THE DIFFERENT CULTURES
(Magar, Rai, Gurung, Newari)
MAGAR CULTURE
The Magar community has their own cultural dresses which they wear during special occasions like ceremonies, parties, and festivals. Magar females wear the phariya (lungi) with different printed designs of flowers or other embellishments with closed blue blouses or cholo. Then, they bind a heavy cloth in their waist called Patuka. They wear Ghalek binding on the shoulder (covers half of the body with different printed pictures like rhododendron, etc). To complete this outfit, women typically wear hair ornaments and traditional jewelry – selected from an array of ear and nose ornaments, necklaces made of silver coins or beads, and bangles of glass or gold. The women in the Magar culture wear such bright and colorful outfits w/ gorgeous jewelry embellishments because their distinct attire expresses their indigenous identity while enhancing their appearance and making them look gorgeous.
RAI CULTURE
Rai people are a group of indigenous ethnicity mostly found in the hilly regions of Nepal. They are also being founded since ancient times in the Indian part of Darjeeling. They speak their native language mostly Nepali and Kirati. The Rai people have similar styles to the Magar people. The only variations are the colors that are used: they have brighter colors. The reason why is because they also see colors that are vibrant as beautiful and attention-seeking (in a good way).
GURUNG CULTURE
The Gurung people are known as the indigenous people who reside on the foothills of Annapurna, Machhapuchhre mountain range. They travel alongside the mountain base to herd the bulls and cows. They are also self-sufficient, so they try to grow as much food and cultivate in their own essential resources. Their clothing styles are formed based on geography in the Machhapuchhre mountain range. Traditional Gurung men’s clothing consists of a blouse (bhoto) tied with laces on the front of the body and a garment in the shape of a “jama” (skirt) that wraps the waist up to the center of the thigh. A long piece of cloth is tied around the waist like a belt (in which a khukuri can slide). The typical Nepalese cap (topī) completes the dress. A woolen blanket is utilized during the time of winter or in wet weather to keep the wearer warm and dry. Western-style clothes are commonly worn by younger generations, particularly by young people who have served in the military. The Gurung women wear a blouse which is called as cholo in their language that is tied on the front, over a long pleated skirt called phariyā, which is usually dark red. A band is wrapped around the waist and a head cloth completes the outfit.
NEWARI CULTURE
Newars are the original inhabitants of Kathmandu valley. Even though they are scattered all over Nepal, they are primarily from Kathmandu Valley. Newari People are commonly known as businessmen. Newars are people from among the larger Tibeto-Burman language group and speak Newari. Haku Patasi (black sari) is from the Newari Culture. They have their own distinct culture, tradition, and costumes. During Newai Jatra (a feast) or any of their traditional holidays, the Newari people have specific traditional clothing they wear to the events. Women typically wear the Haku Patasi: a usually heavier black sari with a red border. It is typically worn without a petticoat (skirt worn inside the sari). The sari is worn from the waist to the calves. The patuka (usually called Janai) is a white long piece of cloth that is wrapped around the waist< usually 18 feet long. A full-sleeved blouse (as the top) is tied at four different corners usually called chaubandi cholo in Nepali and Thana tagu kapoya lan is worn as top above the Patasi. Above it, a shawl or Haku gacha is worn.