Bahra (Girls)

After the ihi or the bael byah, next come the Bahra, a traditional rituals confinement of a girl before the onset of menstruation. This ritual is done when a girl enters her youth. A girl after having undergone ihi is kept separated from all makes and from sunlight for 12 days. She has to stay in a dark room. On the 12th day the girl is purified and the function ends with a Bhoj (traditional newari meal where all family members are present).

These rituals are of two types, Bahra tyagu and Bahra chauneygu. The first ritual is performed before the start of menses. This is done between the age of five and 13. More then one girl can follow the ritual but in case of Bahra Chauneygu, only one girl has to undergo.

In both occasion a cave of cloths, Bahra Khayak is made and worshiped. It is believed that the girl is under the evil possession. A separate meal for the khayak is taken out from the meal of the caved girl. Salt is not used in any of the meal and the girl is entertained with folk songs and dance performed by her friends. For all the 12 days thakali naki, worships the Khyak and will do all the girl work. She is the medium between the girl and her family.

Till the 11 days the family members are considered impure but the married sisters cannot be counted. On the 6th day, particular kerosene oil is provided by the paju (Mama) that is put on the face by the women in the family and finally putting it on the hair of the girl just ending the consumption of salts.

It is only after the 11 days the girl is considered as pure and holy. It is known as Nishi Yayagu. Then the girl pays homage to the sun god. She will be bathed and will be blind folded. She is then taken to the open space to have a Surya Darshan. During these rituals, thakali naki performs the major role. She first worships the Ganesha and sun god. Fistful wheat seed and rice is given to the girl that she throws backward. This is done for three times. Sindoor is put on the forehead of the girl and new dress is presented. The girl now can wear a sari, she is considered as women. In respect to the seniority everyone bless the girl with a tika, made of pitho and oil. The girl is then given Sagun (newari prasad), first to the ancestral deity, then to other family members.

Each family member now considers that the girl is not mere child but has now become an adolescent. Her introduction to menstruation is expected and after the bhoj the rituals end.

Rituals Ihi (Girls)

The most peculiar ritual followed among newar girl is ihi (also ehee). Also known as bael byah, it is a symbolic marriage with a bael (Aegle mermalous) fruit. This ritual is done among the girl between the ages of four to eleven before reaching the period of puberty, where they are married to lord Shiva that the fruit is kept in his place. Newar community has invaded outside Nepal where the traditions are somewhat lost but still it is found in every newar house that the Bael byah have been made. This customary marriage is thought to be the most holy rituals in this noble clan. With this marriage to the immortal lord the newar girl will not follow widowhood when their husband passes away. It is believed that even remarriage can be done.

नेपाली संगीत साधन

Dhimay is one of the most precious Newari cultural musical instruments. It is played in special ceremonies and festivals, like Indrajatra, Dashain, Tihar, Holi, etc. It is an ancient musical instrument which was played by famous Hindu gods like Mahadev, Bhairav, Harati Mata, Naasha Dyo, etc.

It is said that gods play Dhimay whenever they are happy. It was especially played by Mahadev. Dhimay are made of steel and animal skin. Dhimay are often made of wood and animal skin. There is a belt attached to Dhimay that is kept around the right arm of the player.Only Newari people are trained to paly Dhimay, especially Jyapu (farmer where “Jya” means work and “apu” means easy) group are trained to play Dhimay. Mainly Dhimay is practiced in Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Lalitpur. These days, Dhimay is especially trained to the children who are of 11 to 12 years of age to the different parts of the city. Not only boys but girls are also encouraged to play it in this modern world. In the old ages, girls weren’t allowed to play it.
There are basically two types of Dhimay:

1. Thulo or Big Dhimay
2. Sano or Small Dhimay

Thulo Dhimay is big and heavy, which is played very slowly. It is played in special festivals and ceremonies whereas Sano Dhimay is small and may be light or heavy. The Sano Dhimay is usually played in very fast beat. It is played in special Jatras (festivals) like Indrajatra, Ghodejatra, Bisketjatra, etc.

Since it is the instrument of the Newars it is trained in Nepal Bhasa language only and the beats and sounds are pronounced as Nepal Bhasa too. Dhimay training is usually of one year’s duration. The instrument Dhimay really has been one of the precious trademarks of the Newars.

हस्तकला र थांकाहरू

A Taste of Nepal

What’s visiting Nepal if you don’t try some local food? So go out and titillate your tongue. Here’s a typical menu and have a delicious time.

Dal-Bhat-Tarkari - this is the main staple of Nepali people all over the country

appetizers/snacks

Chatanmari - Rice flour pizza with meat or egg topping or plain. A just reward after a hard day’s sight-seeing.

Chhoyla - Roasted meat diced and spiced, a versatile snack. Chomp it with flattened rice and wash everything down with homemade liquor.

Gundruk-ko Jhol - A soup of dried and fermented green vegetables. Slightly sour, slightly tangy, it’ll have you smacking your lips.

Kwati - Soup of different sprouted beans. A festival specialty and great way to begin dinner.

Momo-cha - Dumplings filled with minced meat, served steamed or fried. Terrifically popular appetizer, afternoon snack or evening meal. Do you know how to make Momo-cha? Learn more...

Samay Baji - A ritual dish consisting of flattened rice, roasted meat, smoked fish, boiled egg, black soybeans and diced ginger.

Sekuwa - Barbecued meat. Mutton, duck, chicken, buff, wild boar - take your pick. Goes famously with drinks.

Sukuti - Hot and spicy concoction of dried meat roasted over a charcoal fire. Something to munch on between sips.

Tama-ko Jhol - Hot and sour soup of bamboo shoots.

Tawkhaa - Jellied meat curry served cold. With a plate of Tawkhaa and a glass of wine by your side, who needs a festival?

Wo - Lentil flour patty with or without meat/egg topping. As a festival snack or an afternoon bite, nothing even comes close.

main dishes

Alo Tamao - Bamboo shoot and potato curry enlivened with a variety of spices and herbs.

Beans - A curry preparation of large and small beans to go with the main course of rice.

Dal - Lentil soup eaten with plain rice and one-third of the famous dal-bhat-tarkari combination. Popular lentils are the black, green and yellow varieties.

Green Vegetables - Spinach, mustard greens or broad-leaved mustard. A standard accompaniment to plain rice for lunch or dinner.

Meat Curries - Curried meat with lots of spices and gravy served with the main course of rice. Comes in buff, mutton, chicken or fish varieties.

Bhat (Plain Rice) - Good old boiled rice, the staple Nepalese nourishment and the central ingredient of the dal-bhat-tarkari diet.

Tarkari - vegetable curry in a rich spicy broth, the third element of the dal-bhat-tarkari staple meal.

relishes

Achar - A pickle to ‘‘brighten up your mouth". Can be made of ground tomatoes, sliced radish, ground coriander, boiled and diced potatoes and other ingredients.

Gundruk - Dried and fermented green vegetables. Legendary accompaniment to meals in the hills of Nepal.

Sanya Khuna - Jellied fish soup served cold. Spicy, hot and tangy. Terrific accompaniment to rice.

desserts

Juju Dhau - Delicious creamy curd from Bhaktapur, a must at all feasts. Juju Dhau literally means ‘‘king curd".

Sikarni - Yogurt preparation mixed with dried fruits. Sweet way to end dinner.

homemade drinks

Rakshi or Ayla is fire water distilled from rice. It is colorless and best drunk neat. Thon, the milky white juice of fermented rice, is the driving force behind many festivals in Kathmandu. The Tibetan version is called Chhyang. Tongba is a popular energizer in the hills. It is made by pouring hot water into a pot of fermented millet and drunk with a bamboo straw.

Would you like to provide ethnic Nepalese Cuisine Recipes on this page to help others learn more about Nepalese food? Submit Recipe.

Newari Cuisine


Newar Cuisine is a type of cuisine developed over centuries by the Newars of Nepal. The Newar or Newah are the indigenous group of Nepals Kathmandu valley. ...
Contents

* 1 Types
o 1.1 Vegetarian
o 1.2 Nonvegetarian
o 1.3 Alcohol and derivatives
o 1.4 Beverages and Soups
o 1.5 Sweets

Types:

Vegetarian

* Baji (Beaten Rice)
* Jaa (Boiled Rice)
* Chataamari (rice flour crepe)
* Baaraa (lentil based fried "donuts"; spicy and salty)
* Waaunchha (greens)
* Paauncha (sour berry soup)
* Chasumicha (type of spinach)
* Bhuti (black-eyed peas)
* Dhau (yogurt)
* Puri (flattened bread)
* Kani (corn)
* Musya (soybeans)
* Alu achaar (spicy potato salad)
* Wo (lentil based flattened cake; spicy and salty)
* Kehn (boiled lentils)
* Quanti (nine bean soup)
* Guara Mari (Fried dough, similar to elephant ears)
* Tushi Achar (Spicy cucumber salad)
* Golbheda Achar (Spicy tomato salad)
* Laba (fried garlic greens)
* Phashi (pumpkin)

Baji(Nepal Bhasa: बजि, Nepali: ) is a type of beaten rice eaten in Nepal. ... JAA is an abbreviation for: Japan Asia Airways the Joint Aviation Authorities of Europe This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... Chataamari is a kind of rice crepe. ... Dhau Dhau (Nepal Bhasa:धौ) is a type of curd prepared by Newars. ...
Nonvegetarian

The Newars are one of the rare ethnic groups of South Asia that eat water buffalo. The meat of water buffaloes is predominant in Newar Cuisine, but avoided by Pahari Hindus because of the similarity to beef, which is prohibited. For the controversy at the University of Pennsylvania, see Water buffalo incident. ... Selected ethnic groups of Nepal; Bhotia, Sherpa, Thakali Gurung Kiranti, Rai, Limbu Newari Pahari Tamang Pahari (or Pahaari) is a general terms for a range of dialects spoken across the Himalayan range, not limited to a single country in the subcontinent. ...

* Chwelaa (marinated and roasted meat)
* Kachilaa (marinated raw minced meat)
* Sanyaa (dried fish)
* Khen (egg)
* Sanyaakhuna (jellied fish soup)
* Takhaa (jellied buffalo soup)
* Dukula (goat meat)
* Henyla (duck)
* Khayula (chicken)
* Ja(n)la
* Momocha (potstickers,usually buffalo. There is also a sweet version made of solidified and sweetened cream )
* So-laa (battered and fried goat lung)
* Knyaa (fish)
* Sapumhichha (liquid bone marrow encased in stomach lining)
* Mee-kwa (fenugreek sprouts and small peas)
* Nhyapu (brains, usually fried)
* Meh(n) (boiled tongue, usually fried)
* Cho-hi (steamed buffalo blood with marrow and spices)
* Pukala ( fried meat )
* Sukula ( dried meat,jerky )
* Kwa Ghasa ( thick broth from leftover meats and vegetables;has a distinct smell and taste)

Chwelaa is a special type of water buffalo delicacy of Newars. ... Kachilaa is a special meat delicacy of Newars, consisting of marinated raw minced water buffalo meat. ... Sanyaa is a special type of dried fish prepared by the Newars. ...
Alcohol and derivatives

* Ayelaa (Hard liquor most commonly made out of rice. High alcohol content)
* Thwon (Rice Beer; very sweet to sour in taste)
* Hyaun Thwon (similar to red wine; light)

Thwon (Nepal Bhasa:थ�वं) is a type of alcoholic beverage. ...
Beverages and Soups

* La (water)
* Duru (milk)
* Ken ( Lentils; black, yellow and red)
* Lai Kwa
* Pau Kwa
* Mee Kwa
* Chhon (Spicy Bamboo soup)

Sweets

* Anarsaa
* Ayantha-mari
* Barfi
* Jeri
* Laddu
* Lakhamari
* Lalmohan
* Maalpuwaa
* Nimki
* Rasbhari
* Roth
* Sel
* Swaari
* Haluwa
* Puri
* Pyara
* Khajuri
* Gundpakh

Nepal Sambat

Nepal Sambat (Nepal Bhasa: नेपाल सम्बत) is a lunar calendar. It was initiated by Sankhar Sakhwa to commemorate the pay back of all the debts of Nepalese people. Newari redirects here. ... It has been suggested that lunar year be merged into this article or section. ... For other uses, see Debt (disambiguation). ...

Description

This is a lunar calendar. It consists of 354 days per year and an added one month every third year.¹

History

This calendar was the national calendar of Nepal in Malla and early Shah era. It was replaced by Bikram Sambat as the national calendar. However, the calendar is still in use owing to the fact that most of the Nepalese festival s are celebrated according to the calendar. Bikram Sambat (abbreviated B.S.) is the official calendar of Nepal. ... The 2006 Sinulog festival in the Philippines Renaissance festival A festival or fest is an event, usually staged by a local community, which centers on some theme, sometimes on some unique aspect of the community. ...

Invention

According to local legends, a citizen of Kathmandu named Sankhadhar Sakhwa paid off the debts of all the people in Nepal. To commemorate the event, a new era was established.

Months of the year

The months of the year are² :-

Devanagari Roman script Corresponding Gregorian month
कछला Kachha lā November
थिंला Thin lā December
पोहेला Pohe lā January
सिल्ला Sil lā February
चिल्ला Chil lā March
चौला Chau lā April
बछला Bachha lā May
तछला Tachha lā June
दिल्ला Dil lā July
गुंला Goon lā August
ञला Yen lā September
कौला Kau lā October