The royal family and a few other noble families are the only people in Bhutan who have surnames. Individuals normally have two names, but neither is considered a family name. Wives keep their maiden names, and children may have names that are not connected to either parent. In addition, traditional Tibetan shamanism is also practiced by some. The shamanists believe in an unseen world of gods, demons, and ancestral spirits.
Most Buddhist families have shrines for worship inside their homes.
A poor family may have only a small Buddhist image or painting rather than a shrine. However, a wealthy family may use an entire room as a shrine, furnishing it with an elaborate altar, lamps, an incense burner, and other religious items. Because of their history of isolation from other nations, the people of Bhutan do not trust outsiders. They are conservative by nature and value their ancient traditions. However, they are becoming more vulnerable to change due to their need for modern medicines and conveniences.