessions. I have eight best friends who have always beencooperative and supportive in my life. They always stand by my side when I am in need. I really love my friends, and I al-ways try to make some time for them. Yes, I agree that all friends are not the same, we have false as well as true friends, but I believe that I have made the right choice among thousands of people in this world. I will always value my friendships and keep them till I die.
Samjana Rai from Gaupel
Time with Friends
39
120314.indd 39 3/14/2012 11:41:16 PM
A Friend like You
When I met a friend like youMy heart knew a bundle of joyThe warmth of your love gave richesThat even money couldn’t buy
The way you touched my lifeBrought heaven within reachThe lessons in love I learntOnly the school of life can teach
You honoured the child in meYou respected me as an individualYou shared my joy and felt my painUnspoken thoughts, you knew as well
You placed your trust in meCritical were you, but sang praise, tooIt was as if the sun broke throughWhen I came upon a friend like you
Leki Wangdi from Kurther
120314.indd 40 3/14/2012 11:41:21 PM
Friendship is a Flower
Friendship is a flowerWhich blooms forever
It helps us in every way
It cannot be forgotten
Good friends are a blessing
To share our joys and sorrows
Only a friend in needIs a friend indeed
Friendship is a gift of God
It cannot be based on gain or loss
Problems of life can be solved,
With the aid of friends
Friendship is a treasure
Which cannot be measured
It cannot be expressed,
But only experienced
Kesang Delkar
from Taktse
41
120314.indd 41 3/14/2012 11:41:26 PM
Belief
42
120314.indd 42 3/14/2012 11:41:29 PM
Bhutanese are the followers of BuddhismMany Bhutanese people believe in Buddhism and respect the religion. We can see a shrine in every house, and walls covered by beautiful pictures of Gods and Goddesses.Buddhism has flourished in Bhutan for many many years. In every district we can find old Dzongs (castles which include temples and administration offices). In the Dzongs people are taught Buddhism. Monks and nuns live in the Dzongs, and important prayers andceremonies are held inside the temple in the Dzongs. Our government gives importance to religion. Students are taught Buddhism, and in the schools we usually pray after classes.
Sonam Deki
43
120314.indd 43 3/14/2012 11:41:30 PM
What is Buddhism?A religion and philosophy based on thoughts and teachings of the Buddha.
Who is Buddha?A man called Siddhartha Gautama became known as Buddha. He was born around the year 580 BC in Lumbini, a town now situated in Nepal. In Bhutan people believe that several Buddhas have existed. In Bhutan Guru Rinpoche is believed to be the second Buddha after Buddha Gautama.
How old is Buddhism?Buddhism is more than 2,500 years old.
Where does Buddhism come from?It comes from northeastern India.
How many Buddhists are there?Over 350 million people in the world are followers of Buddhism. It is the largest religion in many countries in Asia, including Nepal and Bhutan.
What is Buddhism about?A Buddhist tries to understand life and death and how to overcome suffering. Buddhists seek to achieve Nirvana. It is a peaceful state of mind without suffering. Buddhists want to cultivate happiness, generosity, kindness, and be helpful to others. Buddhists do not believe in one god.
FACTS ON BUDDHISM
44
120314.indd 44 3/14/2012 11:41:30 PM
120314.indd 45 3/14/2012 11:41:40 PM
46
120314.indd 46 3/14/2012 11:41:42 PM
Bhutanese Belief
We believe Guru Rinpoche is the second Buddha. He paidseveral visits to our country. His first visit was made in the year 746 AC. It was during that visit he meditated in the rocky cave and left his body print and later a temple was built on the same site over the rocky cave where Kuje Lhakhang now stands.
We believe the cypress tree, which we see near the temple, has grown from the Guru’s walking stick. A little further away from the temple is a spring that is said to have been created by Guru Rinpoche and is therefore considered to be Dropchu (holywater).
During his second visit he went to Paro Taktsang in the form of Dorje Drolo, riding a tigress. He meditated there for three months and subdued the demons. Later a temple was built on the place where Guru Rinpoche meditated. It is also a verysacred place for us. It is located on a rocky cliff about 1000meters above Paro valley and was built in the year 1692.
Sonam Rabtenfrom Trashigang
47
120314.indd 47 3/14/2012 11:41:44 PM
In Bhutanese culture we must see a Tsechu in this life in order to stay calm and not be frightened when we die. If we see a Tsechu we will be familiar with what is going to happen when we die. We have Tsechus in all twenty districts of Bhutan. During the Tsechu we wear our best clothes and enjoy our special food. We pack our lunch and go to see the religious dances. Thedancers wear masks and show their dances to the public. There are lots of dances performed by the monks at a Tsechu. The most important dances are the black hat dances.
Dancers lead people to the Buddha’s pathThe dancers of the black hat dance wear wide tall black hats and long colorful brocade dresses. These dancers do not wear masks. The dancers assume the appearance of Yogis and in this way they subdue the enemies. This is done in order to lead the beings or spirits to Buddha’s path.This dance is also performed as a ground purification riteduring the construction of dzongs, temples and stupas. The aim is to pacify the evil spirits of the ground and to take over the site.
The dances of the Tsechu are so special that just by seeing them one is purified. All obstacles to belief and understanding are removed.
Tsechu – a Religious Dance
48
120314.indd 48 3/14/2012 11:41:46 PM
Heaven or hellThe other dances are that of the King, or the Lord, of Death. He decides whether one should go to heaven or to hell bylooking in his golden magical mirror. He is weighing the good deeds and the sins we committed when we were alive. In this dance we can see two men. The first man who sinned is taken to hell by devils and the second man is taken to heaven by fairies of the God of heaven as his good deeds conquered his sins. So this dance teaches us to be kind to all beings.
The third mask dance is of pholay and molay, which meanshandsome men and beautiful ladies. In this dance two handsome princes fall in love with two beautiful women and they offer scarves to the women saying they should stay faithful to them. But as the women do not stay faithful the two princes getangry and cut off their wives noses. So this dance is all about trust and faith in each other as wife and husband.
Tshering D Wangmofrom Daga
49
120314.indd 49 3/14/2012 11:41:47 PM
Smile
As tears start from your eyesDon’t be sour, don’t you cryTry a little smileIt’s like magic, like medicineIt keeps you sane and soundWear a smile, lose or winAll the year round
Tashi Phuntsho from Damthang
50
120314.indd 50 3/14/2012 11:41:50 PM
Poem about God
Oh GodWithout you our world is likeA day without the sunA night without the moonA garden without flowersA dog without teethA man without education
A book without wordsA bird without wingsA class without studentsA pen without inkA cup without teaA car without wheels
A curry without saltA plant without waterAn envelope without a letter
Pema Lhamo, from Bardho
51
120314.indd 51 3/14/2012 11:41:52 PM
Beauty of Nature
I like the nature and beauty of the forestWith pure and wonderful creaturesIt is a gift of godTo be savedFor many, many yearsFor generations and generations
It’s a sad thingWhen people harm themIt pains me the mostBut listen to the pleaOf this little boy
Life without a healthy natureA meaningless lifeWould you be able to liveIn a deserted worldNo water, no food, no airThe giver of life
Sonam Chopelfrom Samtse
120314.indd 52 3/14/2012 11:41:58 PM
120314.indd 53 3/14/2012 11:42:09 PM
Future
54
120314.indd 54 3/14/2012 11:42:11 PM
At the moment I am studying in seventh grade. Fifteen years from now will mean a lot of changes for me and my family. I will be serving my country after finishing my studies. My hometown, which is located in one of the remotest part of my country, will then be lit up by buildings, factories and roads. The huts, which presently fill my village, will definitely disappear and different types of buildings will replace them.
The environment and the way people live may change. However, the customs and the culture will remain almost the same be-cause it has been going on unchanged for a long time, but many trees and plants will be destroyed by the people who construct roads, buildings, factories, etc., and as a result many animals will lose their lives as the forests decrease.
There are also risks that people will even lose their lives as they will not know how to use electricity and the complicated machines. After understanding the use of mechanical adversity around them, people might leave agriculture behind. Even if they depend on agriculture, they might not have to work as hard as they do now because there will be lots of machinery to plough the fields. They will not need oxen, instead they will usemachines like power tillers, tractors, etc.
I think people won’t even be able to tell whether it is day or night, because during day the buildings and roads will be bright-ened by the sunlight and at night by the electricity. Therefore, some might even get puzzled.
For me, if I do well in my studies, I would like to become a civil servant. Otherwise I would choose to become an educated farmer.
Soram Wangchukfrom Dorokha
A lot will change in 15 Years
55
120314.indd 55 3/14/2012 11:42:13 PM
A Better and Healthy World
When I grow up I want to become a doctor and save other’s lives. I will check people and give them medicine. I will learn about diseases in our bodies. I will look after my parents by feeding them well and giving them clothes. I will also help our neighbours and be friendly with them. I want to make our country a better place. I want to save people. I want to help our government. I want to be a very great man. In the world there are many sick people and I want to go to other countries to check people. If the people have got bad diseases, I will carry out operations, and if the diseases get worse I will call other doctors to help andperform operations. Like this, I will make thepeople of the world better as well as healthier – this is my dream.
Prakeet Raj Gurungfrom Samtse
120314.indd 56 3/14/2012 11:42:18 PM
I do not have very ambitious dreams in my life. I do not wish to become an owner of factories or a rich woman. The sole object of my life is to lead a life of simplicity and goodness devoted to the service of humanity. The life of a professional leader or politician will not suit me, as most of these people have become parasites on the society. Although I am not fit enough at this age to dream of my profession yet, I would like to dream of teaching as my profession. I want to become a teacher because Bhutan is still an illiterate country. So, to take the masses from the darkness into the light, from ignorance to knowledge, from illiterate to literacy, is really a pious task. That is why I want to take up teaching as myprofession. Teaching has many advantages over other professions. First of all it is free from all the corrupt and sinful practises present in other professions. It is an ideal and nobleprofession in the sense that the teacher remains honest and studious. The teacher gives the gems from her mind to thestudents. The words of wit and wisdom are far more valuable than all the riches, and everyone can benefit the same.
Sonam Gyelmofrom Tsebar
Life of Simplicity and Goodness
57
120314.indd 57 3/14/2012 11:42:20 PM
I dream of becoming a Judge
My dream is to complete a Masters degree course in Dzongkha and to become a judge. Today my
dream is to become a judge of the district court. I do not mind to suffer now, if I reach my goal. I
dream about becoming a judge, because judges deal with law and order of the court. I very much
like rules and regulations because without them man or woman cannot do their work on time.
Kunzang Wangdi
from Jibjokha
5858
120314.indd 58 3/14/2012 11:42:42 PM
Dreams and HopesFirst I will complete my studies. Then I will get a job as an engineer.I will help my village people to repair the old houses.I will help poor people and give them food and clothes.I will repair my old school. I will buy cars and trucks.Nowadays my village people are poor. After 15 years,I will help and make these people rich.I love poor people very much.
I hope I can help these poor people in the future.Rinchen Tashi
from Merak
59
120314.indd 59 3/14/2012 11:43:04 PM
The Way of Lifeswear sværgeinnocent uskyldigpure renclad klædtmankind menneskehedenmar spolerecheat snydepave bane
My country is Bhutan [p.1]border grænsethunder tordendragon dragecarry bæresymbolise symbolisereleadership lederskabreligious religiøs
Facts [p.2]location beliggenhedpopulation befolkningcapital hovedstadarea areallanguage sprogdemocracy demokraticurrency valuta
Long Live the Kingdom [p.3]calm roligpeaceful fredeligtouch berørecivilisation civilisationthough selvomnightmare mareridtbeloved elskede
Everyday Life - in the Country [p.4]situated beliggendefar fjernbuild byggeborn fødtvillage landsbyyak yakoksedonkey æselvegetables grøntsagerin return til gengældload læscabbage kålradish ræddikeweave vævesurround omgiveforest skovvarious forskelligeaccess adgangreduce formindskeprimary school grundskoleinspector inspektørWorld Food ProgrammeFNs fødevareprogramnaughty uartigarchery bueskydning
Up in the Sky [p.7]bird fuglvalley dalyak yakoksegarden haveclose lukke
Yak Festival In Merak [p.9]favourite yndlinggather samle sig evening aftenyoungest yngsteugly grimrope ropecry grædewander vandrereach nå frem tilground jordonwards fremoverturn drejeabove oven overegg ægthird tredjegoat geddemi-gods ‘halv-gud’lastly til slutfemale hunkøntie bindesince sidenperform udførecelebrate fejrebeloved elskede
Glo
ssar
y
60
120314.indd 60 3/14/2012 11:43:05 PM
Everyday Life - in the Town [p.10 ]member medlemhead teacher skolelederelder ældrelucky heldigfacilities faciliteterdifferent forskelligrural landligsocial work socialt arbejdeprayer bønimportant vigtigannouncement meddelelsebesides forudentable tennis bortennisjoin blive medlem afshare delelonely ensomapologise undskylde discuss diskutereduring i løbet afdelicious lækkerprepare tilberedeproud stoltgrocery købmandtrust have tillid til calculate udregnecreate skabefuture fremtidobserve iagttagepoor fattighomeless hjemløschorton tempelmonastery kloster
Wish [p.13]crowd menneskevrimmelshout råbevoice stemmeenjoy nydetoy legetøjmountain bjergjourney rejse
The Ungrateful Man [p.14]ungrateful utaknemmeligunique eneståendehen hønekeep beholdemonth månedwake up vågnegolden af guldfeed fodreslowly langsomtdecide besluttethink tænkecruel grusomintention hensigtkill dræbeneedle nålcow dung kokasserevenge hævnfarm bondegårdlesson lærestregmattress madrascoop hønseburarrive ankommenoise larmrush skynde sigsurprise overraskelsesting stikke pain smerteslip glideenter gå ind igreedy grådigsuffer lidepierce gennemborepit hulmessage beskedgreediness grådighedunhappiness ulykkekind venlig
Everyday Life - in a Nunnery [p.16]nunnery nonneklosternun nonnemonastery kloster siblings søskende older ældreyounger yngrecattle kvægfield mark gather samlebliss lykkecomfortable behageligttend passeDzongkha bhutanesisk sprogpractice udøvetolerant tolerantpatient tålmodigreceive modtage decorate udsmykkealtar alteroffer tilbyde/give
Angay Baodem / Angay Baogem [p.18]bedtime story godnathistoriefascinate fascinereboth beggedisease sygdomgoiter strumalump knudepumpkin græskaridentical identiskpersonality personlighedcompassionate medfølendeheart hjerteready klaropposite modsatjealous jalouxselfish egoistiskmill møllegrind male (på en kværn)through gennemthick tyk
reach nå frem til pray bedegoddess gudindeprotect beskyttecarnivorous kødædendedemon dæmonexpect forventefeast festmåltidastonishment forbavselsedelicious lækkergreedy grådigdelighted henryktsurprise overraskeremove fjernetake off begive sig afstedimpatient utålmodigfurious rasendeprevious tidligerethrow up kaste opswollen opsvulmetashamed flovbehavior opførselregret fortrydedeserve fortjenesincere oprigtigproverb ordsprogevil ondobstacle hindring
61
120314.indd 61 3/14/2012 11:43:05 PM
How I go to School andlearn with my Teachers [p.21]early tidligbrush børstestudy studiumreturn komme tilbagenavy blue marineblå stocking knæstrømperassembly mødesocial work socialt arbejdedrain afløb advise tilrådeacademic akademiskanthem nationalsangstaff personaleheadache hovedpineunique eneståendelegendary legendariskscience naturvidenskabexperiment eksperimenterelaboratory laboratoriesolution opløsningsurroundings omgivelserboarder kostelevlunch frokostattend deltage ivalue værdi
School Surrounding [p.22]primary school grundskole (ca. 5-11 år)PP børnehaveklasseground banedining hall spisesalpeach ferskenoak egetræhostel bostedstore butiktap water vand fra vandhanenspring water vand fra en kilde
We wear our National Dressand speak Dzongkha [p.23]require kræveallow tillade compound grund
Dustbin [p.25]dustbin skraldespandthrow smideremain forbliveempty tomhungry sultenknowledge kundskabquote citeredisagree være uenigobey adlyde
My family [p.27]daughter datterconsist bestå afmonk munkclerk kontorassistentdue to på grund af evil ondspirit åndfate skæbnefaith tillid til
ACHO (Big Brother) [p.28]correct retteguide vejledepatience tålmodighedtolerance toleranceperseverance udholdenhedpunctuality punktlighedlaugh grineinvade invadereintegrity hæderlighedgovern styreinstil fremkaldeowe skylde
Only One [p.29]pretty kønbutterfly sommerfuglswarm kolonisweets slik
My Old Granny [p.31]nanny barnepigepresence nærværregret fortrydesoothing beroligende gentle mildabsence fravær
Food [p.32]fried stegtmain source hovedkildenflour melchilli pickles chili i lageslice skivepork svinekødradish ræddikevegetables grøntsagercabbage kålginger ingefærsaag indiske krydret spinatcultivate dyrkegrain korncrop afgrøde
A Month without Meat [p.34]diet kostseasons årstidoccasions anledningauspicious lykkebringendespinach spinatpumpkin græskarcelebrate fejreannual årligdelicious lækker
Recipe for Emma Datsi [p.36]stew gryderetthoroughly grundigt scratch kløchop hakkeclove fedsimmer simrestir røre i nogetlid låg
62
120314.indd 62 3/14/2012 11:43:05 PM
Recipe for Momos [p.37]bun bollefilling fyldminced meat hakket køddough dejgrate rivenutmeg muskatnødlukewarm lunkenyeast gærknead æltepastry roller kagerulleapproximately cirkaclamshell muslingeskal
Time with Friends [p.39]spend tilbringecountless utallige impression indtrykworries bekymringshadow skyggesorrow sorgnoble ædelpriceless uvurderligpossessions egendelecooperative samarbejdsvilligsupportive støttende
A Friend like You [p.40]bundle bundtjoy glædeheaven himlenwithin indenforreach rækkeviddehonour æreshare deletrust tillidpraise ros
Friendship is a Flower [p.41]bloom blomstreblessing velsignelsegain fremgang aid hjælptreasure skatmeasure måle
Bhutanese are the followersof Buddhism [p.43]respect respektereshrine alter/skrin/helligdomflourish trivesprayer bøngovernment regeringimportance vigtighed
Facts on Buddhism [p.44]philosophy filosofiseveral adskilligefollower tilhængersuffering lidelseseek søger efterachieve opnågenerosity gavmildhed
Bhutanese Belief [p.47]pay a visit aflægge besøg meditate mediterecave grottesite pladsstick stavspring kildetigress huntigersubdue tæmmesacred helligvalley dal
Tsechu – a Religious Dance [p.48]calm roligdie døfamiliar bekendtdistrict områdewear have påmask maskepublic offentligheden/publikumperform opførebrocade brokadeassume antageyogi en hellig mandsubdue tæmmeenemy fjendepurification renselserite ceremonipacify beroligeobstacle hindringweigh vejedeed gerning fairy feconquer besejrehandsome smukscarf tørklædefaithful trofast
Smile [p.50]sane fornuftigsound sund/rask
Poem about God [p.51]education uddannelseenvelope konvolut
Beauty of Nature [p.52]pure rencreature skabninggeneration generationharm skadeplea indtrængende bøndeserted øde
63
120314.indd 63 3/14/2012 11:43:05 PM
A lot will change in 15 Years [p.55]change forandringserve tjeneremote fjerntliggendepresently for tidendefinitely bestemtdisappear forsvindereplace erstatteenvironment miljøcustom skikdestroy ødelæggedecrease mindskesadversity modgangagriculture landbrugplough pløjepower tiller tohjulet traktorbrighten gøre lyserepuzzled rådvildcivil servant embedsmand
A better and healthy world [p.56]disease sygdomneighbour nabogovernment regeringoperation operation
Life of Simplicity and Goodness [p.57]simplicity enkelthedambitious ambitiøssole enestedevoted hengivenhumanity menneskehedenparasite snyltersociety samfundprofession erhvervilliterate analfabetiskignorance uvidenhedknowledge videnliteracy læse-og skrivefærdighederpious fromadvantage fordelcorrupt korruptsinful syndignoble ædelhonest ærligstudious flittiggems guldkort/juvelerwit kløgtvaluable værdifuldbenefit gavne
I dream of becoming a Judge [p.58]complete fuldføremaster degree kandidatgradjudge dommercourt domstolrule regelregulation reglement
Dreams and Hopes [p.59]engineer ingeniørrepair reparerefuture fremtid
64
120314.indd 64 3/14/2012 11:43:07 PM
Alphabetical Glossaryabove oven overabsence fraværacademic akademiskaccess adgangachieve opnåadvantage fordeladversity modgangadvise tilrådeagriculture landbrugaid hjælpallow tillade altar alterambitious ambitiøsannouncement meddelelseannual årliganthem nationalsangapologise undskylde approximately cirkaarchery bueskydningarea arealarrive ankommeashamed flovassembly mødeassume antageastonishment forbavselseattend deltage iauspicious lykkebringende
bedtime story godnathistoriebehavior opførselbeloved elskedebenefit gavnebesides forudenbird fuglblessing velsignelsebliss lykkebloom blomstreboarder kostelevborder grænseborn fødtboth begge
brighten gøre lyserebrocade brokadebrush børstebuild byggebun bollebundle bundtbutterfly sommerfugl
cabbage kålcalculate udregnecalm roligcapital hovedstadcarnivorous kødædendecarry bærecattle kvægcave grottecelebrate fejrechange forandringcheat snydechilli pickles chili i lagechop hakkechorton tempelcivil servant embedsmandcivilisation civilisationclad klædtclamshell muslingeskalclerk kontorassistentclose lukkeclove fedcomfortable behageligtcompassionate medfølendecomplete fuldførecompound grund conquer besejreconsist bestå afcoop hønseburcooperative samarbejdsvilligcorrect rettecorrupt korruptcountless utallige court domstolcow dung kokasse
create skabecreature skabningcrop afgrødecrowd menneskevrimmelcruel grusomcry grædecultivate dyrkecurrency valutacustom skik
daughter datterdecide besluttedecorate udsmykkedecrease mindskesdeed gerning definitely bestemtdelicious lækkerdelighted henryktdemi-gods halv-guderdemocracy demokratidemon dæmondeserted ødedeserve fortjenedestroy ødelæggedevoted hengivendie dødiet kostdifferent forskelligdining hall spisesaldisagree være uenigdisappear forsvindediscuss diskuteredisease sygdomdistrict områdedonkey æseldough dejdragon dragedrain afløb due to på grund af during i løbet afdustbin skraldespandDzongkha bhutanesisk sprog
early tidligeducation uddannelseegg ægelder ældreempty tomenemy fjendeengineer ingeniørenjoy nydeenter gå ind ienvelope konvolutenvironment miljøevening aftenevil ondexpect forventeexperiment eksperimentere
facilities faciliteterfairy fefaith tillid tilfaithful trofastfamiliar bekendtfar fjernfarm bondegårdfascinate fascinerefate skæbnefavorite yndlingfeast festmåltidfeed fodrefemale hunkønfield mark filling fyldflour melflourish trivesfollower tilhængerforest skovfried stegtfurious rasendefuture fremtid
gain fremgang garden havegather samle
65
120314.indd 65 3/14/2012 11:43:07 PM
meditate mediteremember medlemmessage beskedmill mølleminced meat hakket kødmonastery klostermonk munkmonth månedmountain bjerg
nanny barnepigenaughty uartignavy blue marineblå needle nålneighbour nabonightmare mareridtnoble ædelnoise larmnun nonnenunnery nonneklosternutmeg muskatnød
oak egetræobey adlydeobserve iagttageobstacle hindringoccasions anledningoffer tilbyde/giveolder ældreonwards fremoveroperation operation opposite modsatowe skylde
pacify beroligepain smerteparasite snylterpastry roller kagerullepatience tålmodighedpatient tålmodigpave banepay a visit aflægge besøg
peaceful fredeligpeach ferskenperform udføreperseverance udholdenhedpersonality personlighedphilosophy filosofipierce gennemborepious frompit hulplea indtrængende bønplough pløjepoor fattigpopulation befolkningpork svinekødpossession egendelepower tiller to-hjulet traktorPP børnehaveklassepractice udøvepraise rospray bedeprayer bønprepare tilberedepresence nærværpresently for tidenpretty kønprevious tidligerepriceless uvurderligprimary school grundskole (ca. 5-11 år)profession erhvervprotect beskytteproud stoltproverb ordsprogpublic offentligheden/publikumpumpkin græskarpunctuality punktlighedpure renpurification renselsepuzzled rådvild
quote citere
radish radise
gems guldkort/juvelergeneration generationgenerosity gavmildhedgentle mildginger ingefærgoat gedgoddess gudindegoiter strumagolden af guldgovern styregovernment regeringgrain korngrate rivegreediness grådighedgreedy grådiggrind male (på en kværn)grocery købmandground baneground jordguide vejlede
handsome smukharm skadehead teacher skolelederheadache hovedpineheart hjerteheaven himlenhen hønehomeless hjemløshonest ærlighonour ærehostel bostedhumanity menneskehedenhungry sulten
identical identiskignorance uvidenhedilliterate analfabetiskimpatient utålmodigimportance vigtighedimportant vigtigimpression indtryk
in return til gengældinnocent uskyldiginspector inspektørinstil fremkaldeintegrity hæderlighedintention hensigtinvade invaderejealous jalouxjoin blive medlem afjourney rejsejoy glædejudge dommerkeep beholdekill dræbekind venligknead ælteknowledge kundskabknowledge videnlaboratory laboratorielanguage sproglastly til slutlaugh grineleadership lederskablegendary legendarisklesson lærestreglid lågliteracy læse-og skrivefærdighederload læslocation beliggenhedlonely ensomlucky heldiglukewarm lunkenlump knudelunch frokost
main source hovedkildemankind menneskehedenmar spoleremask maskemaster degree kandidatgradmattress madrasmeasure måle
66
120314.indd 66 3/14/2012 11:43:08 PM
reach nå frem til reach rækkeviddeready klarreceive modtage reduce formindskeregret fortryderegulation reglementreligious religiøsremain forbliveremote fjerntliggenderemove fjernerepair reparere replace erstatterequire kræverespect respekterereturn komme tilbagerevenge hævnrite ceremonirope roperule reglrural landligrush skynde sig
saag indisk krydret spinatsacred helligsane fornuftigscarf tørklædescience naturvidenskabscratch kløseasons årstidseek søger efterselfish egoistiskserve tjeneseveral adskilligeshadow skyggeshare deleshout råbeshrine helligdomsiblings søskende simmer simresimplicity enkelthedsince siden
sincere oprigtigsinful syndigsite pladssituated beliggendeslice skiveslip glideslowly langsomtsocial work socialt arbejdesociety samfund sole enestesolution opløsningsoothing beroligende sorrow sorgsound sund/raskspend tilbringespinach spinatspirit åndspring kildespring water vand fra en kildestaff personalestew gryderetstick stavsting stikke stir røre i nogetstocking knæstrømperstore butikstudious flittigstudy studiumsubdue tæmmesuffer lidesuffering lidelsesupportive støttendesurprise forbavselsesurround omgivesurroundings omgivelserswarm sværmswear sværgesweets slikswollen opsvulmetsymbolise symbolisere
table tennis bortennistake off begive sig afstedtap water vand fra vandhanentend passethick tykthink tænkethird tredjethoroughly grundigt though selvomthrough gennemthrow up kaste opthrow smidethunder tordentie bindetigress huntigertolerance tolerancetolerant toleranttouch berøretoy legetøjtreasure skattrust have tillid til trust tillidturn dreje
ugly grimungrateful utaknemmeligunhappiness ulykkeunique enestående
valley dalvaluable værdifuldvalue værdivarious forskelligevegetables grøntsagervillage landsbyvoice stemme
wake up vågnewander vandrewear have påweave væveweigh veje
wit kløgtwithin indenforWorld Food ProgrammeFNs fødevareprogramworry bekymring
yak yakokseyeast gæryogi hellig mandyounger yngreyoungest yngste
67
120314.indd 67 3/14/2012 11:43:08 PM
120314.indd 68 3/14/2012 11:43:11 PM
My Life
Life is a journeyWithout a destinationNo one knows from where it comesLife is mystery
It’s like a stranger in a dark nightNo one can foretell the shortcoming of lifeLife is a song of loveWhich everybody loves to sing
Life is a day of happiness, a day of gayWith a song of a bird and the hum of a beeLife happens only oncePlan a lot of happy days for your life
Sonam Gyelmo
120314.indd 69 3/14/2012 11:43:11 PM
Stories from Children in Bhutan
Marie Venø Thesbjerg
In this book you will meet a lot of children from the country of Bhutan located in the Himalayas. They will tell about their everyday life, their family, friends, schools, their unique culture, nature and about their dreams for the future.
Go ahead. Take a look and enjoy their stories!
Stories from
Ch
ildren
in B
hu
tanM
arie Venø Thesbjerg
My Life
Life is a journeyWithout a destinationNo one knows from where it comesLife is mystery
It’s like a stranger in a dark nightNo one can foretell the shortcoming of lifeLife is a song of loveWhich everybody loves to sing
Life is a day of happiness, a day of gayWith a song of a bird and the hum of a beeLife happens only oncePlan a lot of happy days for your life
Sonam Gyelmo14 years old
120310 ForRygBag.indd 1 3/15/2012 10:24:56 PM