Bhutanese Crafts

Basket Weaving from Bhutan

Bhutanese Crafts, founded and run by Tenzin Lhendup and his family, promotes and showcases the art of “tsharzo,” or traditional bamboo and cane weaving. Tharzo is an ancient craft in Bhutan, dependent on artisans sustainably harvesting bamboo from local forests, cutting the woody material into thin strips, infusing them with antibacterial properties using natural herbs, and then drying them in the sun. The strong, durable bamboo strips are then dyed with natural pigments and woven into baskets, called “bangchungs.” Traditionally used in the home to store or serve food, bangchungs are now also used for decorative purposes or be given as gifts to friends.

Only 20 years ago, as a result of rural-to-urban migration, the art of tsharzo was nearly lost from contemporary Bhutanese culture. To sustain this historic and culturally significant art form, the Bhutanese government initiated a campaign to reintroduce the art of bamboo weaving to the country’s youth. Today, the bangchung is one of the most well-known hand-made crafts of Bhutan. Bhutanese Crafts works with skilled artisans to provide a platform from which to sell their products, thus further sustaining these deeply meaningful traditions and creating a source of income for the artists and their communities.

Through Bhutanese Crafts, Tenzin and his family serve as custodians of Bhutanese heritage, bridging the past with the present and ensuring that the legacy of Bhutanese craftsmanship continues to shine brightly for generations to come.