There Is No Cultural Appropriation In Bhutan…
Bhutan was my favorite stop on my extended trip to Asia and one of the most beautiful countries I have ever visited. Do you know what else I loved? There is no idea of cultural appropriation in Bhutan.
Cultural Appropriation Is Not A Thing In Bhutan
Without getting into a debate on cultural appropriation, it’s generally not wise these days to wear “ethnic” clothing or hairstyles unless you are a member of that ethnicity. Using Native American tribes for sports teams, wearing dreadlocks if you’re not black, or wearing “stereotypical” clothing to a costume party (for example, donning a “geisha” outfit if you are not Japanese) are all considered cultural faux pas.
But in Bhutan…a Buddhist kingdom of less than one million people…there is little diversity in terms of wardrobe and tourists are expected to comply.
While in the capital city of Thimphu, I visited the Dechencholing Palace and the Changangkha Lhakhang Temple. I planned to wear my “Western” clothes…but was told I needed to wear a Gho, a bathrobe-like garment, belted at the waist with a handwoven belt known as a Kera and worn with knee-high socks and dress shoes. Underneath the Gho is a Tego, a white jacket with long, folded-back cuffs.
That’s what all men wear in Bhutan…
Of course I did not have those items in my wardrobe, but the kind folks at the Le Meridien in Thimphu were happy to loan me a set and even sent up one of the hotel associates to help get me dressed. I bought some knee-high socks at a clothing store across the street from the hotel.
I haven’t gained weight! It’s roomy becuase the the pouch around your stomach is like a big pocket that you carry things in!
Admitedly, I felt a little silly wearing this since I am not Bhutanese. But far from being disrepectful, I was told this is a sign of respect and received several complements for looking like a “real” Bhuthanse man.
And I have to say that was one thing I loved about the country. I was not treated like a foreigner as I am in so-many places (even, more recently, as a Californian in Illnois), but like a member of the family. There are few places in the world…Iran being another one…where I enjoyed such warm hospitality from the locals.
I really liked that about Bhutan. I liked that I was expected to dress the part and it was no big deal…no phony ourage like if I had the audacity to wear a featerhed bonnet or a kimono here in LaLa Land.