The Ethinic Communities of Nepal

The Ethinic Communities of Nepal

Are you a travel and adventure seeker? Are you fond of meeting new people from different cultural and ethnic backgrounds? Do you love to meet people from a  completely different and “unique” world that is away from the reach of many people?  

If this sounds like you, then you should surely seek an adventure trip to the lands of  Nepal.  

“Namaste”, this is probably the very first word you will hear when meeting the people of  Nepal. Namaste is a Sanskrit word which is used by Nepalese people to welcome their  guests, accompanied by a respectful bow of head and a genuine smile of acceptance. 

The Nepalese people are the friendliest people in the world which forces thousands of  visitors to visit the country again and again! Nepal is an incredibly diverse country and  home to multiple religions, tribes, races and cultures. The country has over 100 ethnic  groups and is like a melting pot of many languages and ethnicity. Many different ethnic  groups co-exist in Nepal, each with their own special and unique customs. 

The immense diversity in the population of Nepal might be because of the large scale  migrations of the Asian groups from Tibet and the Indo-Aryan people from the northern  parts of India. A more significant portion of the total population comprises of people of  Indo-Aryan origin. The people with Tibeto-Nepalese origin are other significant groups  of people. 

Among the people in Nepal, several ethnic groups constitute a more substantial  population of the country. Some of those ethnic groups are Chettri, Sherpa, Newar, Tharp, Bhramin, Gurung, Magar and so on. Nepal is not only diverse in ethnic groups  but also with religion. Hinduism and Buddhism are the religions that have co-existed in  Nepal for centuries. The people of Nepal live in harmony with a wide range of cultural and ethnic diversity. They respect each other and participate in each other’s festivals and  programmes, while maintaining social harmony, peace, and prosperity.  

It's quite fascinating to learn how people have adapted to their environment in amazing ways. Because of the inaccessibility of the mountains some people's lives have changed very little in the last century. You can still encounter caravans of mules transporting essential goods to and from distant settlements in the Himalayas. Oxes plough the land, blacksmiths make tools and bullock carts still transport grain and straw from the fields in the plains. Firewood is still a major source of energy for cooking in villages. City life may look modern with all the trappings of modernity, but traditions and cultures remain the same as they were centuries ago. Much of the festivals are celebrated exactly as they were centuries ago. Ancient rituals are adhered to in their original form as people are deeply religious and visit the temples daily. 

A Nepali family once introduced to you is very much likely to invite you to their house for a meal. Even the poorest people will share their meals with guests. The Nepalese people believe in “Atithi Devo Bhavan”, which means guests are equivalent to God.  Therefore, they leave no stone unturned to treat their guest in the best possible ways.  Perhaps, this is the major reason, why a tourist cannot remain a tourist for very long in  Nepal. Once a tourist begins to know the place and its people, he is no longer “just” a  stranger - he is a “valued” guest. 

The best means of meeting the people of Nepal are during a trek or just strolling down the streets of the cities or during one of several day tours offered by local tourism operators. 

Visiting Nepal, at the time of festivals can also be a very good option as you can experience different folds of “unity in diversity”, as people of different cultures,  languages, and ethnic groups, come “together” to celebrate all the festivals with much joy, celebration, and tranquility.  

Tourists and trekkers visit Nepal repeatedly and with each visit, they feel a stronger attachment and lifelong experience they can treasure forever! 

Author: Kamakshi Verma

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