Culture of Nepal 1996244 226154464 2008-07-17T01:50:58Z MMMMurad 7488693 /* Art & Craft */ {{unreferenced|date=December 2007}}[[Image:Nepal Woman 2.jpg|thumb|250px|1905 illustration of a Nepalese woman.]] The rich [[cultural heritage]] of [[Nepal|the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal]], has evolved over centuries. This multi-dimensional cultural heritage encompasses within itself the cultural diversities of various [[ethnic]], [[tribe|tribal]], and [[social group]]s inhabiting different [[altitude]]s, and it manifests in various forms: [[music]] and [[dance]]; [[art]] and [[craft]]; [[folklore]]s and [[folktale]]s; [[language]]s and [[literature]]; [[philosophy]] and [[religion]]; [[festival]]s and [[celebration]]s; and [[food]]s and [[drink]]s. ==Society and customs== Nepal is a [[landlocked]] country of [[South Asia]], situated in the [[Himalaya]]s, and shares its borders with the [[Tibet Autonomous Region]] of [[People's Republic of China]] in the north and the [[Republic of India]] in other directions. Consequently, the population of Nepal now mainly consist of the descendants of Tibeto-Burman migrants from the north and [[Indo-Aryans]] from the south. Ethnic diversity and proximity to giant cultures have continued to influence the culture of Nepal. Although, Nepal has inherited several customs and cultural practices from [[China]] and [[Tibet]] as well as from [[India]], all the same, based on its [[topography]], available resources and [[climate]], over a period of time, it has attuned these influences to its own indigenous requirements. ==Dance and music== [[Legend]]s state that [[dance]]s in the [[Indian subcontinent]] originated in the abode of Lord Shiva - [[Himalayas|the Himalayas]] and [[Nepal|the Himalayan Kingdom of Nepal]] - where he performed the [[tandava|tandava dance]]. This indicates that dance traditions of Nepal are of very ancient origin. With altitudes and ethnicity, the dances of Nepal slightly change in style as well as in the dance [[costume]]s. Accompanying music and musical instruments also change in tune with the themes, which revolve round topics like harvesting of crops, marriage rites, war stories, a lonely girl’s yearning for her love, and several other themes and stories from everyday life in the villages. ''See also'' *[[Music of Nepal]] ==Art & Craft== [[Image:KaliNepal1920.jpg|200px|right|Religious sculpture in Kathmandu]] Nepalese [[art]] and [[craft]] reflect the religious [[Theme (visual arts)|theme]]s of Hinduism and Buddhism and certain location-specific depictions. The cultural history of Nepalese art is traditionally divided into five major periods:<br>*Pre-Licchavi, *Licchavi, *Transitional, *Early Malla ([[Newar]]) and *Late Malla ([[Newar]]) periods. There are many artists of canvas painting who are popular among the Nepalese people; artists like Kiran Manandhar, Krishna Raj Acharya and Sagar Timilsina are very popular. Also, many talented artists, like Samartha Bakjracharya, Yogesh Pokhrel, Arun Kakshapati etc, are establishing themselves in this field. The quality of art that these artists have produced is of a very high standard. Nepalese sculptures are also of a very high quality. The workmanship in the royal durbars of Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur palaces testify this fact. The Nepalese handicraft industry is one of the major cottage industries of Nepal and it helps to generate good revenues. The handicraft of Lalitpur and Bhaktapur are popular among the tourists visiting Nepal. Most of the existing craftsmen are [[Newars]]. Nepal is a country in the world. This is not a new fact for you. == Languages and literatures == As per 2001 census, at least 92 different living languages are spoken in Nepal, though other studies list 123 living languages[http://www.ethnologue.com/show_country.asp?name=NP]. Nepal’s linguistic heritage has evolved from three major language groups, namely, [[Indo-Aryan languages|Indo-Aryan]], [[Tibeto-Burman]], and [[Indigenous peoples|indigenous]]. The major languages of Nepal (percent spoken as mother tongue) are [[Nepali language|Nepali]] (49%), [[Maithili]] (12%), [[Bhojpuri]] (8%), [[Tharu]] (6%), [[Tamang]] (5%), [[Newari]]/[[Nepal Bhasa (language)|Nepal Bhasa]] (4%), [[Magar]] (3%), [[Awadhi]] (2%), [[Bantawa]] (2%), [[Limbu]] (1%), and [[Bajjika]] (1%). The remaining languages are each spoken as mother tongue by less than one percent of the population, for example [[Dura language|Dura]]. [[Nepali language|Nepali]], written in [[Devanagari]] script, is the official, national language and serves as ''lingua franca'' among Nepalese of different ethno-linguistic groups. In the southern [[Terai Region]], (5 to 10 mile wide stretch of flat plains, which is a northward continuation of Gangetic plains of India), [[Hindi]] is also spoken. Extinct languages of Nepal include [[Kusunda]] and [[Waling]]. Among notable Nepalese literary writers is [[Parijat (writer)|Parijat]]. ==Religions and philosophy== {{main|Religion in Nepal}} [[Image:A Buddhist Monastery Nepal.jpg|thumb|175px|right|A Buddhist Monastery]] The [[2001]] [[census]] identified 80.6% of the population as [[Hinduism in Nepal|Hindu]] and [[Buddhism in Nepal|Buddhism]] was practiced by about 11% of the population (although many people labelled Hindu or Buddhist often practice a syncretic blend of Hinduism, Buddhism and/or [[animist]] traditions). About 4.2% of the population is [[Muslim]] and 3.6% of the population follows the indigenous [[Kirant]] religion. [[Christianity]] is practiced officially by less than 0.5% of the population. Hindu and Buddhist traditions in Nepal go back to more than two millennia. In [[Lumbini]], Buddha was born, and [[Pashupatinath|Pashupatinath temple]], Kathamandu, is an old and famous [[Shiva|Shiva temple]] of Hindus. Nepal has several other [[temple]]s and Buddhist [[monastery|monasteries]] as well as places of worship of other religious groups. Traditionally, Nepalese [[philosophy|philosophical]] thoughts are ingrained with the Hindu and Buddhist philosophical ethos and traditions, which include elements of [[Shaivaites|Kashmir Shaivism]], Nyingma school of [[Tibetan Buddhism]], works of Karmacharyas of Bhaktapur, and a variety of tantric traditions. [[Tantra|Tantric]] traditions are deep rooted in Nepal, including the practice of animal sacrifices. Five types of animals, always male, are considered acceptable for sacrifice: [[Domestic buffalo|water buffalo]], [[goat]]s, [[sheep]], [[chicken]]s, and [[duck]]s. With a multiplicity of groups, Nepal has several cults, and [[God|gods and goddesses]], which co-exist with the major religions. In its long cultural history, Nepal has always remained a land of religious harmony. == Festivals and celebrations == Several of the [[festivals of Nepal]] last from one day to several days. Dashain is the longest and the most important festival of Nepal. Generally Dashain falls in late September to mid October, right after the end of the [[Monsoons|monsoon season]] in Nepal. It is "a day of Victory over Demons". Tihar is another important festival of Nepal. Other important festivals include [[Buddha Jayanti]] (the celebration of the birth of Buddha); [[Shivaratri|Maha Shivaratri]], a festival of [[Shive|Lord Shiva]], and during Maha Shivaratri festivities, some people consume excessive [[drink]]s and smoke [[charas]]. [[Sherpa]]s, mostly located at higher altitudes and in the [[Mount Everest|Everest]] region, celebrate Mani Rimdu, for ''the good of the world''. Most festivals include dancing and music and eating all kinds of local delicacies. A variety of foods is consumed during festivals and on special occasions. If one has to taste Nepali food, [[Newa cuisine]] is a must have; a festive meal, like one served during a [[marriage]], is a real treat, and include vegetarian as well as non-vegetarian dishes. == Food and drink == {{main|Cuisine of Nepal}} Nepal being a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic nation, diversity is observed in eating and drinking habits as well. However, a typical hill-region [[staple food]] consist of ''[[dahl baht|Dal-Bhat]]'' [http://www.hsdejong.nl/nepal/target_pages/dal_bhat.html] ([[lentil]] [[soup]] and [[cooked]] [[rice]]) with ''Tarkari'', that is, [[vegetable]] [[curry|curries]]. This is consumed twice daily, generally in the morning, and shortly after the sunset. Between these main meals, during mid-day, [[snack]]s like ''chura/Baji'' (beaten rice) and tea are consumed. Sometimes, [[meat]], [[egg (food)|eggs]], and [[fish]] preparations are also consumed. Most of the Nepalese prefer eating with their right hand, though some people have started using [[spoon]]s, [[fork]]s, and [[knife|knives]]. While eating with hands, lentil soup is poured over cooked rice, a little amount of vegetable curries is added, and the chunk so prepared is taken in the right hand for eating. Millet, maize, wheat bread (roti) are also consumed as staple food in certain areas. === Newa cuisine === {{main|Newa cuisine}} Some of Newa vegetarian preparations are: ''[[Baji]]'' (a preparation from flattened rice), ''[[Wauncha Tukan]]'' ([[mustard plant|green mustard]] vegetable), ''[[Bhuti]]'' (a preparation of white beans), ''Pharsi'' ([[pumpkin]] curry), ''Lainsoo'' ([[radish|dried radish curry]]), ''[[Simpu]]'' ([[bran|bran curry]]), ''Pahmaya'' (curry of green pulsespulse), ''[[Hamoh Kwa]]'' (sesame seed curry), ''[[Chhou Kwa]]'' (bamboo shoot soup),'' [[Dhau]]'' ([[yogurt]]), ''[[Sakhah]]'' (brown sugar to accompany ''dhau''), and ''[[Sisabusa]]'' (raw [[radish]], raw [[pea]]s, and fresh fruit pieces). Meat preparations may include Della (meat placed atop baji), ''[[Tahkugu Pukala]]'' (big slice of fried meat), ''Cheekugu Pukala'' (small pieces of fried meant), ''[[Tahkha]]'' (jelly meat), ''Chhakoola'' (meat pieces in curry), ''[[Dayekala]]'' (meat curry), ''Hayenla'' (meat curry with [[ginger]]), ''Gorma'' (white jellied meat), Rakshi is one of the traditionally distilled alcoholic drinks of Nepal. It is made from [[millet]], but is currently in the process of being banned by many "mothers' unions" in Nepal. ==See also== *[[Yeti]] *[[Newar Architecture]] *[[Nepal Bhasa]] *[[Newar]] *[[Majipa Lakhey]] *[[Media of Nepal]] *[[Mahananda Sapkota]] *[[Maharjan]] *[[Palanchok Temple]] ==External links== *[http://www.planetnepal.org/cgi-bin/view/Main/CategoryCultural Nepal Encyclopedia culture category] *[http://www.visitnepal.com/nepal_information/people.php Ethnic groups of Nepal] *[http://www.ethnologue.com/show_country.asp?name=NP Languages of Nepal] *[http://postcolonialweb.org/southasia/nepal/dahal1.html Literature of Nepal] {{Asia in topic|Culture of}} [[Category:Nepalese culture| ]] [[Category:Newar]] [[pt:Cultura do Nepal]] [[zh:?????]]