| Description |
For centuries, many great master carpenters of Bhutan have displayed their skills to produce distinctive architectural designs that had come to be our heritage in wood work or shingzo. Woodwork continues to be a dominant part of most construction works. For structures that require wood, master carpenters are called upon to employ their knowledge and skills and to engineer the entire works without any blue print.
The achievements of our master carpenters are evident in the dzongs, temples and monasteries, palaces, houses and bridges. The dzongs are widely appreciated by their architectural marvels. Trulpai Zowo Balep is respected and revered as a legendary artisan, for his contribution in the construction of Punakha Dzong in 1637.
A long thread called thig containing dissolved red soil; a pendulum (chongdo) and a wooden lopon are essential possessions of a carpenter as are other tools.
Bhutanese master carpenters rely on their knowledge and experience, and are expert in the joining wood without using metal nails. Each structural part like pillars, doors, beams, window frames, and roof girders are fitted separately on the ground. These elements are then joined together using thick wooden pegs. Logs with
ledges serve as staircases. Roofs are also made of wooden shingles, weight down in their places by boulders.
Items for daily use:
Skills in wood work are also employed in making tools and essential items as listed below:
• Wooden printing blocks, altars and plates for making offerings in the household, drums (nga) and masks of different types;
• Cups, scabbards, handles for knives and swords and boxes of different types;
• Musical instruments like guitar and drums,
• Various decorative items likethe dragons, eight lucky signs and other decorative items.
• Sports items lime darts (khuru) and targets (bha),
• Wooden phalluses of different sizes. |
