Unique Customs and traditions of Nepal ( Anjana Karki)

                 Unique Customs and traditions of Nepal

                Anjana Karki

Department of Social Studies

Nepal's richness in customs and traditions can be attributed to its diverse ethnic and cultural heritage. the country is home to a wide range of ethnic groups, each with its own unique customs, traditions, languages and religious practices. Some traditions stem from ancient religious origins while some traditions are specific to only one ethnic community. Some interesting and unique traditions in Nepal related to major life events such as birth, adolescence, marriage, old age and death of different caste are given below :

1.     Nuwaran(Name giving ceremony) :
Originating from Hindu beliefs, Nuwaran is a child naming ceremony celebrated after 8th(for girls) and 9th (for boys) days of birth.

An interesting naming ceremony occurs in sherpa communities as children are often named after the day on which they were born. Thus, a baby born on Thursday(symbol of Jupiter) would be called 'Purbha' In addition, the Sherpa children also given virtue names such as 'Dorje' (wisdom). The day names are often prefixed to the virtue names such as 'PhuDorje' (Jupiter Wisdom).

2.     Tamang Marriage Rituals :
Their traditional procedures are followed throughout the wedding ceremony. A Tamang man can marry a female From any clan, but not a girl from another caste. Cross-cousin marriage, such as to one's mother's brother's daughter or one's father's sister's daughter are preferred. They are called as solta or Soltini.

3.     Kulpuja of Magar :
The old and knowledgeable member of the magar worship their Kuldebata (ancestral god) with “Acheta”, “Pati”, cooked rice, pure wine and flowers. At the end of worship, alive heart of black pigs is offered by priest to the god. The ritual rule is that, if pig is female, the chicken must be male or vice-versa.

4.     Janku in Newar's community :
Janku is an old age ceremony which is conducted when a person reaches the age of 77 years, seven minute, seven quarter. Three further Janku ceremonies are performed at similar auspicious milestone at age 83,88 and 99.

5.     Putpute (Pulpule) ceremony of Gurungs :
This ceremony is held only for the eldest male child and is said to mean that the child is reared in a very loving and obviously pampered environment. Pulpute or pulpuleas as it is known is held at the age of 2 years and conducted by the maternal uncle. The main theme of this ceremony is to offer worship to their patron god. The boy is blessed by the guests with gifts. There is much singing and dancing and the inevitable feast of foods and liquors concludes the ceremony.

6.     Death ritual in Rai community :
In Rai community death is distinguished between the natural death and unnatural death in their rites of the passage as well. In the case of natural death, the body is either buried or cremated, upon the wish of the dead person. But the body must be buried in the case of unnatural death.

References :

·        Unique traditions in Nepal - 2016
HoneyGuide Apps (https//honeyguideapps.com)

·        Rai people - Wikipedia
(https//en.m.wikipedia.org)

·        Janku : celebration of life in the Newar Traditions
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Submitted By :Anjana Karki