Identity means state of being identical or absolute sameness or exact likeness. Due to identity only we can be recognized among others in this world. It helps each and every people of the world to be recognized among others as who they are. Today we are known for bravery in the world due to our brave warriors like Amar Singh Thapa,Bhakti Thapa, Balbhadra Kunwar,Ranbir Singh Thapa, Ujar Singh Thapa etc. who even sacrificed their life for their country. There are many factors due to which we are identified as Nepalese people in the world. Some of the factors which have shaped our identity as Nepalese people are national, cultural, social, and religious factors. Besides, brave ancestors, we are also identified in the midst of the world as nepali due to kingship, national language, religious tolerance, national symbol, our unique tradition, our unique nature, birthplace of famous people, unique geographical features and unity in diversity. These symbols of identity help us to march forward in the midst of different people to prove our potentialities. We have been able to introduce ourselves as a ‘Nepali’ in the world due to those symbols of identity. Identity is not gained in a day instead it takes time and is difficult to maintain. Human without identity is useless or simply valueless. We can never develop ourselves until we respect and maintain our identity. Bringing changes in one’s life doesn’t really mean changing the identity. Identity is like a shadow which always walks with us and it is also considered as the soul which never dies.
Nepal is a beautiful country decorated with different colours of various languages. Nepal is made up of five development regions, fourteen zones, seventy-five districts, fifty-eight municipalities and three thousand nine hundred thirteen village development committees including one metropolitan and four sub-metropolitan. There are various people of different castes living in Nepal who speak different languages. Every community have its own mother tongue. There are more than 200 languages being spoken in Nepal. Whatever the language the people may speak, the principal, national and official language of Nepal is Nepali. It is also considered as the local languages because the local people of different communities communicate with each other in Nepali.Except Nepali the other languages spoken in Nepal are Maithili, Newari, Tharu etc. But all the governmental and official documents are presented in Nepali language. Nepali language has become one of our identities as we can express our thoughts and feelings through this language with the other people in the community. It has helped people to come closer and develop understanding among them. Language is like a thread and people are like flowers .So just as thread keeps the flowers together, language lings the people with one another.
Though Nepal is small in size, it is considered as a world in itself. It consists of various customs and traditions, various races of people, various climates and vegetations, customs and traditions. Under one umbrella of kingship these all above varieties are bought up. “Nepal is a garden in which four castes and thirty-six sub castes blossom forth” has being said by King Prithivi Narayan Shah, who is the founder of modern Nepal. King Prithivi Narayan Shah wanted to protect the country from the claws of the British Empire, along with the expansion of Gorhka kingdom. By uniting the small kingdoms into a strong nation, he wanted to foil the evil designs of the British. King Prithivi Narayan Shah had united the whole nation together. Before, at the advent of democratic age, our king exercises limited powers under the constitution. Before he was constitutional monarch. However, the King and the Royal Family were the center of attraction. The people used to respect them and were liked by children also but due to some circumstances which is not possible now. Before King were the symbol of national unity and national integration. Thus, the age of old tradition of kingship was the elements of our identity.
OUR CULTURES AND TRADITIONS
Cultures and traditions are those types of rituals which are followed or celebrated from one generation to another generation. Our lifestyle is guided due to our cultures and tradition only. Some cultures and traditions of certain community are discussed here as examples. Masto tradition of the Mid and Far –Western Development Regions. The Masto tradition is the main identity of the Khas people of Mid and Far-Western Development Region. They regard this tradition as their main deity during Dewali. The Masto tradition provides a unique identity to them. In the Masto tradition they believe that one of the Masto has enter the body of the Dhami and they can do divinie things like putting the hands into boiling oil, breaking an iron chain etc.which might even kill them. Fasting rituals in Awadhi society. Women practice fasting more than men in the Awadhi society. This is due to the belief that if a women keeps a fast her wish will be fulfilled i.e. if an unmarried women keeps a fast, then she will be blessed with an honourable and caring husband and a married women keeps the fast for the long life of her husband and good fortune,well being and prosperity of her family. Marga puja of the Athpariya Rais-The Marga is the main God or Deity of the Athpariya Rais.The Marga is established as a Than and worshipped atleast for three times in a year. If there is a vow, of a worship, Marga Puja can be performed anytime in the year. While performing the Puja, various animals are sacrificed. The Puja’s are performed with great enthusiasm. Culture is the reflection of what people think and what people believe.
Murtikala is defined as making objects of different shapes, sizes and features of glasses, metals, woods, clay, stones, etc. Mutrikala is believed to have started in Nepal from the Lichchhavi period. The sculpture of Baman Tribikram erected by the Lichchhavi King by Man Dev is considered to be the oldest sculpture of Nepal. Likewise the sculptures of Birupakchya and Yakchya are also among the oldest sculptures of Nepal.Sclupture started in the Lichchhavi period and reached to its peak in the Malla Period. It was the golden period of Murtikala due to the advancement made in this sector. The tradition of making statues of metals,stones and wood was very common during the Malla period. Many such sculptures were made in the Kathmandu Valley. Though Murtikala didn’t get much attention in the Shah and Rana period, there are only some statues of Rana Prime Ministers and Shah Kings at different places of Nepal. Therefore, the state of ancient Murtikala in Nepal was pretty good. Malla period is considered as the golden period of Murtikala as this art had reached to the peak in the Malla period. Sculptures built in and around in Changu Narayan Temple, statue of Palanchowk Bhagwati, statue of Bhudanil-kantha, different stones statues and spots are some of the examples of Nepalese Murtikalas. Sculptures are the creativity and imagination of people which are observed in stones, woods,etc.
Bastu means a place of dwelling. Architecture is defined as the art if dealing with a place of dwelling. Just like the art of painting and sculpture, the ancient architecture of Nepal is found to be excellent even from the scientific point of view. In the ancient age, the palaces of Lichchhavi Kings “Mangriha” of Mandev, “Kailashkut Bhawan” of Amshuverma and “Bhadradiwas Bhavan” of Narendradev were renowned. These objects of architecture exists no more. However, palaces, temples, monasteries and stupas built during the medieval age still continue to grace modern age. These architecture are decorated with stone and wood carvings. The tallest temple built during medieval age is the “Nyatapol” meaning five storied temple. In seventeen hundred two A.D.Bhupatindra Malla, King of Bhaktapur established the image of Goddess Laxmi in the temple. Not only in the ancient and medieval age but even till today have Nepali artists been contributing in the field of paintings, sculptures and architecture. Ancient architecture is divided into three categories-“the Pagoda Style” It means the styles of having more than one roofs with a boarder base and gradually narrowing tops. Mangriha of Mandev temple of Changu Narayan, Kailaskut Bhawan of Amshuverma, Bhadradhiwas of Narendradev of ancient times are some of the excellent examples of Nepalese Architecture.The Shikhar style looks like the peak of mountain. The top most part of each structure consists of pinnacle. It is divided into five or nine parts in a vertical manner. Example Krishna Mandir, Janki Mandiretc. Now the Stupa style looks like hillock. It is a shrine with a broad base of its gradual upward narrowing. It does not have any division.Boudhanath,Swayambhunath etc are some of the examples of stupa style.
Our identification is marked due to our National symbols.
1. National Flag-Our National flag consists of two triangular figures with a crimson color base and deep blue boarders. A white moon is imprinted in upper part and the white sun if imprinted in the lower part. The sun and moon in the flag indicates that as long as there is sun and moon in the sky Nepal will exist.
2. National Flower- The rhododendron (Laliguras) is our national flower. Rhododendron is also a source of medicine and people usually keep the flower in the hair to make themselves look attractive.
3. National Color-Crimson (Simrik) is our national color.
4. National Animal-The cow is our national animal. The cow is regarded as god in various culture.It’s products are used to meet various necessity.
5. National Bird- The Lophophorus(Danphe) is our national bird.
6. National Dress- Daura, suruwal, patuka and cap for men; and fariya, chawbandi cholo and majetro for women.In the celebration of national events,people decorate themselves in the national dress.
7. National Anthem-Our previous national anthem was written by Chakrapani Chalise and recent national anthem is written by Bhyakul Maila(Pradeep Kumar Rai) and the music is given by Ambar Gurung
OUR UNIQUE NATURE
Nepal is a peace-loving country and it has signed many peace agreement with other countries. Our country take part in active roles in all international peace-keeping activities. We are the member of international organizations like UNO,NAM,SAARC etc.On the other hand, Nepali soldier are known as the world bravest, most courageous and boldest in war. Many other countries army consists of Nepali soldiers. India, Britain, Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei etc prefer Nepali soldiers to others.Many brave soldier earned their reputation in the different wars of Nepal. They are popularly known as ‘Gurkhas’ in India and Britian. Nepal has been contributing a lot for maintaining peace in the world by sending its army forces to different countries and even to the UNO. Thus, on the other hand, our nation try to avoid wars and bring a peace in the country. So in this way, there are a number of element that gives our identity. We should move forward with our helping hands to preserve our nations and traditions which was established by our ancestors. We know that our economy condition is very poor, but we are rich in culture, tradition and morality. Honesty, truthfulness and sincerity are such quality of our people. We must be proud and we should know one thing that this is the greatest wealth one can achieve in life which are our social norms and values.
BIRTHPLACE OF FAMOUS PEOPLE
Our country Nepal has some world renowned people. During the pre-historic age, saints like Veda Vyasa, Valmiki, and Kanwa use to live there. Veda Vyasa had composed Mahabharat at Vyas Cave in Damauli. Valmiki also spent some time at Bhainsalotan in Nawalparasi and has composed Ramayan. Kanwa Rishi who bought up Shakuntala’s son Bharat and he ruled over it. Our country also is the birthplace of Gautam Buddha. Gautam Buddha was born in Lumbini. Gautam Buddha was the founder of Buddhism and preacher of peace and non-violence in the world. Tenzing was also one person who climb the first Mount Everest. Tenzing was born in Solukhumbhu district. Along with Tenzing Edmund Hillary of New Zealand also climbed it. King Tsrong Sang Gampo of Tibet who spread Buddhism and Nepali culture in Tibet and China. Similarly, Arniko, was the first Nepali artist and architect, who was sent to Tibet and China to built several Nepali structures there. Thus, there are number of people who are gained world-wide popularity in different areas, were born in Nepal. Nepal and all the Nepalese are proud of them.
UNITY IN DIVERSITY
People having common aspirations and are united by a bond of allegiance to our national independence, integrity, national interest and prosperity. Nepal is a multiracial,multilingual,multi-religious and multi-cultural country. The people living in Nepal belongs to many castes, ethenic groups, religion, race, languages, communities and follow different cultures. Some people are Buddhists where some are Hindu, some are Rais, some are Limbu, and some are Newars while some are magars but we all are united under one flag. We may be different of various factors but we are united by a bond of allegiance to national integrity and prosperity. There is unity in diversity in Nepal. Unity means being one or means varieties or difference on the basic of factors. Nepalese people belong to different religion, have different language, follow different culture but are unified under one Nepali flag. We have 4 castes and 36 sub-castes but we tried to maintain our diversity. It forces the state to terminate any law that results to discrimination. The state is also adopting policies to provide equal opportunities to women, suppressed native and ethnic groups, madhesis, Muslims, kamaiyas, physically challenged, etc on the basis of poisitive discrimination. So, priority must be given equally to every languages and religion to maintain diversity. All of us love our mother Nepal and we all try our best to develop our Nepal and promote peace and stability in it. Therefore, we can say that there is unity in diversity in Nepal.