Part 29 - Description of takpa people, bamboo huts, and assistance from the Jongpen

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SUMMARY:
The diarist describes mixed inhabitants from Dewangiri, Trongsa, and the Tawang area, focusing on the 'takpa' people's distinctive attire. They praise the strong bamboo huts built for the party and note fine weather. After requesting a photo of a 'takpa' and expressing interest in shooting a tragopan/monal, the Jongpen promptly summoned several takpas and sent a man to assist.

CONTENT:
opened up by the present Jongpen's father or himself. The inhabitants are very mixed. Some are from Dewangiri, some from Trongsa and probably some from Tawang area. There are many 'takpas', the people who wear a hat shaped to the head made of thick felt and having tails hanging down in three or four places round the edge. They only wear a queer little felt patch hanging over their bottoms, presumably to sit on. The huts made for us yesterday and today are perfectly wonderful buildings. Nothing but bamboo is used in making them, and they are strong, airy and light. We had a heavy shower of rain last evening, but they proved pretty watertight after the first few minutes. Today was again a fine bright day, and we are certainly having most excellent weather. I told the Jongpen that I wanted to take a photo of a 'takpa' today, expecting one to be produced at once. But nothing happened for a couple of hours, then a dozen came in. He had sent for them from a village miles away. He orders anything that we mention we would like at once. We mentioned that we were anxious to shoot a tragopan monal. He sent a man at