Unique Gho Attire in Bhutan

I traveled to Bhutan – the happiest country on earth during the cool autumn breeze. Autumn in Thimphu is remembered with vibrant imagery, crimson prayer flags on house walls, colorful trees transitioning their leaves, and wild daisies blooming golden in the fresh sunlight.

Unique Gho Attire in Bhutan

And there's the golden hue of rice fields on terraced hillsides and vibrant chili fields dancing in the autumn breeze. Every morning as the sun rises over the hills, I enjoy watching the Raidak River flowing gently through Thimphu town. Occasionally, at some rocky stretches, the Raidak River transforms, roaring with waves. On small hills, children dressed in traditional Gho and Kira attire stroll to school. I requested Phuntsho, a local guide, to trim some sightseeing spots in the Thimphu itinerary and help me understand Bhutanese textile technology, weaving the deeply cultural Gho garment intertwined with the spiritual colors of South Asian Buddhism.

“The Gho garment was introduced by the first Lama, Ngawang Namgyal, to the Ngalop people during the spread of Buddhism from Tibet to Bhutan in the 17th century, known as Driglam Namzha. The Ngalop people, ancient Tibetans who settled in the Land of the Thunder Dragon since the 9th century, embraced the beautifully symbolic garment, leading Bhutanese dynasties to adopt Driglam Namzha as their national attire. According to current government regulations, government officials and office workers are required to wear the Gho garment while on duty. Additionally, the Gho is worn during other special festivals held throughout the year. Visiting Bhutan feels like encountering a distant yet culturally close Tibet!” Phuntsho introduced me as we wandered towards the traditional weaving villages not far from the capital city of Thimphu.

In the Land of the Thunder Dragon, there may not be distinctions of wealth, yet those who can afford it cherish Gho garments woven from high-quality silk. A single garment can range from $30 to $3,000, depending on the number of layers of fabric or silk arranged within it and the pattern woven onto the silk. Various patterns are popularly woven into the fabric for making Gho garments, but the four most common styles are tartan, vertical stripes, horizontal stripes, and diagonal stripes.

Referred to as special because the Gho is woven from five basic colors found from wild grasses, trees in the valleys. The yellow fabric symbolizes the radiance of the Buddha aiding humans in crossing the sea of suffering while simultaneously honoring reverence for the King, orange stripes symbolize the monkhood, black stripes symbolize hell, red stripes symbolize supernatural power, and white color symbolizes purity of thought.

Accompanying the traditional Gho attire of the Bhutanese is the Kabney scarf. Observing the Kabney scarf draped diagonally across the body, one can comprehend the individual's societal rank. The saffron-colored scarf is reserved for the King and the head monk of a monastery, the orange scarf is for Ministers or high-ranking government officials, the red scarf is for Royal Family members or senior staff of Ministries, green is for the legal system, sky blue is for parliament members, white with red stripes is for provincial/district heads, and plain white is for commoners. Mr. Phuntsho elaborated further for my understanding.

By Đào Minh/Ihay

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Reference: Mytour Travel Guide