The Cult of Radrap (Ra dgra), nep of Wangdue Phodrang (Bhutan)

Revue d’Etudes Tibétaines Number 15, November 200

Ritualising Story: A way to heal malady

A partial video recording of a presentation by Mr Dorji Penjore (Centre for Bhutanese Studies, Bhutan) on folktales as subaltern literature. Followed by a recording of Dr Tandin Dorji (Institute for Management Studies, Bhutan) on the use of ritualising stories to heal malady.World Oral Literature Project: an urgent global initiative to document and make accessible endangered oral literatures before they disappear without record

The mast seeding plants of Bhutan

Mast seeding, the intermittent production of synchronized seed crops among plant populations, is a world-wide phenomenon that has been reported in the Himalayan mountains across a large number of habitat types, and among a wide variety of long-lived grass, shrub and tree species. In this paper, we review various hypotheses that explain why mast seeding occurs, and describe a number of the better-known mast seeding floral elements that exist in Bhutan. We also stress the need for further documentation of the seeing cycles of plants in Bhutan, and emphasize the need for careful management of species that rely on mast seed crops for their regeneration

Diversity and Origin of Dengue Virus Serotypes 1, 2, and 3, Bhutan

To determine the serotype and genotype of dengue virus (DENV) in Bhutan, we conducted phylogenetic analyses of complete envelope gene sequences. DENV-2 (Cosmopolitan genotype) predominated in 2004, and DENV-3 (genotype III) predominated in 2005–2006; these viruses were imported from India. Primary dengue infections outnumbered secondary infections, suggesting recent emergence

The Spider, the Piglet and the vital Principle: A popular Ritual for Restoring the sRog

The essay presents an overview of a non-Buddhist ritual conducted to restore the vital principal or the life force of a sick person in the village of Trashi Tokha in Western Bhutan. The paper also attempts to discuss the concept of srog and bla as well as the symbolic presence of the spider, the pig and the birds in the ritual

Ritualizing Story: A Way to Prevent Malicious Spirits from Causing Malady

As an ancient art and a tradition that is deeply embedded in Bhutanese culture, storytelling is a powerful vehicle for instilling values and connecting generations and communities. It is also a source of entertainment and amusement. Today, in many countries, revival storytelling groups are being formed as a means to rebuild family bonds. But does the purpose of storytelling go beyond entertainment, preserving and transmitting cultural values and building community? This paper will study a ritual called Gyalpo choedni (Expelling the Gyalpo) as a case to illustrate storytelling as a way to propitiate malicious spirits in order to keep malady and unhappiness causing spirits at bay and thereby to usher in happiness

Performance assessment of urban water supply system in Phuentsholing City, Bhutan

TypescriptThesis (MEngSc) -- University of Melbourne, Faculty of Engineering, 2006Includes bibliographical references (leaves 62-69)CD-ROM content not included in digitised versio

Ritualising Story: A way to heal malady

Video recording of three presentations given at the National Storytelling Conference June 2009 Bhutan. The first is a partial recording of Mr Steven Evans presentation on the impact of cultural folklore in Bhutan. The second is a recording of Mr Dorji Penjore giving a presentation on folktales as subaltern literature. The third is partial recording of a presentation given by Dr Tandin Dorji (Institute for Management Studies, Bhutan) on ritualising stories used to heal malady.World Oral Literature Project: an urgent global initiative to document and make accessible endangered oral literatures before they disappear without record