Lone bangchu represents Bhutan
Misidentified as a product of Nepal until corrected by visitor
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Tokushima (Japan) Exhibition 31 May, 2010 – A lone bangchu (bamboo lunch box) is representing Bhutan at the “Himalayas: People’s Life and Nature” exhibition (April 29-June 6) taking place at a museum in Tokushima, Japan.
But, on a visit to the exhibition on May 8, it was noticed that the bangchu exhibit was labelled as a product of Nepal. Nepalese are not known to use the bangchu or even sell it at souvenir shops in Kathmandu.
A Japanese lady, who has been to Nepal and Bhutan, said, “I’ve seen some Tibetans in Nepal using bangchu when I visited in the ‘60s, but I heard it came from Bhutan via barter trades in Kalimpong and Darjeeling”.
“Bangchu is a unique Bhutanese handicraft, which you should take better care of. I’ve heard that some of the unique Bhutanese textile designs have already been patented by other countries,” she added.
An online research on various bamboo products from Nepal, India, China, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam and other countries showed how the bamboo has given rise to many products of different shapes, sizes and uses in different countries. But there was no product from other countries that came close to the bangchu.
This information was relayed to the person in charge of the exhibition the very next day, saying the visitors may be misinformed.
The person in charge promised to correct the information and also said that he would write to the national museum of ethnology in Osaka from where the items had been borrowed.
On a second visit to the exhibition this week, another label had been put near the bangchu, explaining that it is a “product of Bhutan”, with a handwritten subtext that says “Bhutan is also a country in the Himalayas”. It is the only mention of Bhutan in the whole exhibition.
While Bhutan has become more popular in Japan, thanks to GNH and TV programs on Bhutan that are aired now and then, there are Japanese, who have never heard of Bhutan.
Handicrafts are not only a means of livelihood for the rural people, but a representation of history and culture. They assert identity, while attracting the interest and curiousity of foreigners. They are precious legacies, which should be nurtured, protected, promoted and passed on to future generations. Mechanisms to protect them through national or international patents should be explored, while taking all the measures to improve their quality.
The people of Kheng and Thrimshing-Kangpara produce this unique invention.
Source: kuenselonline