About the Image(s)

Hidden in the hills of south-central Bhutan, Berti Village is a small and remote rural community rarely visited by travelers. Known mainly among birdwatchers, it felt untouched when I arrived—so much so that I was the only tourist in the village. As we wandered through its quiet paths, the steady beat of drums carried through the air. I asked Rinzin, my guide, what we were hearing. He listened for a moment and explained that a ritual was likely taking place in a nearby home. Drawn by the sound, we followed it to a house where a shaman was performing a healing ceremony for one of the family’s children. I asked kindly if I could take some photographs. Without hesitation, the family opened their door and allowed me to observe. I remained at the threshold, careful not to enter the room, wanting to respect both the ritual and the intimacy of the moment. Smoke drifted softly in the dim light as the drum continued its measured rhythm. It was one of those rare travel moments when observation turns into connection—quiet, unspoken, and deeply human. Long after leaving Berti Village, the memory has remained one of the most powerful of my journey through Bhutan. Later, Rinzin explained that in rural communities, traditional healing practices still coexist naturally with modern medicine. He reassured me that the child’s injury was only a minor ankle problem and that the family would seek hospital care if necessary. In that room, however, tradition, belief, and hope were enough.