To find out how the younger generations perceive the cultural aspects of it, Republica sat down with Ashesh Khadka, 22, who is currently doing his Bachelor’s at Tri-Chandra College; Diwakar Rai, 18, who recently completed his +2 from Kathmandu Model College; Madhav Rasyara, 24, a Master’s graduate from Tribhuvan University; and Sriza Manandhar, 25, who works for RBC Management.[break]
What do you think about the non-Nepali festivals being celebrated in Nepal by Nepalis? Do you and your family celebrate them?
Ashesh: I think it’s a good practice as it depicts our tolerance and respect for other cultures and their practices. Yes, both I and my family celebrate these foreign holidays. My mom and dad do it by hosting get togethers at home, and I do it by partying with my friends. It’s just an excuse for us to come together and spend some quality time.
Diwakar: Nepalis should definitely celebrate the non- Nepali festivals for it promotes peace and acceptance in the society where there are people from diverse cultures and religions. I celebrate foreign holidays, but my family doesn’t. I do it by hanging out with my friends with a constant reminder from my mother that we should adhere to our festivals, not the others.
Sriza: I think it’s okay as long as people wish to. None of us celebrate these festivals. My family doesn’t as they’re not touched by westernization and I don’t because I don’t have many friends. I would love to if I had people to celebrate it with, though.
Madhav: Since Nepal is a secular nation, people have the freedom of choice, so I don’t see any harm in us celebrating foreign festivals. I do celebrate these festivities along with my family by cooking delicious delicacies at home and taking a ride to the different parts of the country.
Do you think people understand why those festivals (Christmas, English New Year, Thanksgiving, St. Patrick’s Day) are being celebrated in the country of their origin? Which festival do you prefer, Nepali or western?
Ashesh: Well, I don’t think people understand the authenticity, but we make ourselves a part of it nonetheless. Taking about myself, I think people celebrate Christmas to rejoice the birth of Jesus and Valentine’s Day is the day of expressing your love to the girl you have an eye on all year long.
Of course, I prefer the Nepali festivals over the western ones. I celebrate western festivals because the influence has touched me, but Nepali ones define who I am.
Diwakar: I am skeptic about Nepalis understanding the true values of these festivities and I am myself naïve about it.
I understand Christmas as commemorating the birth of Christ, New Year a new start where they let go of the past and begin a new life, Valentine’s Day, the day of approaching girls, and I don’t understand Thanksgiving and St. Patrick’s Day. Nepali festivals over western any day, as they have different vibes and we actually understand the beauty of it.
Sriza: I have a doubt that people understand the essence of these festivals, me being a part of it. We’ve been touched by foreign festivities because of what we see on TV and what goes in the Valley. It’s the projection that draws us to it, but contrarily, Nepali festivals are what we truly believe and have our faith in. Hence, I would happily go with Nepali festivals.
Madhav: I don’t think many people actually understand the core values of the western festivals, but they have a general idea as to why it’s marked.
In my case, I think Valentine’s Day is celebrated as a tribute to Valentine, a guy who loved people wholeheartedly, Christmas to celebrate the birth of Christ, New Year, where all the new resolutions and plans take over and I don’t have an idea on Thanksgiving and St. Patrick’s Day. Nepali festival anyday as it reflects my true identity.
How would you feel if other countries celebrated Nepali festivals (like Dashain and Tihar) with a rich meaning for us in a diluted way which has lost the essence of our celebration?
Ashesh: It gives me immense pride when I see foreigners celebrating our festivals, but I want them to worship God and understand the importance of it rather than just putting on a red tika and hosting parties in their houses.
Diwakar: My nose swells with joy on seeing people from abroad celebrating our festivals. However, like Ashesh said, along with the flashy lights and decorations and firecrackers, I want them to show some respect to the holy gods and goddesses who are the actual reason why the festival is being marked.
Sriza: Who wouldn’t feel good on seeing the non-Nepalis following our traditions? But like my friends pointed out, I want them to take the holy aspects of it so that they can unlock their cultural horizon rather than just boozing and celebrating in the name of following a culture.
Madhav: It feels great to see our culture being promoted in nations that are more powerful than us. Nevertheless, they should not do it in an offensive way, taking only the glamorous parts of it.
Have you ever celebrated festivals like Eid, Chhat, Lhosar although they’re not yours, but because they are celebrated in Nepal?
Ashesh: Yes, I am not only open to western culture, but also the eastern ones. I have Muslim friends who invite me over to their places during Eid and we dine together. Similarly, many loved ones from Terai bring different varieties of sweets for me during Chhat.
Diwakar: I wouldn’t prejudice these festivities because it will be unfair and bring disharmony in society. I make myself a part of it by attending the invitations that I receive from my friends who celebrate it and also by greeting those people “Eid Mubarak!” or “Happy Lhosar!” and also receiving their greetings.
Sriza: Like I said before, I would love to open up to different cultures and traditions. But since I don’t have many friends, I don’t like doing something alone. So I am just indifferent to them.
Madhav: I definitely celebrate these festivals with my friends trying out new cuisines and confectionaries, usually at some peaceful restaurant. People think that these festivities are undermined, but it’s not true. They’re just not as sensationalized as the western ones which results in information failure.
In a nutshell, how do all these things reflect upon us Nepalis?
Ashesh: Uhm ... I think globalization has given people ample opportunities as they’re unlocking themselves to different cultures and traditions. We should definitely embrace it.
What is happening today is people are partying and fooling around in the name of celebrating the festival but forgetting to honor its core values and norms. Be open to all the cultures, but please don’t do it in a way that offends their original followers.
Diwakar: Globalization has been a boon to our narrow society, but the banes have come inevitably along as these western festivals are over-hyped.
We don’t get to witness the extravagance that happens in Christmas and New Year during our main festivals like Dashain and Tihar. Celebrate everything, but to a limit so that it doesn’t overshadow our culture.
Sriza: Rather than the opening up of a vision, I think what’s happening is a showoff. People don’t celebrate these festivals because they’re open-minded, but because they want to highlight themselves.
Madhav: It’s not bad to be open to new beliefs and ideas, but we should not forget who we are. Identity is the thing that defines any person or country and we should not blemish it.
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