Nepal is a country of highly diverse and rich geography, culture, and religions. The mountainous north has eight of the world’s ten highest mountains, including the highest, Mount Everest. Nepal is blessed with one of the richest cultures in the world. Culture has been called ‘the way of life for an entire society’. The statement holds particularly true in the case of Nepal, where every aspect of life, food, clothing, and even occupations, is culturally guided. The culture of Nepal includes the codes of manners, dress, language, rituals, norms of behavior, and systems of belief.
We have many cases, cultures, and religions. So, Nepal is rich in cultural diversity. People live in the Himalayas, mountains, and the Tarai regions from east to west. They celebrate many festivals. Dashain is known as the most important festival among the Hindu people. During this festival, they worship Durga and take Tika as a holy Prasad. Likewise, Tihar is the second greatest festival. We worship Laxmi and exchange tika between brothers and sisters.
So, it is also known as Bhai taka. In the Tarai, the women celebrate Sama chakhewa as a symbol of the relationship between brothers and sisters, chhath, Holi, or Fagu purnima. Teej is the next important festival among Hindu women. They worship god Shiva for their husbands ‘ long lives. Jitiya is celebrated in the Tharu community. It is like Teej. In western Nepal, the Gaura festival is celebrated. They worship Shiva. They also perform the Dueda dance. In the Eastern Hills,chandi naach is popular. They mainly worship their ancestors during the festival. The Gurung, Tamang, and Sherpa celebrate Losar as the new year of their societies.
Culture and Tradition in Nepal
Nepalese are among the most hospitable hosts. This is the reason why tourists from far and wide enjoy coming to Nepal time and again. Local Nepalese are generally rural people who welcome tourists to their homes for tea, coffee, or supper. Nepalese are culturally warm, hospitable, and affectionate hosts who place their heart above their head.
The clothes are used according to their geographical belt in Nepal. People of the mountain belt wear thick and long woolen clothes called Bakku and Docha. The people of the hilly region wear Kachhar, Bhoto, and a cap. The Terai people wear a Dhoti and a long shirt called a Kurta. The Mayalposh Suruwal, coat, and cap are the national dress of the Nepalese people. Fariya (sari) and Cholo (Blouse) are popular among the Terai females. Women wear the dresses, also Patuka and Shaw, which I call Panchhyyaura. Besides our national attire, people also wear Western clothes in Nepal.
Nepal’s culture is unique and Authentic
Nepal’s culture is a unique blend of tradition and novelty. The traditions are followed as they were, and new customs are created to keep pace with the changing times. Culture in Nepal is an assemblage of music, architecture, religion, and literature. The mountain kingdom of Nepal is multi-ethic and multi-lingual. The land is rich with more than 35 ethnic groups following different traditions and cultures. The main rituals followed in Nepal are the naming ceremony, rice-feeding ceremony, tonsure ceremony, ceremony of giving Nepali Sari (Guniu), marriage ceremony, and funeral rite. The rituals are still prevailing in society and are performed with zeal. Different ritual experts have different roles in these rituals.
