NEWARI CULTURE

Newar are the native inhabitants of Kathmandu valley having their own identity and significance.  Newari culture is one of the richest culture of Nepal originally located in the capital Kathmandu including Bhaktapur and Lalitpur. Newari people have got their true identity and ethnicity.  From the birth to the death, they have their own rites and rituals. It is said that, the first-born girl child in the Newari family is considered as a luck and happiness. After 4 days of a birth of a child, they celebrate a ritual called ‘BEHENKU’. And after 2 years of a birth, they celebrate a ritual called ‘NIRPHUNIHI’. During a life period, several rituals are performed like: IHI, BAHARAHA (GUFFA), LEGAL MARRIAGE, JANKU and so on.

 

Newari culture is popular all over the country. Newari culture is famous for the festive such as MHA PUJA i.e. Worshiping self-soul that takes place during a year on the month of the September/October during the national festival Tihar. This day is also known as NEW YEAR of the Newari people. Newari culture is somehow vast, different pujas, jatras, festivals, rituals, and special occasion are celebrated. It is believed that all these festivals, rituals, pujas reunite the family and communities to share the emotions and joys. Newari have different festival every month. Some of them are ‘SIDDHICHARE NAKHA’, ‘PAAHAN CHARE NAKHA’, ‘SAMEHEBAJI PUNHNE’, ‘LOCAL GODDESS JATRAS’, and many more.

Newari culture has different types of cuisine. Newari cuisine is one of the prominent and ingenuous cuisine. Mostly Newari cuisine are non-vegetarian. Newari cuisine contains the buffalo meat. Varieties of dishes are made which has got its own importance such as SAMHE BAJI, CHATAMARI, CHYYALA, and so on.  Samhe baji consists of BAJI (BETTEAN RICE), CHOELIA, BHUTI, WAMCHA(SAG), KHEHEN (EGG), NYACHA(FISH), MUCIYA, AEILA(ALCOHOL).  During the time of festival like Dashain and jatras. Samhebaji is made to worship the god and goddess with flowers and lights.

Newari culture is rich in terms of music, dance, and art. Music and songs are performed for particular seasons and festivals. The music mainly consists of madal, tabala, flutes and strings which are rarely found. It consists the bajas like DHIMHE, DAHA. These bajas has its own importance and rules.

Newari dance are of two types namely Masked Dance and dance without masked. Different types of masked dance are performed during a year. Among them ‘LAKHE DANCE’ is very famous which is performed during a year. Dance without masks is performed specifically with baja’s like Dhime baja.

Newari arts consists of different statues, sculpture and monuments made in ancient era. Newari culture has their own attire. The way of living and attire are unique. They wear HAKUPATASHI, JANGA, TAPAHA LANGHA, SAN KETYA etc. Living goddess KUMARI is worshipped in Newari culture. 

 Newari culture is being famous all over the Nepal which is loved and nourished by everyone.