Socio- cultural networking, religion and recreation among Nepalese youth

Social enthusiast,Youth Scientist 

• Nepal has its own complex culture and traditions which have been influenced in varying degrees by Aryan, Mongolian, Muslim, European and American culture. These various shades are fully integrated and assimilated in the cultural milieu of the country. The young people in Nepal feel that old values in the country’s culture have to be drastically changed. Some of these old fashioned views and customs based on caste system, feudalism and superstitious beliefs are out of place in the present-day society. There is an all round deterioration of our cultural heritage during the last decade. Now the central and tradition based society is fast changing into the so-called modern society, especially in the towns and in the capitals. The western blizzard that is enveloping the world has not left Nepal untouched. But there is still something left in us before we can adjust ourselves so as to meet the danger and take shelter by allowing only a definite quality of the western culture to pour to us. For us Nepalese the time is such as we will be walking on the razor’s edge where to the right there is pure mechanization and a robot animated world, while on the left there are dogmas, superstitions as well as empty and light handedness; we haven’t stopped to think about our ways and simply moved on with changing times.The Nepalese lead a very hard life; still they make merry-go-rounds and swings for fun and play and sing songs in solo or in duet. During festivals people from all walks of life enjoy the celebrations. Festivals are observed with jubilation and feast. Nepalese festivals have unique religious cultural, social and educational characters. Feasts and festivals are great attraction for the Nepalese people and they represent the religious beliefs, social customs and economic outlook of people. Nepal is rightly called the land of festivals. Newars, the original inhabitants of Kathmandu valley, observe the greatest number of festivals and jatras(processions).The various celebrations, festivals & jatras are the substitutes for other forms of modern recreation. These festivals are great attractions to all other youth of the country and they take part in them with great rejoicing. Surprisingly, in villages of Nepal there are many traditional ways of recreations. Nepalese as a whole are greatly interested in trekking either for religious purpose or for picnics. Both rural and urban youth have got ample leisure as they are either single or are without children; therefore they need less time for household or family responsibilities and can spare plenty of time for picnics. But owing to the expansion of airways and growth in foreign trade, the youth are now found involved in overseas trade which also provide them an opportunity to have a nice holiday at home and abroad. Student-youth are very much interested in going on excursions and tours inside the country or outside. Traveling inside the country is quite cheap and overnight accommodations are also available in guest houses or restaurants in highways. The places included in their itinerary are Pokhara, Dharan, big towns of India (viz. Goa, Delhi, Bombay, Calcutta, Madras etc.)Student-youth have a craze for visiting these places with a view to seeing modern life, amenities, fashions and also for dating purposes. Other countries like Singapore, Thailand and Hong Kong are also represented on the itinerary of the youth. Religious pilgrimages are very uncommon among the youth, but they like to accompany their parents, though the interest and the purpose of the young & the old differ to some extent. Young people who go to temple or religious place do so only as a constitution walk or just for refreshment, gossiping with friends etc. Some of the youth on their early 20s interviewed by writer said that they would go to the temple at the time of their examinations and pray to god for success. Some mentioned that when they get into adverse circumstances also they would go and pray to god for favor of help. Some who are sick pray to god for early recovery. Thus, religion as a whole is just a fun for them and not a matter of faith. According to the Hindu concept all the Vedic, Buddhist, Jain and Sikhs religions belong to the Hindu pantheon. All Nepalese youth strongly belief in co-existence and follow religious tolerance being secular state by interim constitution, Nepal is independent with every religion. Though some Hindu temples as pashupatinath and guheshwari are off the limits to non-Hindus. Nepalese youth believe greatly in their religious values, tradition and philosophy. Picnicking and dancing are also common among students who choose a secluded place or a garden for the purpose. Young people go in groups, prepare their meals, play cards, chess and other games and enjoy according to their desires. Listening to local folk songs, pop songs, Hindi music and downloading songs of their choices from the music sited is also popular among most of the youths.  Among the rural youth of Nepal various folk songs and dances are common. The people of Nepal worship Mahadeva as a god of dance and parwati as a goddess of dance. The whole country resounds with music and rhythm. Dance and music are an integral part of life of youth of the country. Folk songs are very popular, especially in the Nepali language, although different ethnic groups have also their own dialects and their own folk songs. Nepalese folk songs represent the essence of all folk songs & have choice phrases or idioms derived from local dialects. Dances are also popular among the youth of Nepal. Young people dance together. At intervals comic scenes are brought in for entertainment. Dances of terai, midland and Himalayan regions are different in pattern & in theme. In addition, several ethnic groups have their typical dances. among  the Gurung community both young boys and girls dance and sing in a club, called ‘Rodhighar’ which is a social and cultural organization. It is a kind of night club. In ‘Rodhighar’ young boys and girls participate in folk songs, dohori & dances which continue even upto the midnight. During the club activities the young participants feel free & frank in their romantic dealing with each other , but actual sex does not take place. ‘Rodhighar’ becomes a place of fun, especially after the paddy , corn, millet harvesting seasons . it is also popular with some Magars, Rais and limbus. ‘Rodhighar’ as a socio-cultural event is disappearing fast. It is very unfortunate as a means of modern entertainment our many customs & social traditions are on the way out. Social gathering on the Deuralis, Chautaris & Bhanjyang are slowly diminishing. That’s why we youth should conserve all our valuable customs, culture and traditions. 

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