During the spring, the Brokpas head for the mountain pastures with their herds of yak. Most of the Brokpas live in Sakten only during the summer months. They migrate to lower lands during the long, brutal winters. This is the time when they bring the much prized yak butter and cheese to sell and/or trade.

The Brokpas' traditional clothes differ significantly from the rest of Bhutan. The women wear a sort of long poncho made either from red or white silk with the edges sewn together (the Shinka). Over this, they wear a red silk jacket with long sleeves (the Totun), and a red wool cape (the Hemta). Some wear a braided black wool jacket. Women keep long hair (unlike other traditional Bhutanese women) which they wear in colorful braids.

The men wear trousers of leather or cloth (the Pishup). Over this, they wear flapped breeches in white wool (the Kandam). On the top they wear a roomy red wool jacket (the Chuba), topped by a chasuble of hide (the Paktsa). Both men and women wear traditional boots made of leather and felt, and a very interesting hat called the 'Gamashamo'. This hat has no equivalent - it is a flat bonnet in waterproof felt made of yak hair. It has five descending appendages that drain off the rain without letting the head and face get wet.

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