Tsharzo, the art of bamboo weaving in Bhutan, relies on locally available materials, as Bhutan is home to approximately 34 species of bamboo. However, it has not yet been included in Bhutan’s arts and craft schools’ curriculum. To promote and elevate Bhutanese bamboo weaving, the Choki Traditional Art School has launched Tsharzo as a foundation class. If successful, they plan to incorporate it into the curriculum starting next year.
Currently, 12 students are undergoing training to create bamboo products such as Bangchug, hats, baskets, and more at Choki Traditional Art School
Tshering Wangchuk, a 17-year-old from Zhamgang, shared that he aspired to learn Tsharzo since a young age and hopes to develop his skills further in the future.
Tshering Wangchuk said, “Tsazo is something that has been passed down from generation to generation. I am learning it so that I can promote and preserve it in the future.”
Karma Phuntso, from Samdrup Jongkhar, who began learning Tsharzo from his parents, mentioned that while he had learned some basic weaving skills at home, he finds learning at the school more effective.
He said, “I started showing interest in bamboo weaving after I saw my parents weaving bamboo. Learning it at home is difficult because we have other responsibilities. However, at school, we have the time to focus on it all day, which helps us learn better.”
If the trial programme proves successful, the school plans not only to integrate Tsharzo into the curriculum next year but also to explore product diversification and other potential uses of bamboo.
“We don’t need highly sophisticated tools and materials, and these are easily available in Bhutan. We feel that if the children take it seriously and if they know the skills of how it has been done by our parents, With their modern education, if they can at least learn and enhance, we see there is lot of potential both in Bhutan and international market,” said Sonam Choki, the principal of the Choki Traditional Art School.
Currently, the National Institute for Zorig Chusum in Thimphu and the College of Zorig Chusum at Trashi Yangtse do not offer Tsharzo courses. The College of Zorig Chusum initially had plans to start the course this year, however, as short-term training on the art is being provided in various districts, the plan had to be dropped as the college anticipated fewer enrollments.
Tsharzo is an ancient art in Bhutan. Apart from agriculture, the villagers in parts of eastern and central Bhutan practice it as an additional income source. The people of Kangpara in Trashigang and the Bjokaps in Zhemgang are known for their skills in Tsharzo.
Namgay Wangdi
Edited by Kipchu
