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Which project do you think is the most important for the development of a place like Humla?
 
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The Magars live in the western and central hills of Nepal. They had their own kingdoms until the 18th century and were closely associated with the Hindu Indo-Aryans in the west. Much of their cultural practices have been influenced by Chhetris, and today it is difficult to make any difference in the housing, dressing and farming practices of the two. The Magars have been sought after by the British and Indian armies and a great number serve in the Gurkha regiments.
Another ethnic group closely resembling the Magars in many aspects are the Gurungs. They also live in the western and central hills of the country although further to the east. Of Tibeto-Burman stock, the Gurungs have their own distinct language and practice shamanism. Many find employment in the British and Indian armies.
The Khas are the Bahuns and Chhetris who formed their own kingdoms in the far-west. They are Hindus, and Nepali, which is the country's official language, was originally spoken by the Khas. Traditionally, the Bahuns were priests and are better educated than most ethnic groups. In fact, many occupy important government and educational posts in the kingdom today. The Chhetris have traditionally been known as warriors. Those living in the higher kills in the far western region lead hard lives because of lack of rain and farming is practiced in the river valleys and on the hill flanks.

The Tharus are one of the original ethnic groups to inhabit the Terai. The Majhi, Danuwar, Rajbansi, Darai, Satar, and Dhimal also occupy the flat lands. The Tharus have their own unique religion and practice animism. Their culture is especially suited for the hot plains and they are actually immune to malaria. They have Mongoloid features and speak their own language. There is much migration going on in the country now and the cultural definition of the people by area is difficult. Urban population is increasing by 7% each year and most cultures have intermingled.

Demographic / Vital Statistics: Density; 131.7 persons per sq km (341.0 persons per sq mi) (1991). Urban-Rural; 9.6% urban, 90.4% rural (1990). Sex Distribution; 51.7% male, 48.3% female (1990). Life Expectancy at Birth; All over Nepal 55.4 years male, 52.6 years female (1990). 46 years male, 42 years female. Age Breakdown; 0-14 years: 41% / 15-64 years: 55% / 65 years and over: 4% (1999 est.) Birth Rate; 38.0 per 1,000 (1993). Death Rate; 13.0 per 1,000 (1993). Population growth rate: 2.51% (1999 est.). Infant Mortality Rate; 90 per 1,000 live births (1999 est.). Total fertility rate: 4.78 children born/woman (1999 est.).

Location & Geography: Nepal is located among the southern slopes of the Himalayan Mountains in South Central Asia. It is bound by China to the north and India to the east, west and south. The country is divided into three main topographical regions. (1.) The high mountains of the main Himalayan Range, which include Mt. Everest, Mt. Lhotse and Mt. Makalu. (2.) Kathmandu Valley which is a circular basin enclosed by tertiary ranges known as the Siwalik Hills. (3.) The Tarai, which is a narrow flat belt of alluvial land that extends along the southern border with India. The principal rivers are the Kosi, Narayani or Gandak and Karnali Gogra. Major Cities (pop. est.); Kathmandu 419,100, Biratnagar 130,100, Lalitpur 117,200, Pokhara 95,300, Bhaktapur 68,800 (1991). Land Use; forested 39%, pastures 15%, agricultural-cultivated 17%, other 29% (1992).

Languages: Official language: Nepali, the first language of 55% of the population and widely spoken by the remainder. There are 71 languages spoken in the country of Nepal.

Religion: Hindu 89%, Buddhist 7%, Muslim 3 %, Christian 0.6 %, other 0.4 %. Nepal has been the only Hindu kingdom in the world until May 18 2006. On May 19, 2006, Nepal becomes a secular state. Hindu Temples and Buddhist Shrines are scattered all over the mountains and valleys that make up the geographical shape of the state. Nepalese are generally religious, family oriented, and modest. Misfortune and fortune are widely accepted as the will of fate or karma (the force generated by one’s actions that determines one’s next incarnation). Time is thought of more as a series of events or tied to seasons than as a matter of minutes and hours. The majority of the people believe to some extent that bhoot (ghost), pret (evil spirit), boksi (witches), and graha dasha ( a bad position of the planets) can cause disease in people and livestock, crop failures, or accidents. Incense, flowers, and food are offered to pacify the spirits and planets. A rooster or male goat may also be sacrificed. Caste consciousness pervades this predominantly hindu society and deeply affects the way people behave towards each other. Historically, hinduism organized society into four social castes: Brahman (priests), Kshatriya (nobles and warriors), Vaisya (traders and farmers), and Sudra (servants), but these groups subdivided into thousands of castes and subcastes. In Humla people follow mainly two religious beliefs. Shamanism (a mixture of Hinduism, Animism and witch craft), and Tibetan Buddhism (immigrants from Mugu and Tibet). In each village "Dhamis" and "Jhankris" (witch doctors) are consulted as local healers and sorcerers. Nepal is the birth place of Buddha (Lumbini), the founder of Buddhism. There is a complex blending of Hinduism and Buddhism in Nepal.