Cultural Significance of Yeti in Kunzang Choden's "Bhutanese Tales of the Yeti"

The current paper examines the quest for the existence of the abominable snowman in Bhutan, particularly the yeti, and its cultural significance in Kunzang Choden’s collections of short stories, “Bhutanese Tales of the Yeti.” The tales of Bhutanese folk stories are amazingly diverse both in topics and genres, covering fairy tales, stories of Masang, which means individuals possessing extra-ordinary physical strength, tales of the yeti and migoi referring to demons, stories of wit and foolishness, sexually themed narratives, humorous anecdotes, stories contrasting the lives of the wealthy and that of the poor, tales of talking animals, ghost stories, vampire legends, stories illustrating lessons regarding envy consequences, and narratives involving gods and spirits. These different stories provide deep insights into the ethical, religious, and lifestyle patterns of the Bhutanese people. The ape-like beings, yetis, or Sinpos, are part and parcel of the cultural richness of this landlocked kingdom. Though their occurrence in stories may seem a bit daunting at first glance, they form part of this vibrant tapestry of mythic beings which inhabit Bhutan’s folklore.