KP Sharma

A group of about 20 Bhutanese, in partnership with the Association of Bhutanese in Perth Incorporated (ABPI), is set to host the first-ever two-week Drukyul Camp in Perth, Australia, from December 23.

The initiative aims to inspire Bhutanese youth, foster a sense of belonging, and help them feel valued as Bhutanese citizens.

Led mostly by retired teachers with diverse experience, the camp offers a unique opportunity for participants to explore Bhutanese culture, traditions, and history, while fostering relationships, building community, and discovering their personal identity.

Kinley Tenzin, a founding member and the camp coordinator, explained that the programme is structured around four key themes—national language and culture, Bhutanese values and scouting, history, and driglam choesum.

Under the national language and culture theme, students will learn traditional songs and dances, engage in Dzongkha translation and speaking exercises, and participate in storytelling sessions, which will cover myths, legends, and movies.

Kinley Tenzin said that students will focus on basic writing and speaking skills, as delving deeper into the language might become overwhelming and diminish their interest in learning Dzongkha.

In addition, the camp will include practical sessions on the national anthem, exploring the history of the monarchy, and understanding the significance of Bhutanese festivals.

The driglam choesum theme will teach students how to wear traditional Bhutanese attire, such as the gho and kira with kabney and rachu, perform rituals like marchang, and practice other essential Bhutanese etiquettes.

The coordinators said that there is a strong interest among parents, who see the camp as a valuable opportunity for their children to connect with Bhutanese culture, even in a foreign country where they feel their children lack essential values and knowledge about Bhutan.

Kinley Tenzin stressed the importance of instilling Bhutanese values in the younger generation, particularly as the number of Bhutanese migrating abroad continues to rise. “It should not be an excuse to let our culture and identity disappear slowly among those residing abroad,” he said.

The initiative also allows retired Bhutanese teachers living abroad to share their expertise. “Teachers’ roles often end when they leave Bhutan, but this camp provides them with a platform to shape the next generation, even from abroad,” Kinley Tenzin said.

Teachers have been selected based on their previous contributions, particularly those with a track record of leading community-based initiatives at schools or other platforms.

With ABPI’s involvement, the organisers expect the Drukyul Camp to be a sustainable initiative and aim to establish it as an annual event under the association in the future.

The camp will be held at Kingston College, with sessions running from 9am to 5pm. To accommodate the busy work schedules of parents in Australia, children can be dropped off as early as 7am and supervised until 7pm.

The president of ABPI, Chimmi Dorji, described the camp as a bridge linking Bhutanese youth to their culture. “Education and awareness of Bhutan’s heritage and culture are essential for children abroad to remain connected to the roots of their parents and their home country,” he said.

The camp will conclude on January 3 next year.