History of The Driglam Namzha
The Driglam Namzha traces its roots directly back to the 17th century pronouncements of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, the Tibetan lama and military leader who sought to unify Bhutan not only politically but culturally as well. He established guidelines for building the characteristic fortresses of Bhutan, known as dzongs. He also established many of the traditions of the tsechu or district festival, such as specific sacred dances known as cham. These guidelines were intentionally codified to encourage the emergence of a distinctive Bhutanese identity.
In 1989 the government elevated the status of the dress code from recommended to mandatory. Afterward, all citizens were required to observe the dress code in public during business hours. This decree was resented by the Hindu Lhotshampas in the southern lowlands who voiced complaints about being forced to wear the clothing of the Ngalop. Soon thereafter approximately 80,000 Nepalese left the country who did not want to follow the process of Driglma Namzha as undocumented aliens and now reside in refugee camps in Nepal.
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