| People, Culture and Tradition |
People, Culture and Tradition
(AS in HISTORY, Present facts might be different)
Pokhara valley is the place of both Arayans and
Mongolins. Most of the settlers that came from south and
west were Aryans and the rest of them who came from the
north were of Mongolian orgion. Before the arrival of
Aryans the Pokhara valley had no human habitation.
Aryans, migrated from India, were skillful cultivators.
So the fertile places of Pokhara like Hyangja, Kundahar
and Bindyabasini were occupied by them and brought under
cultivation. However, they preferred to live in the
hills for climatic reasons. They used to send the weaker
section of their society like Damai, Kami and Sarki to
look after their fields. So, it is believed that the low
caste people were the first inhabitants of the flat
plains of Pokhara. The Muslim community also claims that
they were the first settlers of Pokhara.
In the 17th century, Pokhara was ruled as a part of
Kaskikot, one of the most powerful of Chaubise Kingdoms
in central Nepal. Before the rise of the Shah kings
there are no reliable historical accounts.
People of Pokhara
Pokhara is rich in cultural diversity. The population of
the valley comprises Brahmins, Kshetris, Newars, Gurung,
Magar, Thakalis and other occupational castes like Damai
(tailor), Kami (blacksmith), Sunar (goldsmith) and Pode
(sweeper). There is a small Muslim community as well.
Occupation
The traditional community of Pokhara comprises mainly
peasants. The traditional occupation and role of
different castes and communities remain more or less the
same. In the military profession most of the recruits
are from Gurung, Magar and Kshetri. Gurung and magar
prefer the Indian and British Gorkha army. Thakali and
Newar are traditional business community. Thakalis
prefer hotel business whereas Newars are involved in
various commercial activites. Muslims of Pokhara are
also involved in business.
Culture and Tradition
Most of the people of Pokhara valley are Hindus and
Buddhists. However, different castes and ethnic groups
have their own culture and tradition. There are nearly
20 castes and communities in the Valley.
Brahmin and Kshetri Community
These are dominant communities elsewhere in Nepal. They
are strict followers of Hinduism. The general cultural
and traditional practices in Nepal reflect that of
Brahmin and Kshetri communities.
Gurung Community
Gurungs are hard working mongolian hill people
inhabiting southern part of Annapurna region in between
5,000 to 7,000 feet. Their main villages around Pokhara
include Ghandruk, Dhampus, Ghachok, Armala, Tanting,
Chhomorng and Sikles. Gurung people are considered
honest, brave and laborious. Most of the Gurungs prefer
to join the British and Indian army.
They have their own language and their cultural
practices are still existing. The Gurungs live in small
round, oval or rectangular houses which are clustered to
form a single village. The upper section of their house
is white washed and the lower part is red plastered.
The traditional costume for the women is maroon velvet
blouse and large cloth which is fastened over their one
shoulder, a wrap-round skirt and many yards of narrower
cloth wrapped around their waist. Their ornaments
include gold and coral necklaces which represent the
prosperity of their family. Gold ear and nose rings are
given to woman at the time of marriage. Money, keys and
various useful things are wrapped into the waist cloth.
A cotton cloth is usually tied round the head.
In Gurung community, boys and girls are free to make
self choice of marriage partners. However,
traditionally, cross-counsin marriage both of paternal
and maternal lineage is widely practiced. The Gurungs
have a very interesting dance tradtion. Two dances
namely Ghatu and Shorathi are most popular. Rodi is
another interesting Gurung institution. This is a club
for boys and girls, of more or less of the same
age-usually ten or eleven, under the supervision of an
adult. Rodi also serves as a work association where
various activities are planned for co-operative working.
The most important festival of Gurung is Lhosar which is
observed in the end of December.
Both cremation and burial practice of disposing dead
bodies are prevalent in Gurung communities. Sometimes in
the memory of dead person resting places (Chautara) are
constructed.
Thakali Community
Thakalis are the original inhabitant of Thak Khola, a
high valley of Kali Gandaki in Mustang district
northeast of Pokhara. The traditional areas of the true
Thakali is known as Thak-Satsaya or seven hundred Thak
but nowadays they have increased in number and have
spread much further. Thakalis have regular feature of
Mongolian with round face, flat nose, high cheekbones,
narrow eyes and yellow skin pigments. They speak their
own language which belongs to the Tibeto-Burmese family.
Previously the profession of the Thakali was salt trade
form tibet. But nowadays they are involved in different
business in the major cities of Nepal and have proved
themselves to be successful entrepreneurs.
Thakali marriage custom is distinctive. They practice
cross-cousin marriage of both maternal and parental
lineage. The traditional marriage system is very
interesting. The friends and close relatives of the boy
set out for evening walk and capture the girl to be
married. Then she is kept under the strict guardianship
until her parents agree. But their traditions are
rapidly changing and many Thakalis do not prefer
traditional marriage.
The most significant festival is "Ihafeva" which is
observed in November of every monkey year of the twelve
year cycle according the Tibetan calendar. Many Thak
people are attracted By Pokhara but Thak Khola is still
considered the homeland of Thakalis. There are fewer
Thakalis in Pokhara in comparison to others but their
influence in trade and business is high.
Newar Community
Newars are the indigenous habitants of Kathmandu Valley.
They have come to Pokhara for their traditional business
and their main concentration is in Ramkrishna Tole and
in the area around Mahendra Pool. One can observe their
community in Ramkrishna Tole properly. They still follow
the joint family system and every member is involved in
the family business.
They have their own language and very rich tradtion.
Their caste group ranges from lowest group of sweepers
to the highest group of priests. They follow Buddhism as
well as Hinduism.
Magar Community
Magar communities are migrated one and found elsewhere
in scattered form they have their own language, customs
and cultural identity.
Muslim Community
This community is regarded as one of the oldest
community residing the valley. They are very
conservative and are strict followers of Muslim laws.
They are very few in number and their main business is
selling bangles. They are mainly concentrated at
Kundahar.
Gaine Community
One can see persons begging on roads by singing in
accompaniment with a typical musical instrument. These
people represent the Gaine community. They are
concentrated in the Batulechowr which lies on the
northern part of the valley. They are very poor and play
the same role in social life as "minstrels". The
instrument they carry along with them are known as
"Sarangi" which is a locally made violin. They sing
songs of valor, gallantry or of some tragic incident.
Tibetan Community
Actually they are the refugees from Tibet but they have
settled here and kept their tradition and culture alive.
So you can observe their traditions and cultures almost
unchanged. There are three Tibetan settlements in the
valley. namely-Prithvi Chowk, Hyangja and Davis fall. |
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