The indigenous groups

Indigenous groups

There are small groups of ethnic minorities and indigenous groups that live all throughout Bhutan in scattered villages.  Related to those groups living in India's Assam or of West Bengal or Assam, they embrace the Hindu system of endogamous groups ranked by hierarchy and practice wet-rice and dry-rice agriculture.  They are the "Bumthaps" from Bumthang, the "Mandheps" from Trongsa, the "Layaps" in the North West, the "Brokpas" in the eastern villages of Merak and Sakteng, the "Doyas" or "Lhops" in the southern district of Samtse, and the "Lapchas" in the south.

Others

Bhutan’s population can be divided into 3 groups, mainly the “Ngalops”, the “Sharchops” and the “Lhotsampas”.

The “Ngalops” make up the majority of the popularity, belonging to the Western region. They are thought to be the descendents of Tibetan immigrants who arrived in Bhutan in the 9^th century.

The “Sharchops” belong to the East of Bhutan and are considered to be the original inhabitants of Bhutan.

The “Lhotsampas” belong to the Southern areas. They are descendents of immigrants from Nepal who settled in Bhutan in the 19^th century.