Bhutan (known as the kingdom of happiness)

While Bhutan is one of the smallest countries in the world, its cultural diversity and richness are profound.As such, strong emphasis is laid on the promotion and preservation of its unique culture.

By protecting and nurturing Bhutan's living culture it is believed that it will help guard the sovereignty of the nation. It is usually women who serve the food and in most cases, the mother. Before eating, a short prayer is offered and a small morsel placed on the floor as an offering to the local spirits and deities.

With modernization, eating habits have changed and in urban areas. Bhutanese people can be generally categorized into three main ethnic groups,

The Tshanglas, Ngalops and the Lhotshampas.

Tshanglas : The Tshanglas or the Sharchops as they are commonly known, are considered the aboriginal inhabitants of eastern Bhutan.

Ngalops : The Ngalops who have settled mostly in the six regions of western Bhutan are of Tibetan origin. They speak Ngalopkha, a polished version of Dzongkha, the national language of Bhutan.

Lhotshampas : The Lhotshampashave settled in the southern foothills of the country, It is believed that they migrated from Nepalin the beginning of the 19th century attracted by the employment opportunities provided by the many constructions works taking place in the kingdom.