Describe a GURUNG culture or civilization. Why is it interesting to you? What could people learn from studying or visiting the people of this culture?
Nepal is blessed with a rich cultural heritage. Culture has been called 'the way of life for an entire society'. The statement particularly true in case of Nepal where every aspect of life, food, clothing and even occupations are culturally classified. In a society so feudalistic and so fractured across class lines, cultural heritage comes as a fresh wind. The culture of Nepal includes the codes of manners, dress, language, rituals, norms of behavior and systems of belief.
The culture of Nepal is a unique combination of tradition and novelty. The traditions are followed as they were and new customs are created to keep pace with the changing times. It is surprising to note that a country as poor, illiterate and backward as Nepal displays such flexibility when it come to incorporating traits from other cultures. Culture in Nepal is an assemblage of music, architecture, religion and literature. The mountain kingdom of Nepal is multi-ethic and multi-lingual. The land is rich with unique cultural groups like Tharu, Yadav, Ahir, Newars, Gurung, Magar, Brahmins, and others.
Nepalese are among the most hospitable hosts. Nepalese are culturally warm, hospitable and affectionate hosts who place their heart above their head. Religion is the lifeblood of the Nepalese. Officially it is a Hindu country, but in practice the religion is a syncretism of Hindu and Buddhist beliefs with a pantheon of Tantrik deities tagged on.
One of the different and very amusing culture in Nepal is Gurung Culture. The Gurungs of Nepal are an oriental people who migrated to the foothills of the Himalayas many centuries ago. The first Gurung village in south of the Himalaya is said to be Khhol, the ruins of which are high in the forest of northern Lamjung. The highest Gurung villages were originally at an altitude of 3,500 metres. These high villages have mostly now been abandoned in favour of newer villages which lie at a lower altitude, between 2,500 metres and 1,000 metres.
Tamu is another name of Gurung Community of Nepal. Different sayings are there, how Gurungs are named 'Tamu'. One of the saying is - Long ago, Gurung people used to live in the mountainous or hilly regions - some are still living there. It is being said that when somebody asked Gurung peoples where is your inhabitant (home) or where do you live or where are you from? Gurung people very simply used to give a reply as ''Tai Mu''. It means ''Tai'' - 'ताई' and Mu 'मू'. It symbolize in gurung language that ''Tai'' - 'ताई' means 'माथि' - 'Upper Level' and Mu 'मू' means 'छु' - 'Stay'- 'माथि छु'. It means Gurungs living/staying in upper mountainous region was known as 'Tai' 'Mu'. After time passes on "Tai" "Mu" is completely transformed to "Tamu". That's how today, Gurung is also known as Tamu.
'Tamu Lhosar' is the first day and the biggest celebration day of Gurung/Tamu community people and also known as New Year. The Tamu Lhosar marks the beginning of the 'Tamu Sambat' or 'Gurung Calendar Year'. Tamu Lhosar is celebrated on every 15 Poush of the Nepali Calendar (in December/January). This Year Lhosar is on 30th December 2018 [15 Poush, 2075] on Sunday. Last Year Lhosar was on 30th December 2017 [15 Poush, 2074] on Saturday. Lhosar is the time when family members of all generations get together and exchange love and greetings. In big cities, Gurungs come together to celebrate Tamu Lhosar (Gurung's New Year) at a common place and rejoice in various cultural processions, feasting and greetings. In the old days in the villages, they gathered in courtyards (à¤ेगका चोक, आँगन) or Tamu Samaj Bhawan Building (तमू समाज घर) to celebrate Lhosar. In Kathmandu, Lhosar is celebrated in Tundikhel ground at the city center vibrant with colorful stalls and people flooding inside on Poush 15 under Nepali Bikram Sambat Calendar. Poush 15 marks the end of winter and start of spring that also brings warmness and charm to Tamu Lhosar. Gurungs all across the world celebrate Tamu Lhosar by organizing rallies in traditional attires (पोशाक, वस्त्र) and cultural programs. They also visit Buddhist shrine on that day. The days in Lhosar and the events are the opportunities to Nepal traveler to witness cultural heritages of the Gurung community.
Gurung community mainly celebrates five festivals. Poush 15 (Lhosar - New Year), Manghi Parva, Mhetalhe Lhiba (Archery), Thon Thein (Pooja to protect Village) and Baishakh Purnima (Budhha Jayanti) are the major festivals that are celebrated by Gurung (Tamu) in Nepal.
Gurung (Tamu)'s Main Festivals:↴
Gurung men wear Bhangra (à¤ाङ्ग्रा), a white cloth shirt-like apparel tied across the chest and open like a bag at the back (for carrying things), Bhoto (à¤ोटो) and a Kachhad (Faki-फकी), like a short sarong or kilt. Gurung women, both children and adolescents, were seen in their maroon velvet Ghalek (blouses), enhanced by large gold earrings and semi-precious stone necklaces. Sometimes stalls selling varieties of delicacies (व्यञ्जनहरु) are set up by people from different areas, families or individuals in the common gathering place to celebrate Lhosar. Good mood food, good company and awesome music are the essence of good times. People in small and large groups sat on the ground enjoying delicious Gurung dishes. People perform traditional and cultural dancing. Home-made raksi (alcohol) are also being served. Government of Nepal has recently cut-off 22 public holidays on the year 2075 and Tamu Lhosar is one of them but has provided the holiday only for Gurung Community people to celebrate Lhosar 'New Year'. Gurungs are very rich in tradition and culture. Rodhighar, Chudka, Sorathi, Ghantu and Dohori are some of the wonderful contribution of Gurung culture to Nepal. Gurungs have their own language, cultural festivals, rituals, traditions, but are consistence with Nepali culture and values. It is playing a great role in Nepal's economic and cultural development. Therefore, I like it and it's celebrations as they are typical. By the study of this culture we can learn originality, simplicity and helpful life with mutual co-operation and brotherlihood.
Nepal is blessed with a rich cultural heritage. Culture has been called 'the way of life for an entire society'. The statement particularly true in case of Nepal where every aspect of life, food, clothing and even occupations are culturally classified. In a society so feudalistic and so fractured across class lines, cultural heritage comes as a fresh wind. The culture of Nepal includes the codes of manners, dress, language, rituals, norms of behavior and systems of belief.
The culture of Nepal is a unique combination of tradition and novelty. The traditions are followed as they were and new customs are created to keep pace with the changing times. It is surprising to note that a country as poor, illiterate and backward as Nepal displays such flexibility when it come to incorporating traits from other cultures. Culture in Nepal is an assemblage of music, architecture, religion and literature. The mountain kingdom of Nepal is multi-ethic and multi-lingual. The land is rich with unique cultural groups like Tharu, Yadav, Ahir, Newars, Gurung, Magar, Brahmins, and others.
Nepalese are among the most hospitable hosts. Nepalese are culturally warm, hospitable and affectionate hosts who place their heart above their head. Religion is the lifeblood of the Nepalese. Officially it is a Hindu country, but in practice the religion is a syncretism of Hindu and Buddhist beliefs with a pantheon of Tantrik deities tagged on.
One of the different and very amusing culture in Nepal is Gurung Culture. The Gurungs of Nepal are an oriental people who migrated to the foothills of the Himalayas many centuries ago. The first Gurung village in south of the Himalaya is said to be Khhol, the ruins of which are high in the forest of northern Lamjung. The highest Gurung villages were originally at an altitude of 3,500 metres. These high villages have mostly now been abandoned in favour of newer villages which lie at a lower altitude, between 2,500 metres and 1,000 metres.
Tamu is another name of Gurung Community of Nepal. Different sayings are there, how Gurungs are named 'Tamu'. One of the saying is - Long ago, Gurung people used to live in the mountainous or hilly regions - some are still living there. It is being said that when somebody asked Gurung peoples where is your inhabitant (home) or where do you live or where are you from? Gurung people very simply used to give a reply as ''Tai Mu''. It means ''Tai'' - 'ताई' and Mu 'मू'. It symbolize in gurung language that ''Tai'' - 'ताई' means 'माथि' - 'Upper Level' and Mu 'मू' means 'छु' - 'Stay'- 'माथि छु'. It means Gurungs living/staying in upper mountainous region was known as 'Tai' 'Mu'. After time passes on "Tai" "Mu" is completely transformed to "Tamu". That's how today, Gurung is also known as Tamu.
'Tamu Lhosar' is the first day and the biggest celebration day of Gurung/Tamu community people and also known as New Year. The Tamu Lhosar marks the beginning of the 'Tamu Sambat' or 'Gurung Calendar Year'. Tamu Lhosar is celebrated on every 15 Poush of the Nepali Calendar (in December/January). This Year Lhosar is on 30th December 2018 [15 Poush, 2075] on Sunday. Last Year Lhosar was on 30th December 2017 [15 Poush, 2074] on Saturday. Lhosar is the time when family members of all generations get together and exchange love and greetings. In big cities, Gurungs come together to celebrate Tamu Lhosar (Gurung's New Year) at a common place and rejoice in various cultural processions, feasting and greetings. In the old days in the villages, they gathered in courtyards (à¤ेगका चोक, आँगन) or Tamu Samaj Bhawan Building (तमू समाज घर) to celebrate Lhosar. In Kathmandu, Lhosar is celebrated in Tundikhel ground at the city center vibrant with colorful stalls and people flooding inside on Poush 15 under Nepali Bikram Sambat Calendar. Poush 15 marks the end of winter and start of spring that also brings warmness and charm to Tamu Lhosar. Gurungs all across the world celebrate Tamu Lhosar by organizing rallies in traditional attires (पोशाक, वस्त्र) and cultural programs. They also visit Buddhist shrine on that day. The days in Lhosar and the events are the opportunities to Nepal traveler to witness cultural heritages of the Gurung community.
Gurung community mainly celebrates five festivals. Poush 15 (Lhosar - New Year), Manghi Parva, Mhetalhe Lhiba (Archery), Thon Thein (Pooja to protect Village) and Baishakh Purnima (Budhha Jayanti) are the major festivals that are celebrated by Gurung (Tamu) in Nepal.
Gurung (Tamu)'s Main Festivals:↴
पहिलो चाड: पुष-१५ (ल्होसार (नयाँ वर्ष),Gurung (Tamu) are indigenous inhabitants of west-central parts of Nepal and some live east of Kathmandu. There are numerous clans and sub-clans of gurungs {Read This → Clans & Sub-clans Of Gurung (Tamu)}, the members of which are all well known for their bravery and cultural wealth. Their warm welcome and hospitality at the Lhosar celebration were evident from the plates with Sel Roti (Nepali Bread) and Achar (Nepali Pickles) being served in the festivals.
दोस्रो चाड: माँङी पर्व / माघे सक्रान्ति (चेलीबेटी लाई मानाचामल दिने),
तेस्रो चाड: म्येत्हलेँ ल्हिब (धनुषाबाण हान्ने),
चौथो चाड: ट्हों त्हेँ (गाउँ रक्षा पुजा),
पाँचौ चाड: बैशाख चन्डी पुर्णे/बायो पुजा (अर्घौं (पै) गर्न बाँकीको आत्मालाई पुज्ने दिन)।
Gurung men wear Bhangra (à¤ाङ्ग्रा), a white cloth shirt-like apparel tied across the chest and open like a bag at the back (for carrying things), Bhoto (à¤ोटो) and a Kachhad (Faki-फकी), like a short sarong or kilt. Gurung women, both children and adolescents, were seen in their maroon velvet Ghalek (blouses), enhanced by large gold earrings and semi-precious stone necklaces. Sometimes stalls selling varieties of delicacies (व्यञ्जनहरु) are set up by people from different areas, families or individuals in the common gathering place to celebrate Lhosar. Good mood food, good company and awesome music are the essence of good times. People in small and large groups sat on the ground enjoying delicious Gurung dishes. People perform traditional and cultural dancing. Home-made raksi (alcohol) are also being served. Government of Nepal has recently cut-off 22 public holidays on the year 2075 and Tamu Lhosar is one of them but has provided the holiday only for Gurung Community people to celebrate Lhosar 'New Year'. Gurungs are very rich in tradition and culture. Rodhighar, Chudka, Sorathi, Ghantu and Dohori are some of the wonderful contribution of Gurung culture to Nepal. Gurungs have their own language, cultural festivals, rituals, traditions, but are consistence with Nepali culture and values. It is playing a great role in Nepal's economic and cultural development. Therefore, I like it and it's celebrations as they are typical. By the study of this culture we can learn originality, simplicity and helpful life with mutual co-operation and brotherlihood.
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