Population Demographics:
According to research of July 2012, Population of Nepal is 29,890,686. Population rate of children from 0 to 14 years is 33.5% (male 5,108,258/female 4,918,259), 15 to 24 years is 22.5% (male 3,350,311/female 3,362,958), adult from 25 to 54 years is 34.1% (male 4,786,214/female 5,417,777), 55 to 64 years is 5.4% (male 792,775/female 835,048) and 65 years and over is 4.4% (male 613,905/female 705,181). Birth rate is 21.85 births/1,000 population (2012 est.) and Death rate is 6.75 deaths/1,000 population. Population has increased by 1.768%.
Culture:
Nepal's culture is greatly influenced by its music, architecture, religion and literature. Nepalese do not eat beef. There are several reasons for this, one being that the Hindus worship cow and it is also the national animal of Nepal. Another interesting concept among Nepalese is division of pure and impure. “Jutho” referring to food or material touched by another’s mouth directly or indirectly, is considered impure by Nepalese. It's music is similarly varied, with pop, religious, classical and folk music being popular. Usually, women, even of the musician castes, do not play music except for specific situations, such as at the traditional all-female wedding parties. Most Nepalese greet one another by a “Namaste”, a common act done by putting the palms together in a prayer like gesture.
Language and Ethnicity:
There are 36 ethnic groups speaking multiple languages in Nepal but Nepali is the official language of the state, spoken and understood by majority of the population. English is spoken by many in Government and business offices. Multiple ethnic groups have their own mother tongues. In the northern region of the Himalayas are the Tibetan-speaking groups namely Sherpas, Dolpa-pas, Lopas, Baragaonlis, Manangis. The Magars, Gurungs, Tamangs, Sunuwars, Newars, Thakalis, Chepangs, Brahmins, Chhetris and Thakuris live in the middle hills and valleys.The natives of the Kathmandu Valley are the Newars. Newari culture is an integration of both Hinduism and Buddhism. The main ethnic groups in Terai are Tharus, Darai, Kumhal, Majhi and other groups. They speak north Indian dialects like Maithili, Bhojpuri. Other names for Nepali include Gorkhali/Gurkhali (“language of the Gurkhas”) as well as Parbatiya (“language of the mountains”). Nepali was originally known as Khaskura (“speech of the Khas”)an was spoken by rice farming Khas who settled in the Karnali Bheri basin. Today it is spoken throughout Nepal as well as in parts of Bhutan and India. Bahing or Rumdali is classified as part of the Kiranti languages and is spoken by the Bahing people living in Okhaldhunga. This language has been described as complex and slight differences between words are often difficult for people of similar dialects to understand. Maithili is one of the Indo-Aryan languages. Many view it as a dialect of Hindi and not a separate language. It however received official language status in 2003 and is thus used in education etc. Limbu, a Tibeto-Burman language, spoken by the Limbu ethnic group. Limbus call themselves Yakthung and the Limbu language Yakthung Pan. Most Limbus can also speak Nepali fluently.
Religion:
In Nepal, religion is not just a set of beliefs and accompanying rituals handed down from generation to generation; rather it is a complex intermingling of traditions, festivals, faiths and doctrines that have permeated every strata of Nepalese Society in such a way as to become the very heartbeat of the nation. Religions practiced in Nepal are Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Christianity, Jainism, Sikhism, Bon, ancestor worship and animism. The majority of Nepalese are either Hindus or Buddhists. Buddha is widely worshiped by both Buddhists and Hindus of Nepal. Various festivals related to religious beliefs are celebrated across the country and deeply influence the lives of many of the people living here. Dress, grooming and decorative jewellery is also influenced by religion. Foreigners may find it difficult to comprehend why Nepalese people hold to their beliefs and traditions but the religious nature of the culture has to be thoroughly explored in order for them to better understand various matters. For the Nepalese people, it is a way of life – not a choice of how to live. Religious beliefs influence culture, art, music and architecture and many other facets of life.
Food:
Even food in Nepal differs from one culture to another. Authentic Nepali taste is found in Newari and Thakali cuisines. Most Nepalese do not use cutlery but eat with their right hand. The regular Nepali meal is dal (lentil soup), bhat (boiled rice) and tarkari (curried vegetables), often accompanied by achar (pickle).Momos (steamed or fried dumplings) deserve a mention as one of the most popular snack among Nepalis. Rotis (flat bread) and dhedo (boiled flour) also make meals in some homes.
If you are interested to know nepalese food more. Visit: http://food-nepal.com/feat/intro_food.htm
According to research of July 2012, Population of Nepal is 29,890,686. Population rate of children from 0 to 14 years is 33.5% (male 5,108,258/female 4,918,259), 15 to 24 years is 22.5% (male 3,350,311/female 3,362,958), adult from 25 to 54 years is 34.1% (male 4,786,214/female 5,417,777), 55 to 64 years is 5.4% (male 792,775/female 835,048) and 65 years and over is 4.4% (male 613,905/female 705,181). Birth rate is 21.85 births/1,000 population (2012 est.) and Death rate is 6.75 deaths/1,000 population. Population has increased by 1.768%.
Culture:
Nepal's culture is greatly influenced by its music, architecture, religion and literature. Nepalese do not eat beef. There are several reasons for this, one being that the Hindus worship cow and it is also the national animal of Nepal. Another interesting concept among Nepalese is division of pure and impure. “Jutho” referring to food or material touched by another’s mouth directly or indirectly, is considered impure by Nepalese. It's music is similarly varied, with pop, religious, classical and folk music being popular. Usually, women, even of the musician castes, do not play music except for specific situations, such as at the traditional all-female wedding parties. Most Nepalese greet one another by a “Namaste”, a common act done by putting the palms together in a prayer like gesture.
Language and Ethnicity:
There are 36 ethnic groups speaking multiple languages in Nepal but Nepali is the official language of the state, spoken and understood by majority of the population. English is spoken by many in Government and business offices. Multiple ethnic groups have their own mother tongues. In the northern region of the Himalayas are the Tibetan-speaking groups namely Sherpas, Dolpa-pas, Lopas, Baragaonlis, Manangis. The Magars, Gurungs, Tamangs, Sunuwars, Newars, Thakalis, Chepangs, Brahmins, Chhetris and Thakuris live in the middle hills and valleys.The natives of the Kathmandu Valley are the Newars. Newari culture is an integration of both Hinduism and Buddhism. The main ethnic groups in Terai are Tharus, Darai, Kumhal, Majhi and other groups. They speak north Indian dialects like Maithili, Bhojpuri. Other names for Nepali include Gorkhali/Gurkhali (“language of the Gurkhas”) as well as Parbatiya (“language of the mountains”). Nepali was originally known as Khaskura (“speech of the Khas”)an was spoken by rice farming Khas who settled in the Karnali Bheri basin. Today it is spoken throughout Nepal as well as in parts of Bhutan and India. Bahing or Rumdali is classified as part of the Kiranti languages and is spoken by the Bahing people living in Okhaldhunga. This language has been described as complex and slight differences between words are often difficult for people of similar dialects to understand. Maithili is one of the Indo-Aryan languages. Many view it as a dialect of Hindi and not a separate language. It however received official language status in 2003 and is thus used in education etc. Limbu, a Tibeto-Burman language, spoken by the Limbu ethnic group. Limbus call themselves Yakthung and the Limbu language Yakthung Pan. Most Limbus can also speak Nepali fluently.
Religion:
In Nepal, religion is not just a set of beliefs and accompanying rituals handed down from generation to generation; rather it is a complex intermingling of traditions, festivals, faiths and doctrines that have permeated every strata of Nepalese Society in such a way as to become the very heartbeat of the nation. Religions practiced in Nepal are Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Christianity, Jainism, Sikhism, Bon, ancestor worship and animism. The majority of Nepalese are either Hindus or Buddhists. Buddha is widely worshiped by both Buddhists and Hindus of Nepal. Various festivals related to religious beliefs are celebrated across the country and deeply influence the lives of many of the people living here. Dress, grooming and decorative jewellery is also influenced by religion. Foreigners may find it difficult to comprehend why Nepalese people hold to their beliefs and traditions but the religious nature of the culture has to be thoroughly explored in order for them to better understand various matters. For the Nepalese people, it is a way of life – not a choice of how to live. Religious beliefs influence culture, art, music and architecture and many other facets of life.
Food:
Even food in Nepal differs from one culture to another. Authentic Nepali taste is found in Newari and Thakali cuisines. Most Nepalese do not use cutlery but eat with their right hand. The regular Nepali meal is dal (lentil soup), bhat (boiled rice) and tarkari (curried vegetables), often accompanied by achar (pickle).Momos (steamed or fried dumplings) deserve a mention as one of the most popular snack among Nepalis. Rotis (flat bread) and dhedo (boiled flour) also make meals in some homes.
If you are interested to know nepalese food more. Visit: http://food-nepal.com/feat/intro_food.htm