Archive · 20 Aug 2025
Bhutanese Childhood: Kunzang Choden's Family Memories
This is a story about a girl growing up in Bhutan.
Her family had some interesting beliefs about birth and what it meant.
They had to change how they called some family members because of an astrology reading.
When her brothers were born, there were special events, like a beggar showing up and a royal gift of a jackfruit.
Her father had plans for her brother to work for the king, but he died too soon.
The story also tells us about how they dealt with sickness and death in those times.
Kunzang Choden's writing recounts her childhood in Bhutan, focusing on family life and traditions.
Her eldest brother's astrological chart suggested incompatibility with his parents, leading to symbolic familial roles.
The births of her siblings were marked by auspicious signs, including a visit from a beggar and the arrival of a rare jackfruit.
Choden's father envisioned a courtly future for her brother, but his plans were interrupted by his untimely death.
The excerpt details various aspects of Bhutanese culture, including birth rituals, naming traditions, and views on childhood mortality.
- Who
- Kunzang Choden and her family.
- What
- An excerpt from Kunzang Choden's memoir about her childhood in Bhutan, detailing family life, traditions, and experiences.
- When
- The events described occurred during the author's childhood.
- Where
- Bhutan.
- Why
- To share memories of family life, cultural traditions, and personal experiences during her childhood.
- Author
- Kunzang Choden
- Book Title
- Telling Me My Stories: Fragments of a Himalayan Childhood
- Setting
- Bhutan
- Eldest Brother's Name
- Rinzin Dorji
- Youngest Brother's Name
- Ugyen Rinzin
- Mother's Nickname for Youngest Brother
- Denma