= Day (before 6 p.m.) = Evening (after 6 p.m.) = Bow tie colour = Ladies = Gentlemen Folk costume, traditional dress, traditional attire or folk attire, is clothing associated with a particular ethnic group, nation or region, and is an expression of cultural, religious or national identity.
[1][2][3][4] Following the rise of romantic nationalism[5] in parts of Europe, pre-industrial peasantry came to serve as models for all that appeared genuine and desirable.
[6] Bhutanese citizens must wear the traditional clothing of the Ngalop people, including a gho and kera for men and a kira and wonju for women,[7] including when on official business, in schools and institutions, and at official occasions and assemblies.
[8] These restrictions apply to when people are in or near "monastic fortresses (dzong), monasteries (gompa) and temples (lhakhang), and in government buildings.
Karin Altmann, a scholar of textile arts, states that the intent behind this law "was to prevent specific features of Bhutanese culture from disappearing," and "to emphasize national identity",[8] but it has contributed to much conflict due to the ethnic and cultural diversity of Bhutan.