PEOPLES OF NEPAL
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| Flag of Nepal, The only national flag not rectangular or square |
Peoples of the Middle Mountains
Limbus, Rais, Newars, Gurungs, Magars, Bahuns, and Chetris
Who are the people residing in our Habitat work region of Pokhara? Researching this question has been quite confusing. I have discovered that due to Nepal's extremely diverse landscape (Himalayan peaks to the Terai flat lands), Nepal is a crossroads of many cultures.
There are more than 60 different ethnic groups or castes in Nepal with as many linguistic groups, life styles, and religions. What an incredibly rich cultural tapestry!
Hinduism in its colorful forms holds the hearts of the country's tropical south, as Buddhism flows from the Tibetan Plateau across the north. In the midst of the country both great faiths uniquely and colorfully fuse with ancient animism and shaman rituals.
Pokhara and Kathmandu are both located in the Middle Mountains or Midlands Zone, between the Himalayan peaks and the Terai or flat lands. Thus, the people we will be working with could be of the following ethnic groups who reside in the Midlands.
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| A View of Nepal's Geographic Diversity |
There are more than 60 different ethnic groups or castes in Nepal with as many linguistic groups, life styles, and religions. What an incredibly rich cultural tapestry!
Hinduism in its colorful forms holds the hearts of the country's tropical south, as Buddhism flows from the Tibetan Plateau across the north. In the midst of the country both great faiths uniquely and colorfully fuse with ancient animism and shaman rituals.
Pokhara and Kathmandu are both located in the Middle Mountains or Midlands Zone, between the Himalayan peaks and the Terai or flat lands. Thus, the people we will be working with could be of the following ethnic groups who reside in the Midlands.
Rais and Limbus
The Rais and the Limbus have inhabited and ruled the Kathmandu area since the 700's BC. Subsequently after being defeated around 300 AD, they moved to the eastern hilly area of Nepal. They call themselves Kirati and can be distinguished by their Mongolian features.
Newars
The Newars of the Kathmandu valley total more than one million. Their language is distinct from Tibetan, Hindi or Nepali and some say it is the most difficult language in the world to learn. They are excellent farmers and merchants as well as skilled artisans. I have read that Kublai Khan of China invited many artisans to his kingdom to work. Their architectural influence is very noticeable in the Kathmandu area and extending as far away as Lhasa. Their origins are shrouded in mystery but are probably made up of a variety of early settlers.
They live a communal life and have developed several unique customs including the worship of the Kumari, a girls worshipped as a living god and the annual charriot races, which are the annual highlight the valley's cultural life.
I am looking forward to see if the traditional dress of the Newars is still being worn. The men wear trousers with baggy seat, a double-breasted shirt, a vest or coat and a traditional hat called the topi. Some of the women wear a black sari with a red border.
I am looking forward to see if the traditional dress of the Newars is still being worn. The men wear trousers with baggy seat, a double-breasted shirt, a vest or coat and a traditional hat called the topi. Some of the women wear a black sari with a red border.
Gurungs
Are a Tibeto-Burmese people. One of the bigget Burung settlements is Ghandruk, with its sweeping view of the Annapurnas and Machhapuchhare. They have made up a large part of the Gurkha regiments. Gurung women wear noserings, known as phuli and oral necklaces. They call themselves Tamu and originally came from Tibet, bringing with them their animist Bon faith. A distinctive aspect of village life isthe rodi, a cross between a town hall and a youth center, where teenagers hang out and cooperative village tasks are planned.
Magars
A large group comprising 8% of the population is a Tibeto-Burmese people who live in many parts of the midlands thus showing considerable regional variations.
They are excellent soldiers, make up the largest numbers of Gurkhas. Generally they live in two-storey, rectangular or squre thatched houses washed in red clay. They have been heavily influenced by Hinduism and in terms of religion, farming, housing and dress, they are hard to distinguish from Chetris.
Are a Tibeto-Burmese people. One of the bigget Burung settlements is Ghandruk, with its sweeping view of the Annapurnas and Machhapuchhare. They have made up a large part of the Gurkha regiments. Gurung women wear noserings, known as phuli and oral necklaces. They call themselves Tamu and originally came from Tibet, bringing with them their animist Bon faith. A distinctive aspect of village life isthe rodi, a cross between a town hall and a youth center, where teenagers hang out and cooperative village tasks are planned.
Magars
A large group comprising 8% of the population is a Tibeto-Burmese people who live in many parts of the midlands thus showing considerable regional variations.
They are excellent soldiers, make up the largest numbers of Gurkhas. Generally they live in two-storey, rectangular or squre thatched houses washed in red clay. They have been heavily influenced by Hinduism and in terms of religion, farming, housing and dress, they are hard to distinguish from Chetris.
