19/08/2026
~Orientation Session on Driglam Namzha
On 18 August 2026, Dasho Driglam Khechok, accompanied by two officials from the Department of Culture and Dzongkha Development, Ministry of Home Affairs, visited the school to conduct a day-long orientation programme on Driglam Namzha. The programme was attended by a total of 141 participants, comprising teachers, civil servants from Lumang, Khaling, and Thrimshing Gewogs, and members of the Wamrong business community.
The programme was organised with the objective of promoting harmony, mutual respect, and social cohesion within families and communities through the proper understanding and practice of Driglam Namzha. It also sought to foster a common understanding and facilitate the consistent, standardised, and uniform application of Driglam Namzha throughout the country.
The programme commenced with Dasho Driglam Khechok providing a detailed explanation of the procedures and etiquette associated with ceremonial Marchang. This was followed by an informative presentation on the historical background, significance, and evolution of Driglam Namzha. In his presentation, Dasho highlighted the origins and importance of Bhutan's national dress—the Gho and Kira—and explained how these traditional garments were developed and adapted by our ancestors to suit the climatic conditions and lifestyles of people living in highland regions such as Laya, Lingzhi, Merak, and Sakteng.
Dasho also elaborated on the concept of Zacha-Dro-Sum, explaining its significance and its relationship to the broader principles of Driglam Namzha. The presentation was enriched with personal anecdotes, practical illustrations, and real-life experiences, enabling participants to develop a deeper appreciation of its relevance in everyday life, social interactions, and formal occasions.
The theoretical session was followed by a practical session on ceremonial protocol, during which participants were guided on the correct procedures for offering Khadar, wearing the Kabney and Rachu, receiving guests and items, and observing appropriate etiquette during formal occasions. The facilitators explained the significance and proper use of the Kabney and Rachu in accordance with established social and official protocols and provided hands-on guidance on their correct manner of wearing.
Practical demonstrations were also conducted on the proper performance of Chaglen, or traditional greetings, both with and without the Kabney and Rachu, as well as the appropriate manner of bowing (Cha Wa Cha Zhur) when approaching dignitaries and entering sacred spaces. Participants were subsequently provided opportunities to practise and demonstrate the prescribed procedures under the guidance of the facilitators.
The participants further received instruction on the appropriate etiquette for offering Khadar, receiving certificates and other items, and paying respects to dignitaries, including Rabjams, Ngekems, Lyonpos, and His Majesty the King, both with and without wearing a Kabney. Appropriate protocols for greeting and showing respect to guests during meetings, ceremonies, and official gatherings were likewise demonstrated.
The session also covered the importance of maintaining proper physical posture and decorum, including appropriate ways of standing, sitting, and conducting oneself in formal and social settings. Participants were encouraged to cultivate simple yet important habits, such as sitting down and standing up quietly without causing unnecessary disturbance by dragging chairs, and to serve as positive role models for students and the younger generation.
The facilitators further emphasised that greetings such as “Kuzuzangpo La” or “Good Morning”, once appropriately exchanged, need not be repeatedly expressed. Thereafter, respect and courtesy should be communicated through appropriate gestures, posture, and dignified conduct. The programme also covered the preparation and presentation of Thokey, together with the expected standards of conduct and behaviour in formal settings.
Overall, the programme provided participants with valuable insights into Bhutanese etiquette, cultural values, and traditional practices. More importantly, it clarified several areas in which the practice of Driglam Namzha has become inconsistent or misunderstood over time. The orientation therefore served as a timely and significant reminder of the collective responsibility to preserve, promote, and practise Driglam Namzha in a standardised, consistent, and meaningful manner, thereby safeguarding an important aspect of Bhutan's cultural heritage, national identity, and social fabric.
The school and all participants express our sincere gratitude to the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Department of Culture and Dzongkha Development, and the Dzongkhag Administration for facilitating such a timely and meaningful programme. We reaffirm our collective commitment to upholding and promoting Driglam Namzha in its true spirit and to ensuring its proper, consistent, and dignified practice in our daily lives, institutions, and communities.
