Title(of programme, movie etc.): Globe Trekker: Nepal

Source(radio; tv etc.): TV

Category (documentary; movie; lyrics etc.): Documentary

Subject-matter: Nepal

Date: 03-01-2003

Time spent on listening: 100 minuten

Your opinion about what you listened to:
It was a interesting documentary with lots of different aspects of Nepal. It was sometimes hard to understand, but I could understand most of what was said.

Summary:

Newars have lived in the Nepal Valley since the 4th century. Later the Gurkha was established by RAJPUT warriors from India, and in 1769 they conquered lands beyond the present-day borders of Nepal. After invading into northern India in which the Gurkhas were defeated. Nepal lost part of its territory to British India but retained its independence.

The Newars lived in the valley at the time known as Nepal, which has lent it’s name to the country Nepal.
The link between the valley and the country also reflected in the fact that the modern national language ‘Nepali’ is known as Nepal Bharsa and in Newari it’s known as Nepal Bhaye, both mean language of Nepal.

The importance of food in the Newari culture is apparent. For instance, if you greet someone you say: Ja naye dwuno la? Which means: have You had Your rice? And you reply with: dwuno (completed) or madwunu (not completed).

The Newar houses generally have at least three stories. The floors of the houses have different degrees of sanctity. The bottom floor is generally occupied by storage rooms, stables, or by a shop. The first and, if there is one, second floor, have sleeping rooms and in wealthy family’s living rooms. This room is sacred and one never enters it with shoes or any objects of leather.