The Role of the Story in Bhutan
“In the memory of the people dwell the folktales ready to be
‘untied’ at an appropriate time”.40 In Bhutan History the literary genre
of khaju, or ‘oral transmission’, serves as an important tool of
communication between one generation and another.41
Tandin Dorji, lecturer of history at Sherubtse College in
Kanglung, said: The role that it plays in the transmission of moral values,
philosophy, beliefs, humour [sic], etiquette, and many other
traits specific to the Bhutanese society holds an increasingly
eminent place…. What is special about Bhutanese folktales is
that it is still a living tradition in many pockets of rural
Bhutan. In the villages which are far flung from motor roads,
the narration of folktales in the pastures and in the evenings
is today very much alive.
He questions, however, “How long will it continue to survive?
Will the development process engulf this beautiful tradition?
What can be done to keep this heritage alive?”43
Kunzang Choden, author of the classic book Folktales of
Bhutan, indicates that stories in the Mountain Kingdom are
not narrated, but “released” or “set free” (tangshi.)44 “This
could then imply that the Bhutanese and the folktales are
inextricably interwoven,” Dorji said. “It wouldn’t be wrong to
comment that they are found one inside the other. The
folktales contain the traits and aspects of the Bhutanese. In
the memory of the people dwell the folktales ready to be
‘untied’ at an appropriate time”.45 Excluding the narration of
epics and the biographies of saints, Dorji observes that there
are no professional storytellers and no particular way or place
40 Dorji, Tandin (2002) “Folktale Narration: A Retreating Tradition.”
Journal of Bhutan Studies,
Source : Journal of Bhutan Studies
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