Since 2010, we have led a unique, community-based intangible heritage project, dedicated to preserving and revitalizing rapidly disappearing forms of indigenous knowledge using the strengths found within the originating communities.
Our Mission
The Bhutan Oral Literature Project is dedicated to preserving and invigorating the traditional arts, sciences, and knowledge of Bhutan using the linguistic, ethnographic, and environmental expertise of its people.
“We are the guardians of our culture.”
Impact
Our approach is both community-based and multi-disciplinary leading to longer term involvement, more comprehensive understanding of the content of the oral literature, and more committed individuals and communities. We identify individuals who are interested in preserving the unique knowledge embedded in their language community. We train individuals to work in their villages to become role models in current intangible cultural heritage preservation methodology. Our field staff are both valued members of their communities and burgeoning experts in intangible cultural heritage on an international level.
What oral literature includes:
Where we are working:
We hire field staff in every language group in Bhutan starting, primarily, with the most endangered languages first. As of 2018, we are working in over half the language groups of Bhutan.
