Culture and Lifestyle in Nepal.
The culture of Nepal and Nepalese people’s lifestyles it’s as diverse as the terrain and climate of the country. It is no exaggeration to say that Nepal is a melting pot of races and groups. Tibet-Burmans or Mongoloids from the north, and Indo-Aryans from the south, are the two main groups that have acquired various customs from sides, and the terrain, climate, and accessible resources have all influenced how time has passed. The local people occupy the high mountains in large numbers.
Because the locals have easy commercial and social access to Tibet, the Tibetan impact on their culture and civilization is distinct. Raising animals and commerce are their livelihoods. Life in the mountains is difficult because of the severe temperature and topography. Life here is a delicate mix of hard work and social revelry, balanced by an old religious culture. The Brahmins, Chettris, and Newars are among the Tibeto-Burman and Indo-Aryan peoples who live in the mid-hills, valleys, and river basins.
The Brahmins and Chettris inhabit the country mainly practising numerous forms of agriculture and animal husbandry. But the Newars, who are more in business, are mainly concentrated in the Katmandu Valley and other small and big towns across the country. The Tamangs live in the north-central hills. The eastern hills are home to the Rais, Limbus, and Chepangs. The centre hilly region is home to the Magars, Gurungs, and Thakalis. They grow different crops and keep animals for their livelihood, and have their own distinct social and cultural patterns.
The Tharus, Kumals, Brahmins, Rajputs, Danwars, Majhis, Darais, Rajbansis, Statars, Dhimals and Dhangars are the chief ethnic groups living in the southern plains of Nepal. The majority of these ethnic groups have Indian ancestors. They speak Maithili, Bhojpuri, and other northern Indian languages. Even though there are few castes with specific occupations like Majhi (Fisherman), Kumhal (Potter), and Danuwar, the bulk of people work in agriculture (Cart Driver).
As King Prithivi Narayan Shah has famously noted, Nepal is a shared garden of four castes and 36 ethnic groups where people have lived in perfect harmony and peace for ages. This respect for multi-legality, multi-ethnicity and religious diversity; among the people of various ethnic, tribal, and social groups living in astonishingly varying physical and social settings; has made despite its poverty, ignorance, and backwardness, Nepal a culturally rich and varied population.
Nepalese culture is a one-of-a-kind blend of tradition and innovation. Traditions are kept, but new ones also appear to adapt to the circumstances. Religion, festivals, meals, beverages, language, music, dance, songs, folklore, literature, and philosophy are just a few of the ways Nepali culture shows itself. In a nutshell, Nepal is a country where people value art, culture, and religion. Nepal was a feudalistic culture with clear class divisions, therefore manners, dress, language, rituals, behavioural standards, and religions in all sectors of life are ways of living.
Despite the fact that Nepal adheres to a variety of religions, there has never been a religious war. Nepalese people place a high priority on religious tolerance and respect. The majority of the population is Hindu, accounting for around 80% of the population; Buddhists for about 11% of the population, Muslims for 10%, and Kirats for 4% and the rest are other religious followers like Christians. Nepali culture revolves around celebrations and festivities. Nepal is a nonstop festival country in the world. In Nepal, festivals begin with religious importance and finish with social gatherings of relatives and friends.
Nepal annually observes more than 50 important festivals. The majority of holidays are tied to various Hindu and Buddhist gods and goddesses and have a religious undertone. Vijaya Dashami, Deepawali, Buddha Purnima, and Lhosar are all national holidays. However; there are some festivals that have historical significance and others are seasonal celebrations. Festivals are not only annual spectacles for the Nepalese but also a live aspect of their rich cultural tradition. Festivals have helped Nepalese people come together despite the country’s apparent variety.
Lifestyle in Nepal:-
The family, which is led by the father, is the centre of social activity in the hamlet. In the quest for more land, extended families might occasionally split apart when sons separate from their parents and brothers from one another. At the moment of separation, the property of the family is split evenly among the boys. Consequently, family landholdings are extremely fragmented. Villagers often pool resources and labour to implement village-level projects such as irrigation ditches or channels. In most sections of the country, rice is a staple food. In the Himalayas, barley, millet, and potatoes are essential dietary mainstays.
Women in Nepal typically get subpar treatment and have little access to financial resources, political influence, and educational possibilities. Their condition, on the other hand, differs depending on which ethnic group they belong to. Among the Tibeto-Nepalese community, female status is relatively better than in Indo-Nepalese communities. Women work harder and longer than men at household activities, collecting water and animal feed, and farming. Upper-class women, on the other hand, have servants to assist them with household responsibilities.