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Theculture of Nepal encompasses the various cultures belonging to the 125 distinctethnic groups present inNepal.[1] The culture of Nepal is expressed throughmusic anddance;art andcraft;folklore;languages andliterature;philosophy andreligion;festivals andcelebration;foods anddrinks.
Legends state thatdances in this country originated in the abode of Lord Shiva — theHimalayas, where he performed thetandava dance.[2] This indicates that dance traditions of Nepal are very ancient and unique. With altitudes and ethnicity, the dances of Nepal slightly change in style as well as in thecostumes. The Dishka, a dance performed at weddings, includes intricate footwork and arm movements.[3] Accompanying music and musical instruments change in tune with the themes, which revolve around topics like harvesting of crops, marriage rites, war stories,love, and several other themes and stories from everyday life in the villages. The Tharu stick dances and the peacock dance are also performed.[4]
As many as 123 languages are spoken in Nepal according tothe 2011 census. Most of them belong to either theIndo-Aryan or theTibeto-Burman language families. The major languages of the country (percent spoken as mother tongue) areNepali (44.6%),Maithili (11.7%),Bhojpuri(6%),Tharu (5.8%),Tamang (5.1%),Nepal Bhasa (3.2%),Magar (3%) andBajjika (3%), andDoteli (3%).[5]
Nepali, written inDevanagari script, is the official national language and serves aslingua franca among Nepalese ethnolinguistic groups.
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The 2011 census identified 81.6% of the population beingHindu.Buddhism was practiced by about 9% of the population. About 4.2% practiceIslam and 3.6% follow the indigenousKirant religion.Christianity is practiced officially by less than 1.0% of the population.
Hindu and Buddhist traditions in Nepal go back more than twomillennia. InLumbini, Buddha was born, andPashupatinath temple, Kathmandu, is an old and famousShiva temple of Hindus. Nepal has several othertemples and Buddhistmonasteries, as well as places of worship of other religious groups. Traditionally, Nepalesephilosophical thoughts are ingrained with the Hindu and Buddhist philosophical ethos and traditions, which include elements ofKashmir Shaivism, Nyingma school ofTibetan Buddhism, works of Karmacharyas of Bhaktapur, and tantric traditions.Tantric traditions are deep-rooted in Nepal, including the practice of animal sacrifices. Five types of animals, always male, are considered acceptable for sacrifice:water buffalo,goats,sheep,chickens, andducks. Cows are very sacred animals and are never considered acceptable for sacrifice .
Several of thefestivals of Nepal[6] last from one to several days. As a predominantly Hindu and Buddhist nation, most of the Nepalese festivals are religious ones. The festivals of Nepal have their roots inHinduism as more than 80% of the population of the country is Hindu.Buddhism, the second-largest religion of the nation which accounts for 9% of the population, has influenced the cultural festivals of Nepal.Dashain orVijaya Dashami is the longest and the most important festival of Nepal. Generally, Dashain falls in late September to mid-October, right after the end of themonsoon season. It is "a day of Victory over Demons". TheNewars celebrate the festival asMohani,Tihar orDipawali,Holi,Saraswati Puja,Rakshabandhan,Janmashtami, Gai Jatra, Nag Panchami,Teej,Chhath,Kartik Poornima,Maghe Sankranti, orMakar Sankranti,Maha Shivratri andChhechu are widely celebrated important festivals of Nepal. New Year's Day of the lunar calendarNepal Sambat occurs in November. Several Jatras take place throughout the year and public holidays are declared in some regions.
Other important festivals includeBuddha Purnima (the celebration of the birth of Buddha)[7]Maha Shivaratri (a festival ofLord Shiva) and duringMaha Shivaratri festivities, some people consume excessivedrinks and smokecharas.[8]Sherpas, mostly located at higher altitudes and in theMount Everest region, celebrateMani Rimdu, forthe good of the world.
Most festivals include dancing and music, and a variety of special foods are consumed during festivals and on special occasions.
TheSagan ceremony is the ritualized presentation of five food items (boiled egg, smoked fish, meat, lentil cake and rice wine) to a person which is done to bring good fortune as perTantric tradition.
Nepal Sampada Sangha (Nepal Heritage Society) has compiled an inventory of 1,262 significant architectural and archeological sites in Nepal outsideKathmandu Valley.[9]
The government declared volleyball as thenational game of the country. Before it used to bedandi biyo.
A Cabinet meeting held at the Prime MinisterPushpa Kamal Dahal's residence in Baluwatar took the decision. TheMinistry of Youth and Sports had put the proposal to declare volleyball as the national game.Nepal Volleyball Association had been demanding that the sport, which is played in all 75 districts of the country, should be the national game.
National Sports Council's former Member Secretary Yubaraj Lama had initiated the process of deciding the national game, while the current Member Secretary Keshab Kumar Bista had recommended for the national game.[10]
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