Diversities of Nepal

Diversities of Nepal

Nepal is synonymous to the world beauty and in addition she is the country with many mysteries, which have touched the sensibility of the adventure loving people all over the world. It has so many Touristic places to visit, from Eastern Mechi to Western Mahakali, from roof top majestic Himalayas to 500 Meters altitude MSL having enormous floras and faunas all and around. People from nook and corner of the world may take a breath taking experience of none closing eyelids with indigenous and ethnic cultural differences.Nepal is well known in the world for its Natural beauty. The silvery icy-mountains, the evergreen forests with diversity in flora and fauna, more than 6000 ever flowing  rivers and many wetlands had made the country rich in natural beauty. In other world, Nepal a small country with 0.003% of the global landscape is having more than 3.1% of biodiversity and excitingly, Nepal alone consist of more than 9.5% of the bird species in the world and had made this small country as a paradise of Nature. Though, we have enormous natural beauty, due to lack of education and awareness human influence in different forms of wetlands and forestland is increasing for the use of its products excess to the productivity and for expanding the cultivated land for increasing population. Hence natural habitat of flora  and fauna is being destroyed creating the threat to the species and increasing the vulnerability to the meteorological behavior for the human being it’s self.

Ethnic Mosiac

Brahmans

Brahmans are the members of the highest social caste. Two different categories of Brahmans namely ‘Kumai Brahmans’ and ‘Purbiya Brahmans’ are present. They only differ in their derived homeland. The ‘Kumai Brahmans’ are supposed to have come from the mountainous regions of Kumaon in the northern India west of Nepal.

They are mainly confined in the western and central Nepal and the capital city of Kathmandu. The ‘Purbiya’ Brahmans derive from the eastern part of Nepal and are found scattered across the country with greater concentration in the eastern part of Nepal and Kathmandu. The Brahmans are priestly caste. The priests in all Hindu temples are exclusively Brahmans.

Chepang and Kusundas

These backward ethnic communities belong to a well defined traditional area in the south of Dhading, the west of

Makawanpur and east of Chitwan along the steeper slopes of Mahabharat range of the mid-Nepal. Very few of these

hunting tribal people have started deriving subsistence from agriculture. Otherwise, hunting, wood collection, etc

have been their foremost living subsistence. Though they are economically backward, they have a rich and unique

cultural tradition. With the increasing encroachment of the forest (their main living recourse) by themselves and other communities alike, these people lately started working in the development projects in the areas as hard labors.

Chhetris and Thakuris

In the caste hierarchy, the Chhetris and Thakuris come second to Brahmans. They are rulers, leaders and warriors.

The Brahmans are their teachers and family priests. Like Brahmans, they are orthodox Hindus. Thakuries are believed to have originally come from the northern part of India mainly from Rajasthan. They could have migrated to Nepal in the 12th and 13th centuries. In Nepal, Chhetris and Thakuris are among the most influential and well-to-do social classes. They are mostly in the government services, in high ranked positions in the army and the police. Some of them have remained farmers and are relatively poor and live like any other ethnic group.

Dolpo

They are probably the highest settlements in the world. These mongoloid featured people are Tibetan speaking.

Most of them are illiterate, but they are not very poor. Marriages are very relaxed in general. Pre marital and extra-marital sex union is not prejudiced. All the brothers in a family marry a common wife. Marriages can be of any type; by arrangement, capture or elopement. The Dolpa people are Buddhist, but the Bon-po sect of Buddhism also co-exists. They dispose off the dead in different ways. Some throw the corpse into the river while others cut the flesh into pieces and feed them to the vultures.

Gurungs

In the middle hills and valleys along the southern slope of the Annapurna Himalaya in the mid-western Nepal; the Gurungs live together with other ethnic groups like Magars, Brahmins and Chettris. These sturdy, hardworking people are Mongoloid physiognomically. They extend their living territories from Gorkha in the east through Lamjung, Manang and Kaski to Syangja district.The Gurungs are very colorful, happy and flirtatious people.

A caste hierarchy divides the Gurung community into ‘char jat’ and ‘sor jat’, group of four and sixteen clans respectively.

They are distinctly endogamous groups. Traditionally they prefer cross-cousins marriage. The parallel cousins marriage is, however, strictly prohibited. They also have a tradition of ‘Rodi’, a club of boys and girls of similar age group where dancing and singing is performed. This ritual provides them with ample opportunities to know, understand each other and develop love and affection. The environment in the Rodi is very flirtatious. The Gurungs have very interesting dance tradition. They perform Sorathi, Ghado, Ghatu and others on one or many occasions. The dancing season generally starts on Shri Panchami day (On the fifth day of bright lunar fortnight some day in January or February) till the day of Chandi Purnima (some day in May or April).

Magars

Along the Gurung and Khas counterparts, the Magars form an integral constituent of British and Indian Gurkha

regiments and the Nepal Army. They speak a dialect derived from Tibeto-Burman group of languages. Their religion is Buddhism. However, there are also some Hindu Magars. The Magars celebrate the festival dedicated to the goddess Kaliingreatpomp (a Hindu festival). Especially in Gorkha, they sacrifice a lot of goats during the occasion.

Those who live in the vicinity of Brahmans and Chhetris have their cultural rituals similar to theirs. Magar villages are

typical with their round and oval houses. One comes across many of these Magar settlements in the Annapurana round trekking.

Manangi

Manangi resemble physiognomically and religiously to the Tibetans but they take pride to believe themselves belonging to the Gurungs who live in the lower hills and valleys. These people inhabit the pleasant valley of Manang in the upper reaches of the Marsyangdi River northwards in the central Nepal. The Manang district encloses three distinct areas of Neshyang, Nar and Gyasumdo; all of them culturally interrelated. They have agriculture as their foremost recourse of subsistence for living. The harsh and cold climate limits the cultivation to buck wheat, barley, wheat, maize, potatoes and radishes. They also breed sheep and other cattles. Lhosar, the New Year’s celebration is their main festival in the month of February. Similarly, archery is arranged in a grand way during the month of April-May.

Newars

The natives of Kathmandu, the Newars, are mainly traders. With a purpose to trade, they are scattered across the

country; with greater concentration in the Kathmandu Valley, Banepa, Dhulikhel, Bhojpur, Bandipur and Tansen.

Despite the small percentage numerically, they contribute significantly in the history, art, architecture and business

activities in the country. Newars speak their own language, ‘Newari’, better known as Nepal Bhasa which belongs to

Tibeto-Burman family of languages. It has its own scripts and has no linguistic connection to Nepali, Hindi or Sanskrit.

The Newari script, the ‘Ranjana lipi’ is exceptional. The Newari literature is also very rich. The application letter for

the membership of Nepal to the United Nations was written in ‘Ranjana Lipi’. There are both Buddhist and Hindu Newars. Like elsewhere in the country, religious syncretism is blended into the culture and tradition. They celebrate numerous feasts and festivals throughout the year. Besides their rich cultural heritage, festivals, the Newars are impeccable artists and architects. Newars, though small in numbers, have a very strong and dominating influence in Nepal’s economy, politics and society in general.

Rais and Limbus

The Rais come from surrounding hills in the north-eastern Nepal; mainly near Dhankuta, Terhathum, Bhojpur and

Arun and Dudh valleys. Likewise, the Limbus come from the extreme east of Nepal; mainly from the region of Taplejung, Khotang and Arun Valley. The Rais are neither purely Hindu nor Buddhist. They have their own deities and beliefs. Tibetan Lamaism has great influence in their rites and rituals. The Limbus follow a mixture of Shivaism, Buddhism and Animism. Among the Rais, marriages are monogamous. The marriages are held by arrangements, captures and elopements. The Limbus follow the same marriage tradition. Both the Rais and Limbus bury thedeceased and place a tombstone on the grave, bearing the name and date.

Sherpas

The most famous among the Himalayan people are the Sherpas because of their impeccable mountaineering skill

which has made them an indispensable part of mountain expeditions as leaders, guides and porters. As an individual

or in groups, they have set records of many ‘firsts’ in the mountaineering world. They live in the Khumbu region of eastern Nepal, in the vicinity of Mt. Everest, along the Arun Valley, the Dudh Koshi River and its tributary areas.

Fraternal polyandry is found among the Sherpas, i.e. two brothers may marry one common wife. However, if there are three brothers in a Sherpa family, the middle brother has to serve the monastery as a monk and for a family with four brothers, the group of two may marry two common wives. Sherpas observe a number of festivals during the year. The important ones are Losar and Dumze. Losar is the New Year’s celebration according to the Tibetan calendar. It occurs sometimes in the end of February. All families rejoice this singing, dancing, feasting time. Dumze is interesting festival observed in the village ‘gomba’ or the monastery for seven days, sometimes during the month of July. The village lama

conducts the rituals by worshipping Guru Rimpoche, Phawa Cheresi, Tsanba and other deities.

There are many of Sherpas who have set records in the mountaineering world. Tenzing Norgay Sherpa with Sir Edmund Hillary, was the first to climb the highest mountain of the world in 1953.Tamangs are Buddhists. The religious activities are based on Jhankrism. There are several ghyangs (Buddhist temples) in every Tamang settlement. All their festivals and ceremonies are performed in Buddhist fashion. On the first day of Magh

(some day in January and February), they celebrate Chho in these ghyangs. Another feasting ceremony, Nara is observed on the full moon day. Altogether, the Tamangs represent a community greatly exploited and poor in general.

Tharus/Chaudharys

The Tharus are the indigenous ethnic group who live in the northern part of Terai and inner Terai with a concentrated

population in the middle and west of the country. Most of the Tharus have Mongoloid features with dark andsemidark colors. They are aboriginal Terai settlers. Some also believe that Tharus came to Nepal from India during the Muslim invasion in the 12th and 13th century. The Tharus have their indigenous dialect, known as ‘Naja’. But they speak a mixture of local dialects, such as Prakriti, Bhojpuri, Mughali, Nepali, Urdu and Maithili. The Tharus believe in Animism.

They also celebrate Hindu festivals. There are normally two clans; Pradhan and Apradhan. The former is considered superior. Each village has its own local gods and goddesses protecting the people. Marriages among the Tharus, are

monogamous. It is, however, strictly endogamous. Polyandry and polygamy are practiced sometimes. Rites and rituals linked with Tharu marriages are elaborate and complex.

Thakali

Physiognomically Mongoloid featured ‘Thakalis’ are believed to have originated from Thak Khola, the valley of the Kali Gandaki River in western Nepal. These people are famous for their neatly tended kitchens and derive their

subsistence from hotels, inns, and restaurants income. They are encountered mainly in the Annapurana round trekking, one of the most famous trekking routes in the country. Thak Khola lies in Mustang district of Dhaulagiri zone of Nepal. Thak-sat-se is the traditional area of the Thakali community, which lies in the salt trading zone on the south of Tukuche Mountain. A Thakali has to marry none other than Thakali, but the marriage has to be outside his or her own particular clan. The four clans are equal in status socially or ritually. However, on the basis of precedance in the worship, Gauchan clan comes first, followed by Tulachan, Sherchan, and Bhattachan. They have their particular clan gods as animal representative of dragon, elephant, lion and yak for Gauchan, Tulachan, Sherchan and Bhattachan respectively.

The religion of the Thakali is a mixture of Buddhism, Jhankrism, Bonpo and Hinduism, but they are close to Jhankrism, a kind of Shamanistic cult as their original religion. Lha Feva is the most significant festival for the Thakalis. It is observed some day in the month of November of every monkey year of the twelve-year cycle according to the Tibetan calendar.

What Can be and Cannot be in the Nepalese Society?

The Nepalese people are friendly and hospitable by nature and the tourists in general will have no difficulty in adjustment. All the same, one may be confused regarding some costume, traditions and manners in coming into any unfamiliar society. Nepal like any other country has its own ways of regulating life though it might be different in degrees to each individual visitor. We want visitors to observe and see the way the Nepalese people live and share that with them. It is in this spirit that we offer some practical guidelines that could help to make the stay delightful, homely and rewarding. The religious way of life Religion is an integral part of Nepali life. Temples, images, sacred paintings are to be seen everywhere. Majority of the people are Hindus in Nepal, nevertheless Buddhism has also

important place in this country. Hinduism and Buddhism are so closely connected in Nepal that it could take a life times’ study to understand the complexities of country’s religious life. Hindus and Buddhists alike worship all deities and fests and festivals are shared. For centuries both have cherished mutual regard and respect for one another’s traditions.

Some fundamental facts are to be taken into consideration that one should adopt in the Nepalese society.

- Visitors to the Hindu temple or Buddhists shrines or may be in some particular places are supposed to take off their shoes as a mark of respect. In this regard it will be better to take a pair of sandals for ones convenience, but leather sandals are not allowed.

- In many Hindu temples non- Hindus are not allowed to enter and it is better to consult your guide.

- Leather articles are not allowed in most of the temples, stupa and shrines.

- Temples or shrines are walked around in clockwise direction. Killing of cows is strictly prohibited. Beef is not used among Hindus and Buddhists. Killing of female animals is also not allowed.

- In some places it is not allowed to take photographs, it is better to ask your guide or the people around.

- Leather goods also mean shoes, belts, camera cover, jackets etc.

Social Traditions

More than ninety per cent of the Nepalese people live in the rural areas and they have their own traditions and they

have their own traditions and customs even their outlook and appearance. Nepalese people look like very simple and

innocent. They take a special delight to company with any other people. They are much more interested to talk with

the foreigners even they may not be able to talk in English. But there are certain things that are alien or embarrassing

to our people and some of the points to keep in mind will be better. It is better to be decently dressed when visiting any place. Sun and beach wares are not the ideal when roaming around the city or village. Briefs, shorts, bare shoulders and backs are not appreciated. One need not be stiff and overdressed, but just comfortably and decently covered. Do not take seriously if a Nepali lady hesitates to shake hands.

In Nepal, people specially the ladies, do not shake hands when they greet one another, but instead press the palms

together in a prayer- like gesture known as “Namaste”. Public displays of affection between man and woman are

frowned upon. Do not do something that is totally alien to our environment. We are hard on drug abuse; trafficking

and possession of drugs are taken as serious offences.

Beggars

Cheap charity breeds beggars but does not solve their basic problem. Therefore do not encourage beggary by being benevolent.