Shawa Sha-khe/che Chham (The dance of the Stag and the Hounds), or also called Acho Phen-to (the hunter and the servant), is one of the mask dances that fall into the category of Nam-thar zhi-chol gi gar-chham (biography-based mask dances) of the three major classifications of mask dances in Bhutan. This mask dance has the character of a play taken from the life story of Milarepa (1052-1135), and contains various characters and episodes that essentially convey the Buddhist principles of compassion, emerging faith, and human values leading to a harmonious life.

Shawa Sha-khe/che Chham (The dance of the Stag and the Hounds), or also called Acho Phen-to (the hunter and the servant), is one of the mask dances that fall into the category of Nam-thar zhi-chol gi gar-chham (biography-based mask dances) of the three major classifications of mask dances in Bhutan. This mask dance has the character of a play taken from the life story of Milarepa (1052-1135), and contains various characters and episodes that essentially convey the Buddhist principles of compassion, emerging faith, and human values leading to a harmonious life.

Shawa Sha-khe/che Chham (The dance of the Stag and the Hounds), or also called Acho Phen-to (the hunter and the servant), is one of the mask dances that fall into the category of Nam-thar zhi-chol gi gar-chham (biography-based mask dances) of the three major classifications of mask dances in Bhutan. This mask dance has the character of a play taken from the life story of Milarepa (1052-1135), and contains various characters and episodes that essentially convey the Buddhist principles of compassion, emerging faith, and human values leading to a harmonious life.

The book describes different elements of Bhutanese intangible culture under five chapters. Learning, studying, promoting and transmitting the Bhutanese culture, and its essence — the intangible cultural heritage — is a sublime obligation for each and every Bhutanese today. This book will not only serve as a basic manual for the study of the ICH of Bhutan for the future generations, but also inspire them to renew and share their awareness of (and engagement in) the research of our culture and traditions.