Nim Dorji | Trongsa

To preserve the culture and tradition of Monpas, students of Jangbi primary school will be wearing their traditional dress once a week from next year.

No one in the locality wears the traditional dress, ‘pagay’ today and village elders say it was worn only until three decades ago, as imported clothes are easily available and also comfortable to wear.

They are worried their dress might become extinct and a history.

The principal of Jangbi Primary School, Norbu, said he planned to initiate the need to wear their traditional dress for the last two years but could not find sponsors.

He said that although local residents supported his idea, the dress was expensive for them. “An individual, Sita Giri (PhD) agreed to sponsor the dress.”

On the Monpa day observed on December 10 in the locality, students wearing Monpa dress was also launched. They performed some traditional dance wearing the dress.

Norbu said the initiative was taken to preserve the rich culture and tradition of Monpas, which is on the verge of extinction.

Meanwhile, students, who wore the dress for the first time, said they faced some difficulties, which is why the school administration decided to let them wear once a week.

The principal explained that the school would collect the dresses at the end of the academic session and distributed at the beginning of the year.

There are 55 students and four teachers in Jangbi Primary School.

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