Neten Dorji

Bartsham, Trashigang—What began as a living traditional Photo Exhibition Centre in Bartsham a year ago has today given birth to the Bartsham Community’s Museum.

Trashigang dzongdag, Ugyen Dorji, inaugurated the Bartsham Community Museum  to preserve and showcase the tangible and intangible cultural heritage of Bartsham yesterday.

Visitors were greeted with a room adorned with agricultural tools, household items, kitchen utensils, and daily-use tools, all elegantly displayed on the white walls of the two-storey community museum below the Bartsham Gewog Centre.

The guests eagerly immersed themselves in the ancient tools contributed by 30 households from five chiwogs.

With the written local names of the tools, along with their descriptions, over 160 everyday objects were arranged in three rooms, forming a collection from local farmers.

Titled “Bartsham where the past meets the future”, the museum seeks to pass on rich culture, history, and past lifestyles to the next generation.

More than 50 photographs were on display, showcasing the deep-rooted history and vibrant culture of Bartsham.

The unused two-storey Renewable Natural Resources (RNR) office was turned into a museum with support from the JICA, a collaborative effort between Kyoto University and Sherubtse College.

Officials said that the museum aims to inspire people and the community to conserve local culture.

“The main objective is to bridge generations and strengthen community unity,” Abi Chandra, a Project Officer of JICA said. “It also serves as a hub for cross-sector collaboration, ensuring that local culture is preserved and passed on to the next generation.

An official said that people were initially reluctant to contribute tools but later donated them after being convinced that they would be used to create a community museum.

The tools vividly capture the beauty of ancestral daily life, the connection to nature, and the essence of Bartsham’s rich culture.

Attendees, elderly and old, were seen reflecting on their lifestyles and the progress of their time as they engaged with the exhibition.

Chompa, 68, a villager from Nangkhar expressed his excitement seeing the tools for the first time under one roof.

“It was a great pleasure to witness the diverse aspects of the tools we used,” said Chompa.

A 83-year-old, Tshewang Dorji from Wushorong, said that the agricultural tools and photographs transported him back to the long-forgotten past.

“Most of these tools are disappearing from the village as farmers increasingly adopt modern farming methods,” said Tshewang Dorji. “This museum will help our younger generation learn about the lifestyles of their parents and the Bartsham community.”

He said that he would like to contribute more tools that are not currently at the museum.

Chador Pelmo, a mother, expressed gratitude for the establishment of the community museum, which allows children to explore the history of different communities.

“Not only do children struggle to identify farming tools and their uses, but even we are unfamiliar with some of the tools used in agriculture and household settings. This museum will give my children an opportunity to learn about our ancestors’ way of life and the history of Bartsham,” she said.

Kelzang Dawa, the gup, expressed hope that the community will attract tourists.

“This museum can preserve traditional tools and educate the younger generation about the rich history and culture of Bartsham,” he said. “We plan to charge a minimal fee sustainable for the museum.”