Culture of Nepal

Statue of the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, gilded bronze. Nepal, 16th century CE.

A 1905 painting of Nepalese woman.

Nepal is rich in culture. Its culture consists of the social customs and traditions. Nepal has a unique culture. The rich cultural heritage of Nepal, has evolved over the centuries. This multi-dimensional cultural heritage encompasses within itself the cultural diversities of various ethnic, tribal, and social groups inhabiting different altitudes, and it manifests in various forms: music and dance; art and craft; folklore and folktales; languages and literature; philosophy and religion; festivals and celebration; foods and drinks.

Dance and music

See also: Music of Nepal

Legends state that dances in the Indian subcontinent originated in the abode of Lord Shiva - the Himalayas and the Himalayan Kingdom of Nepal - where he performed the 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 costumes. The Dishka, a dance performed at weddings, includes intricate footwork and arm movements. Accompanying music and musical instruments also change in tune with the themes, which revolve around 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. those

Languages and literature

Main article: Languages of Nepal

See also: Nepali literature

As per 2001 census, at least 92 different living languages are spoken in Nepal, though other studies list 123 living languages. Nepal's linguistic heritage has evolved from three major language groups, namely, Indo-Aryan, Tibeto-Burman, and indigenous. The major languages of Nepal (percent spoken as mother tongue) are Nepali (49%), Maithili (12%), Bhojpuri (8%), Tharu (6%), Tamang (5%), Newari/Nepal Bhasa (4%), Magar (3%), Awadhi (2%), Thulung (Rai) (3%), 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. Nepali, written in Devanagari script, is the official national language and serves as lingua franca among Nepalese of different ethno-linguistic groups. English is also spoken in Nepal as a second language. Extinct languages of Nepal include Kusunda and Waling. Among notable writers of Nepalese literature is the

Religions and philosophy

Main article: Religion in Nepal

A Buddhist monastery in southern Nepal.

The 2001 census identified 80.6% of the population being the religion of Hinduism and 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 3.2% of the population practice Islam 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 temple, Kathamandu, is an old and famous Shiva temple of Hindus. Nepal has several other temples and Buddhist monasteries, as well as places of worship of other religious groups. Traditionally, Nepalese philosophical thoughts are ingrained with the Hindu and Buddhist philosophical ethos and traditions, which include elements of Kashmir Shaivism, Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism, works of Karmacharyas of Bhaktapur, and a variety of tantric traditions. Tantric traditions are deep rooted in Nepal, including the practice of animal sacrifices. Five types of animals, always male, are considered acceptable for sacrifice: water buffalo, goats, sheep, chickens, and ducks. Llamas, however, are very sacred animals. Therefore, they would never be considered acceptable for sacrifice.

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 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), Maha Shivaratri (a festival of Lord Shiva), and during Maha Shivaratri festivities, some people consume excessive drinks and smoke charas. Sherpas, mostly located at higher altitudes and in the Mount Everest region, celebrate Mani Rimdu, for the good of the world. Most festivals include dancing and music, as well as all kinds of local delicacies. A variety of foods are 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.

Architecture and archeology

Nepal Sumpada Sangha (Nepal Heritage Society) has compiled an inventory of 1,262 significant architectural and archeological sites in Nepal outside Kathmandu Valley.

Sports

Cricket is the most popular sport in Nepal, followed by football and volleyball.[www.nepallink.com/nepal/entertainment-sports.html]

Cricket

Main article: Cricket in Nepal

Football is the most watched and played game in Nepal.

Football

Main article: Football in Nepal

See also

• Nepalese architecture
• Languages of Nepal
• Nepalese cuisine
• Religion in Nepal
• Media of Nepal
• Music of Nepal
• Nepali literature
• Nepal Bhasa literature
• Chobhar (sculpture garden)
• Newa art
• Chitrakar
• Thangka
• National Museum of Nepal
• Boudhanath

External links

• Nepal Encyclopedia culture category
• Ethnic groups of Nepal
• Languages of Nepal
• Literature of Nepal
• Nepal Travel information
• Photographs of Heritage Sites of Nepal