An Essay on the Handicraft Association of Bhutan's Creativity

This essay provides a comprehensive overview of the Handicraft Association of Bhutan (HAB). It delves into the history of traditional arts in Bhutan, from temple building to various crafts like textiles, wood carving, and bamboo craft. The essay explores the creative processes associated with HAB, including community, organizational, and individual benefits. It highlights the strengths such as environmentally friendly practices and job creation, while also addressing limitations like low productivity and insufficient funds. The essay further examines the economic sustainability of the handicraft industry in Bhutan, its role in tourism, and the lessons learned from HAB's operations. It concludes by emphasizing the importance of preserving cultural heritage and adapting to change in the face of urbanization and globalization.

Running Head: HANDICRAFT ASSOCIATION OF BHUTAN 1
An Essay on Handicraft Association of Bhutan
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COURSE
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Bhutan is one of the countries that is known all over the world for preserving its cultural
heritage. Today, traditional art is used in temple building and paintings (Lo, Macintyre &
Kalkreuter, 2016). However, it undergone some changes from one century to the other; for
instance, it was characterized by statues of Buddha Maitreya in early 8th century, while in 13th
century, it was characterized by the paintings of other people; for example, Lama which simply
means teacher. The following types of arts were practiced during 17th century; masonry,
blacksmithing and papermaking. The state formulated some laws and policies to protect these
arts (Lo et al., 2016). Other than state, leaders also did their best to ensure that artistic skills has
been passed from one generation to the next. The following are some of the activities that were
undertaken by leaders to enhance continuity of craft activities; advising the youths to take part in
craft activities as well as building of schools where youths were taught artistic skills. Currently,
shops that deal with handicrafts are located in places like Thimphu (Lo et al., 2016). Other than
shops, there is also a textile museum which has attracted many tourists from all over the world
such as India, thus earning the country foreign exchange. Generally, craft activities started long
time ago whereby different generations were involved in different practices. These craft
activities led to the establishment of Handicraft Association of Bhutan (HAB) in 2005 (Lo et al.,
2016). The main aim of this essay is to discuss concepts related to HAB such as creativity
processes and its limitations.
Firstly, HAB deals with different craft activities; for example, textile, wood carving and
bamboo craft. The textile industry in Bhutan has grown tremendously; however, each region
deals with a different type, hence enhancing cultural exchange between different communities
(Wangmo, 2018). Some of the raw materials that are used in textile industries include silk and
cotton. Apart from textiles, sculptures from Bhutan are also different. They are used to represent

HANDICRAFT ASSOCIATION OF BHUTAN 3
religious icons not limited to Buddha and temples. In addition, wood carving, which is also
referred to as Parzo, is also done by HAB. Wooden mask is one of the examples of wood
carvings. Furthermore, sword making is also another form of art that is practiced by HAB.
Regarding sword making, ceremonial swords are gifted to those individuals who have performed
well in certain areas not limited to education and farming (Mukhai, Rai & Wangmo, 2013). Also,
bamboo craft is widely practiced in most parts of Bhutan to make baskets which are used as
flasks in many homesteads. Moreover, arrow making is also practiced widely as the demand for
arrows has increased vastly over the recent years. These arrows are made of specific types of
mountain reeds as well as bamboo. They are used in sports at Changlimithang Stadium (Mukhai
et al., 2013). Finally, there is paper making which plays an important role in gift packaging. The
raw material that is used to make papers is extracted from Daphne plant. These papers are
resistant to insects, hence they can last for long. Other forms of craft activities include the
following; yigzo, lazho, lugzo, tshemzo, garzo (Hummel, Gujadhur & Ritsma, 2013). Therefore,
HAB deals with different forms of art.
Secondly, there are very many creative processes that are associated with HAB. Creative
processes entails the process of coming up with new ideas that can be more beneficial to the
community at large. In Bhutan, HAB has been at the forefront in ensuring that a creative
community has been created (Penjore, 2017). Previously, there was no any creative community
as there was a great challenge of nurturing talented people and ensuring that they have improved
their skills and assisted the community in return. The benefits of these creative processes
associated with HAB can be divided into the following three levels; community level,
organizational level and individual level. Regarding the community level, HAB has ensured that
the community is empowered through education and training through collaborating with tourism

HANDICRAFT ASSOCIATION OF BHUTAN 4
associations to ensure that local people are well informed about some of the roles that are played
by traditional crafts (Penjore, 2017). Other than the tourism associations, HAB has also partnered
with schools; therefore, ensuring that the youth participates in activities that are related to craft.
Besides, HAB has established training centers so that young people can learn about the
traditional art, thus improving their skills day in day out. Moreover, HAB also ensures that the
community has accessed information related to marketing in real-time, hence improving trade
between different communities. In addition, HAB has created a lot of job opportunities, hence
reducing unemployment rate in Bhutan. Lastly, HAB has also been involved in assisting the less-
privileged members of the society; for instance, it has provided basic needs such as shelter, food
and education to the disabled and the needy (De, 2017).
Regarding the organizational level, HAB uses machines that are friendly to the
environment. These machines do not pollute water, air and land; therefore, ensuring that
employees work in a conducive environment. HAB also take part in environment protection
practices thereby ensuring that non-biodegradable wastes are reused, hence reducing soil
pollution. Besides, it ensures that the wellbeing of the society members has been attained
(Sangay, Rajanathan, Vernes & Tighe, 2019). Furthermore, it also ensures that employees are
well trained and educated, hence improving their skills day in day out. Last but not least, HAB
has ensured that gender equality has been attained by empowering women through its day to day
activities. This has enabled it to understand some of the challenges that women go through and
provide appropriate solutions as a result. In relation to the individual level, HAB motivates its
employees to be committed so that it can achieve its goals; for instance, the most hardworking
employees are rewarded for their good work. Other than motivation, HAB offers free training to
the youth, hence enabling many people to earn a living through handcraft activities (Dick, 2016).

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Last but not least, HAB has improved the living standards of its employees as it is now possible
to find some electronics such as TVs in weaver’s homes.
The HEB creative processes involves a group of artists from different parts of Bhutan.
Other than artists, it also involves organized members such as manufacturers, thus playing some
important roles in enhancing business operations across Bhutan (Lham, 2018). Also, it involves
Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and members from different associations such as tourism.
The HEB creative processes has many strengths and weaknesses. Some of the strengths
associated with HEB creative processes include the use of machines that are environmental
friendly, hence enhancing conducive working environment and reduces risks of employees to get
diseases. Other than conducive working environment, HAB creative processes also impact
positively on the community at large; for instance, it creates employment opportunities, therefore
improving living standards of many people as a result (Lham, 2018). In addition, these creative
processes also enable one to improve his/her skills; for instance, employees are trained and
educated from time to time. Also, there is specialization, hence employees become perfect in
their area of expertise. Above all, HAB creative processes utilizes some of the raw materials that
are locally available, hence reducing the amount of raw materials that need to be imported
(Lham, 2018).
Apart from strengths, there are also some limitations that are associated with HAB
creative processes. First and foremost, there is low productivity in HAB due to insufficient
shipping facilities (Ray, 2015). Other than shipping facilities, there is also a problem of low
education; for instance, it is difficult for children who come from families that are associated
with craft activities to attend school, hence increasing illiteracy in Bhutan. In addition, there is
inadequate inputs since HAB does not have access to large volumes of raw materials, thus

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making it difficult to employ many people from Bhutan. Apart from raw materials, HAB has
insufficient funds, hence affecting smooth running of its daily operations. Consequently, this has
negative effects on the available market as consumers keep on waiting for a longer time before
items are delivered to the market (Teoh, 2015). Additionally, consumer satisfaction is also a
limitation of HAB creative processes; for instance, globalization has enabled HAB to sell its
products in many parts of the world, hence limiting interaction with its customers. Therefore, it
has become difficult to produce products with certain specifications which are required by
customers.
Generally, handicraft industry has led to economic sustainability in Bhutan. Some
industries such as cottage are very important in creation of job opportunities which reduces
unemployment rate as a result. The research has revealed that the handicraft industry has
provided employment to more than 5% of the total number of employees in Bhutan.
Consequently, increase in job opportunities improves the living standards of many people, hence
reducing poverty level (Teoh, 2015). Handcraft industry has also been at the forefront in
enhancing innovation as the youths come up with new useful ideas. The research that was
conducted recently indicates that handicraft industry has played some important roles in
manufacturing sector as its aim is to attain an equilibrium between social and environmental
impacts. Moreover, handicraft industries has also played some important roles in the tourism
sector (Teoh, 2015). The traditional arts that are found within Bhutan has attracted many tourists
from different parts of the world such as India and Nepal, hence earning the country foreign
exchange. The economy of any country is determined by availability of job opportunities as well
as the quantity of goods which are exported to the other countries across the globe. Therefore,
handicraft industry has improved the economy of Bhutan (Teoh, 2015).

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Finally, there are many lessons that can be learnt from HAB; for instance, culture is a
very important tool in economic growth, hence government should formulate some laws and
policies to protect it from any form of destruction (Kabanda, 2016). Besides, another lesson that
has emerged is that change is inevitable since craft activities in Bhutan have changed from
Buddhism representation to building and other people such as Lama which simply means a
teacher. In addition, there is a great challenge between urbanization and cultural heritage
whereby the growth of urban centers impacts negatively on culture, thus some policies should be
formulated for culture protection (Kabanda, 2016).
In conclusion, traditional arts in Bhutan started as early as 8th century. However, it
undergone some changes as it was characterized by statues of Buddha Maitreya in 8th century. In
17th century, it was characterized by masonry, blacksmithing and papermaking. Initially, there
were some challenges of creating a creative community despite the fact that there were many
talented individuals in Bhutan. However, some associations such as Handicrafts Association of
Bhutan (HEB) which started in 2005 tried to ease the situation. HEB creative processes involves
the group of artisans, organized members such as manufacturers and CSOs. It play some
important roles in Bhutan such as ensuring that the community has benefited much from the
Handicraft activities. The following are some of its strengths; using machines that are friendly to
the environment and enabling employees to improve their skills by training and education. Other
than strengths, HEB also has some limitations; for instance, low productivity due to insufficient
shipping facilities and inability to manufacture items that suits consumers’ specifications.

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