All pronunciation symbols on this site adhere to the Merriam-Webster standards used at http://www.m-w.com/aschart.htm
Atsaras - The "clowns" at festivals. Kuensel published a detailed article, titled "Behind the Mask", about the atsaras and their costumes in October of 2003. See http://www.kuenselonline.com/article.php?sid=3345
Chimis - National assembly members
Chorten - Evolved from the Stupa. A memorial building which houses figures and items found in temples. Many chortens are sealed. See http://www.buddhanet.net/stupa.htm for more information.
Dranyen - A six-string lute-like instrument. Also, the national instrument of Bhutan. See http://www.kuenselonline.com/article.php?sid=2706 for information on a modified type of dranyen, called a Rigsar Dranyen.
Dzong \zong\- A Buddhist monastery and administrative center for a district. Dzongs originally started as a defensible fortress for a town.
Gho \gO\ - The traditional Bhutanese clothing for men.
Goemba - a monastery. Unlike a dzong, a goemba does not also serve as the headquarters for a district.
Gups - Village headmen
Guru Rinpoche - This name means "precious master". He arrived in Bhutan in 1616 and is credited with bringing Buddhism to Bhutan, as well as establishing the dual system of religious and secular government. See http://www.kingdomofbhutan.com/kingdom.html for more information.
Kabney - (Per the "Lonely Planet") About 90 cm wide and 3 m long, is usually made of raw silk
with long fringes at the ends. Wearing the kabney is an important part of Bhutanese etiquette, and must be put on in a particular manner so that it
drapes in the correct way and can be ceremonially "unfurled" for the traditional respectful bow to the king, the Je Khenpo, or other high
officials. It is always worn over the left shoulder and the color denotes a person's rank. Historically, the kabney is derived from the shawl or
shoulder scarf worn by Tibetan monks.
Despite its ceremonial importance, the kabney may also be used for lesser purposes such as carrying luggage!
Citizens wear a kabney of unbleached white silk and each level of official wears a different colored scarf:
Saffron is for the king and Je Khenpo
Orange for lyonpos
Blue for members of the Royal Advisory Council
Red for those with the title Dasho (like minister of culture, etc.), and other senior officials
whom the king has recognized
White with blue stripes for chimis
White with red stripes on the outside for gups
Small white cloth scarf with red border for members of the army
Kira - The traditional Bhutanese clothing for women.
Lhakang - Generally used to mean "temple", the term lhakang is a bit confusing, because it may be used to
refer to both the building itself and to the room inside the building that is the primary chapel.
Lyonpos - Members of the council of ministers
Phallus - A phallic symbol commonly used to ward off evil demons. It's meaning is really much more complex. See the article on Kuensel: http://www.kuenselonline.com/article.php?sid=2473 for a full story.
Rachu - (Per the "Lonely Planet") Women's equivalent
to the kabney. These are smaller than the kabney--about 90cm by 2m. Women use it unfolded to carry children on
their backs (we often saw these women & babies). For formal occasions it is folded in
thirds lengthwise and once to bring the two ends together, forming a narrow scarf that is draped over the left shoulder. A more
convenient modern version of the rachu--a small pre-folded cloth--is frequently worn by women working in government offices.
The rachu is traditionally woven in silk or raw silk in festive shades of red, maroon or
orange, and is embellished at the fringed ends with fine embroidery.
Stupa - A spiritual building. See http://www.stupa.org.nz for more information.
Thangka or Thanka \to[ng]kä\- A scroll painting of specific, religious nature. See http://www.spinybabbler.org/articles_on_the_arts/thangka_and_paubha_paintings.htm for more information.
Thondrel - A large thanka
Toego - A short open jacket worn over a kira.
Wonju - A silk blouse that women wear under a kira.