Chinese, Indian, Italian, or Continental. Name it and the majority of the Bhutanese youth will not just know it all by name but might as well prepare them. But many would struggle if asked to name, let alone prepare, a local cuisine that their hometown is known for. To preserve and promote the tradition of preparing local cuisines among the younger generations, Norbugang village in Talo Gewog in Punakha is carrying out a stewardship project together with the department of culture.
43-year-old Kinley Dem from Norbugang is one of the members of the group undertaking the stewardship project. She knows how to prepare a dish locally known as Jatsa Gongdo. It is egg fried the local way. It is considered one of the most favoured dishes among the people of Norbugang since time immemorial.
A curry prepared with pork, beef, dried chilies and rice noodles is another delicacy that is popular among the people of Norbugang. Elders in the community call it ge-gew.
And among the many dishes that Norbugang is known for is Nobgang Ezay Nyergum prepared with nine varieties of ingredients. Village elders has it, that in the past, the dish used to be among the delicacies that sit at the table of high-ranking officials.
But the younger generations can hardly remember the last time they prepared these dishes.
With modernisation sweeping almost every aspect of the Bhutanese lifestyle, these dishes which once formed the identity of Norbugang are on the verge of disappearing. Today, the duty of preserving them fell on Nobgang Tsherim Group.
Pem, a member of the group said not many know about these dishes as many people leave for urban areas and get oriented with western culture. “We are planning to keep these traditional culture alive by learning about them from our parents and later pass them on to younger generation.”
“Jatsa Gongdo dish is already popular in our community and we will impart the art of preparing it if any interested unemployed youth come forward to learn,” said Kinley Dem.
The group started the initiative as a business last month under the Royal Patronage of Her Majesty the Queen Mother Tshering Yangdoen Wangchuck. The group members said it is a good start already. They have earned about twenty thousand ngultrum within a month.
“All the food items are traditional here and even the price is reasonable. So, I frequently come here with my friends. The food is delicious,” said Tshering Penjor, a resident of Norbugang.
“We are making good income out of it. We have our customers from the nearby dratshang and even the elderly people of the community come here. Likewise, we also have customers coming from Thimphu to taste our dishes,” said Wangchuk, a member of the group.
Alongside cuisines, the group is also preserving traditional Bhutanese architecture known as Kabu-Dharcham. One such structure is currently housing the group’s business while one is nearing completion which will be used for lodging purpose.
Ugyen Dorji, an engineer with the home and cultural affairs ministry said the place is rich in culture and tradition and can be explored as tourist destination. “There are several historical and cultural sites in the area such as sacred temples and women’s weaving centres. So, we are planning to initiate tour programs to take the visitors to those places. Likewise, we will also initiate hiking programme between Norbugang and Talo for sight-seeing.”
The project is a first of its kind. The government is providing the financial support to create economic opportunity for the community while preserving culture and tradition. It is also expected to address rural-urban migration.
Changa Dorji, Wangdue Phodrang
