Religion
Most people think of Nepal as being Buddhist since Gautam Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, was born in Lumbini, Nepal but the actual fact is that Buddhism only makes up 9% of the religion in Nepal (Bradford, 2015). The main religion in Nepal is Hindu making up about 81.3% of the population and other religions such as Muslim 4.4%, Ki rant 3.1% and Christianity 1.4% (Bradford, 2015). This is because Nepal became a secular country on May 18, 2006, by order of their parliament and Nepal has had multiple religions since.
Ethnicity/Race and Language
Like the religion there are multiple ethnicities in Nepal. According to the CIA the ethnic groups are Chhettri 16.6%, Brahman-Hill 12.2%, Magar 7.1%, Tharu 6.6%, Tamang 5.8%, Newar 5%, Kami 4.8%, Muslim 4.4%, Yadav 4%, Rai, 2.3%, Gurung 2%, Damai/Dholii 1.8%, Thakuri 1.6%, Limbu 1.5% Sarki 1.4%, Teli 1.4%, Chamar/Harijan/Ram 1.3% Koiri/Kushwaha 1.2% and other 19% (CIA, 2017). There are actually 101 ethnic groups and with that many ethnicities there are almost as many languages spoken in Nepal and according to the CIA the report in 2011 was 123 languages, with Nepali being the official language of Nepal.
Cultural Norms
Though the Nepal government abolished the caste system in 1963, traditions are to shake for the people of Nepal and the caste systems still determine a lot for the Nepalese people. With the caste system status is very important for the Nepalese, when they meet for the first time they ask each other their name, home town and profession to determine each other’s status (Culture and Etiquette, 2016). With Nepal being rich in culture from so many religions and ethnicities, each region has its own customs, language, food, dress and each caste in those same regions differ as well (Community Development in Nepal, N.D.). Saying hello in Nepal you would say Namaste and shake both hands as this is a sign of respect they don’t kiss (Community Development in Nepal, N.D.).
Most people think of Nepal as being Buddhist since Gautam Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, was born in Lumbini, Nepal but the actual fact is that Buddhism only makes up 9% of the religion in Nepal (Bradford, 2015). The main religion in Nepal is Hindu making up about 81.3% of the population and other religions such as Muslim 4.4%, Ki rant 3.1% and Christianity 1.4% (Bradford, 2015). This is because Nepal became a secular country on May 18, 2006, by order of their parliament and Nepal has had multiple religions since.
Ethnicity/Race and Language
Like the religion there are multiple ethnicities in Nepal. According to the CIA the ethnic groups are Chhettri 16.6%, Brahman-Hill 12.2%, Magar 7.1%, Tharu 6.6%, Tamang 5.8%, Newar 5%, Kami 4.8%, Muslim 4.4%, Yadav 4%, Rai, 2.3%, Gurung 2%, Damai/Dholii 1.8%, Thakuri 1.6%, Limbu 1.5% Sarki 1.4%, Teli 1.4%, Chamar/Harijan/Ram 1.3% Koiri/Kushwaha 1.2% and other 19% (CIA, 2017). There are actually 101 ethnic groups and with that many ethnicities there are almost as many languages spoken in Nepal and according to the CIA the report in 2011 was 123 languages, with Nepali being the official language of Nepal.
Cultural Norms
Though the Nepal government abolished the caste system in 1963, traditions are to shake for the people of Nepal and the caste systems still determine a lot for the Nepalese people. With the caste system status is very important for the Nepalese, when they meet for the first time they ask each other their name, home town and profession to determine each other’s status (Culture and Etiquette, 2016). With Nepal being rich in culture from so many religions and ethnicities, each region has its own customs, language, food, dress and each caste in those same regions differ as well (Community Development in Nepal, N.D.). Saying hello in Nepal you would say Namaste and shake both hands as this is a sign of respect they don’t kiss (Community Development in Nepal, N.D.).
Nepal’s Social Customs
Brahmins and Chhetris
Two of the different cultural groups living in Nepal are the Brahmins and the Chhetris who live in most of the ecological regions such as the Terai, Hill and Mountain regions. They are Hindu and follow the Hindu religion and traditions (About Nepal, 2017). These two cultures are rich in culture and are positioned high in Nepal society. One of the customs that they have is that they have a celebration called Nwaran ceremony which is the naming day of a child; which happens eleven days after a child is born (About Nepal, 2017). Sons are given a special ceremony in which a janai (thread) is given to him after a religious ceremony is performed (About Nepal, 20147). Marriage is very important to these two cultures and a recent tread is love and arranged marriages. Since they are practicing Hindus they celebrate many of the Hindu festivals such as Dashain, Teej, Janai Purnima, Holi and Chhat to name a few (About Nepal, 20174).
Brahmins and Chhetris
Two of the different cultural groups living in Nepal are the Brahmins and the Chhetris who live in most of the ecological regions such as the Terai, Hill and Mountain regions. They are Hindu and follow the Hindu religion and traditions (About Nepal, 2017). These two cultures are rich in culture and are positioned high in Nepal society. One of the customs that they have is that they have a celebration called Nwaran ceremony which is the naming day of a child; which happens eleven days after a child is born (About Nepal, 2017). Sons are given a special ceremony in which a janai (thread) is given to him after a religious ceremony is performed (About Nepal, 20147). Marriage is very important to these two cultures and a recent tread is love and arranged marriages. Since they are practicing Hindus they celebrate many of the Hindu festivals such as Dashain, Teej, Janai Purnima, Holi and Chhat to name a few (About Nepal, 20174).
Newars
Another culture comes from the Kathmandu Valley the Newars which are also steeped in a rich culture and customs. They are Hindu and Buddhist (Newars, 2015). Newars are mainly traders and they make up about 5% of the population of Nepal. Though they make up a small percent of the population of Nepal they have contributed significantly to the history, architecture and art of Nepal (Newars, 2015). The Newars have their own language known as “Newari” or Nepal Bhasa which belongs to the Burman language family of Tibeto (Newar, 2015).
Another culture comes from the Kathmandu Valley the Newars which are also steeped in a rich culture and customs. They are Hindu and Buddhist (Newars, 2015). Newars are mainly traders and they make up about 5% of the population of Nepal. Though they make up a small percent of the population of Nepal they have contributed significantly to the history, architecture and art of Nepal (Newars, 2015). The Newars have their own language known as “Newari” or Nepal Bhasa which belongs to the Burman language family of Tibeto (Newar, 2015).
Sherpas
When most people think of Nepal and Mt. Everest they think of Sherpas which hail from the Mountain region. They are indispensable to mountain expeditions as leaders, guides and porters because of their impeccable mountaineering skills (The Sherpas, 2015). Because of their close connection to Tibet in trade, language and traditions the Tibetan influence is clearly seen (The Sherpas, 2015). They are Buddhist. There are two castes in the culture, the Khadev which are higher in the social status and the Khamedu (The Sherpas, 2015).
When most people think of Nepal and Mt. Everest they think of Sherpas which hail from the Mountain region. They are indispensable to mountain expeditions as leaders, guides and porters because of their impeccable mountaineering skills (The Sherpas, 2015). Because of their close connection to Tibet in trade, language and traditions the Tibetan influence is clearly seen (The Sherpas, 2015). They are Buddhist. There are two castes in the culture, the Khadev which are higher in the social status and the Khamedu (The Sherpas, 2015).
Tharus
An indigenous ethnic group are the Tharus, who live mostly in the Northern and inner Terai and are aboriginal Terai settlers. They are believed to have arrived in the 12th and 13th century from India during the Muslim invasion of India (Tharus, 2015). They have distinct Mongoloid features of dark and semi-dark colors (Tharus, 2015). Like the Newars they have their own language known as ‘Naja’ but will speak with a mixture of local dialects (Tharus, 2015).
An indigenous ethnic group are the Tharus, who live mostly in the Northern and inner Terai and are aboriginal Terai settlers. They are believed to have arrived in the 12th and 13th century from India during the Muslim invasion of India (Tharus, 2015). They have distinct Mongoloid features of dark and semi-dark colors (Tharus, 2015). Like the Newars they have their own language known as ‘Naja’ but will speak with a mixture of local dialects (Tharus, 2015).
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This link will take you to a video that give a brief lesson on Nepal’s history. It takes you through the life of the Nepalese people, through their culture and food. It explains the differences in their culture, religion and caste system.
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www.imnepal.com/social-practices-traditions-culture-customs-nepal/
In this article seven cultural practices are explained. It explains the giving of money from households to social clubs for senior citizens. It also explains the social practice of giving and taking help in labor/services.