Music and Dance
The Bhutan program at the 2008 Smithsonian Folklife Festival presented all aspects of traditional and contemporary Bhutanese music and dance, thereby offering an opportunity to experience sights and sounds rarely seen or heard outside of the remote Himalayan Kingdom. Both secular and religious music and dance were performed.
Highlights included the dramatic masked dances that comprise a major part of traditional Bhutanese religious festivals—with opportunities offered for visitors to meet and interact with the dancers and to learn about the complex choreography and symbolism presented by the dances. Some of the traditional dances date from the 16th century, and were performed for the very first time in America on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., during the 2008 Smithsonian Folklife Festival. The spectacular costumes and masks worn by the dancers were complemented by rhythmic music all performed on traditional instruments.
The diversity of Bhutanese secular music was also performed, providing opportunities to celebrate occasions of daily life in Bhutan such as rice-planting, plowing and harvesting, house-building, weaving, carpentry, and animal tending. Virtually always communal, visitors were invited to join the Bhutanese dancers and thereby share their celebrations of daily life through these simple but challenging songs and graceful dance movements.
Featured at the Festival
Music and Dance Traditions
Royal Academy of Performing Arts (RAPA)
Apa Dodo, Wangdue Phodrang District, masked dancer
Dengo, Trongsa District, dancer
Dorji Dakpa, Samdrup Jongkhar District, dancer
Dorji Norbu, Samdrup Jongkhar District, masked dancer
Kencho Wangdi, Paro District, dancer
Khandu, Paro District, masked dancer
Kinley Penjor, Trongsa District, dancer
Lhaden, Bumthang District, dancer
Nim Dem, Paro District, dancer
Pema Lhamo, Bumthang District, dancer
Pema Tenzin, Mongar District, dancer
Pema Wangdi, Dagana District, musician
Penjor, Paro District, masked dancer
Phub Lham, Punakha District, dancer
Rinchen Wangdi, Mongar District, dancer
Sangay Wangmo, Trashi Yangtse District, dancer
Sherab Dorji, Trashi Yangtse District, masked dancer
Sonam Chogyel, Zhemgang District, masked dancer
Tashi Lhamo, Paro District, dancer
Tashi Phuntsho, Pema Gatshel District, musician
Thinley Pemo, Trashigang District, dancer
Tshering Dorjee, Haa District, masked dancer
Tshering Wangdi, Trashigang District, masked dancer
Ugyen Tshewang, Pema Gatshel District, masked dancer
Wangchuk, Wangdue Phodrang District, dancer
Wangchuk, Trashigang District, masked dancer
Wangchukla, Zhemgang District, musician
Yeshi Wangchuk, Paro District, masked dancer
Further Reading:
Music
A program sign (in pdf format)
Masked Dances
A program sign (in pdf format)
