Layap

The Layap are an indigenous people inhabiting the high mountains of northwest Bhutan in the village of Laya, in the Gasa district, at an altitude of 3,850m, just below the Tsendagang peak. They were also formerly called Bjop by the Bhutanese, a condescending term. Their population currently stands at 800. Ethnically related to the Tibetans, they speak a Tibeto-Burman language.

Dress

The dress of the Layap is similar to the Tibetan costume, except for a few differences. While men wear the Bhutanese costume, which consists of a silk or linen garment that is typically colored saffron and red (cf. "gho"). The women, on the other hand, wear black woolen jackets, which reach right down to the ankles. A blue pattern band may also be found at the bottom of their long sleeves. They also adorn themselves with silver jewelry and beads.

The most distinctive feature of the Layap women's dress is their conical hat. Made out of darkened bamboo strips, the conical hat ends with a sharp point to the sky, a cross similar to the Christian cross inverted to an upside down position.

Religion

Owing to Tibetan influence, the Layap practice a mixture of Bön and Tibetan Buddhism. According to legend, Laya village is the spot where Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the founder of Bhutan, first entered the country.

Lifestyle

Located near the Tibetan border, the Layap have traditionally engaged in trade. Nowadays that includes the smuggling of bootleg Chinese blankets and plastic goods which are embargoed by the Bhutanese government, but in much demand by Bhutanese villagers.

Traditionally, the Layap lived a semi-nomadic lifestyle, who rearing yaks and dzos, although in recent times small ponies may also be found in the area. Owing to the cold weather at this altitude, few crops can be planted, except for some grasses.

Until the 1980s, the Layap lived in near-complete isolation from the world, except for occasional visits to Thimphu or Punakha, which was a five day walk. As of today, Laya has been visited by tourists from all over the world. One can see beautifully-painted houses fitted with solar panels, and the construction of new schools for the impoverished children. Most villagers are now able to abandon the village in the winter and return in the springtime.

The Laya are also known for their marriage custom of polyandry, although the practice is said to be in decline now.

References and External links

* [http://www.kuenselonline.com/article.php?sid=3432 Kuensel article on change coming to the Layap]
* [http://www.ethnologue.com/show_language.asp?code=lyaEthnologue profile]
* [http://www.raonline.ch/pages/bt/peop/btpeop_layap01a.html RAOnline Bhutan: The Layaps]
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/tribe/tribes/layap/index.shtml BBC: Layap Tribe]