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Geography

Nepal sits on the southern shoulder of the Himalayas, sandwiched between China and India. Not only does it have the world’s tallest mountains, including Everest & Annapurna, they’re also the youngest and still growing.

Nepal also has vast plains to the south, fertile valleys in the midlands & high altitude deserts in the north. Most of the population live as farmers, between the Mahabharat Range and the Himalayas.

People

It’s a new day in Nepal. Closed to outsiders until 1951, and a staunch Hindu kingdom until 2001, Nepal is now a newborn Republic; the nation is at a tipping point in almost every area of life and thought.

The blend of ancient traditions and modern aspirations paints a vibrant portrait of a society in transition, where the past and the future converge against the backdrop of majestic mountains and a rich cultural tapestry.

Climate

The weather in Nepal greatly depends on time of year and location. The climate varies from cool summers and severe winters in the north to subtropical summers and mild winters in the south.

Seasons:

Dry - October to May

Monsoon - June to September

For much of the year it is important to plan on wearing layers so you can adjust as the weather changes.

NEPAL POPULATION Population: 30.6 Million The majority of Nepal’s population is rural,

with only 22.1% living in urban areas. However, the urbanization rate is increasing, and it is expected that more and more people will move to cities in the coming years.

Hindus - 81%

Hindus believe that there are 33 million gods, who are capricious & arbitrary. Villagers mix animism with Hinduism. Spirituality is welcome and common.

Buddhists - 9%

Most Nepalis blend Hinduism and Buddhism in their religious practice. They believe Buddha’s birthplace is in southern Nepal. Tibetans fled to Nepal in 1951, and brought with them “tantric” Buddhism.

Muslims - 5%

Nepal has a small Muslim population, mostly in the Terai region near the Indian border.

Christians - 1.8%

Until 2001, it was illegal to be a Christian, or to share openly about Jesus; the church was persecuted. Still, it grew, and today it is dynamic and free to worship and obey Jesus. Nepal is a secular state, and the constitution guarantees freedom of religion. However, conversion is illegal, and Christians still sometimes persecuted.

NEPALI HISTORY

Nepali history unfolds with the arrival of the Kiratis, who arrived in the 7th or 8th century BC. Though shrouded in mystery, it was during their reign that the seeds of Buddhism were sown. Legend has it that the enlightened Buddha visited the Kathmandu Valley.

Buddhism was replaced by Hinduism brought by the Licchavis who invaded northern India. In the year 200 AD, as Hinduism took root, it carried with it the caste system, which still lingers to this day. This led to a renaissance of artistic and architectural brilliance, a classical age that left an indelible mark on the nation’s heritage.

In 879, a grim period of instability called the “Dark Ages” began. Eventually, a man named Jung Bahadur emerged from the shadows, orchestrating a malevolent coup d’état that claimed the lives of many influential figures. He ascended to power as the Rana Prime Minister, reigning over Nepal with an iron fist. The oppressive reign of Ranas persisted until the conclusion of World War II, when the British departed from India.

In 1951, King Tribhuvan ascended to the throne, by forming a government that united the country. The doors of Nepal swung open to external influences, as doctors, educators, missionaries, and Christian Nepalis breathed life into the nation’s modernization efforts. King Mahendra, the son of Tribhuvan, furthered this transformation by establishing a party system.

This new government was veiled in shadows as corruption and the misappropriation of foreign aid marred progress. In 1989 the Nepalis rose up in a popular protest known as the Jana Andolan or “People’s Movement.” However, this struggle for liberation also led to countless lives lost in violent clashes across the nation.

The new king, King Birendra, dissolved the archaic systems, leading Nepal’s transition towards democracy. Yet, the path towards a stable democracy was beset by a Maoist rebellion that plunged Nepal into a decade-long civil war that uprooted lives. Tragedy struck once more in June 2001, when Nepal’s royal family fell prey to a harrowing massacre. Gyanendra, the King’s younger brother, ascended to power, further exacerbating the country’s political tumult.

In May 2006, as the Maoist guerrillas laid down their arms, bringing an end to the conflict. The monarchy was abolished, ushering in an era of religious freedom, a vibrant free press, and burgeoning global trade relations. No longer a Hindu kingdom, Nepal entered into the process of becoming a Republic. After the earthquakes in 2015, a new constitution was promulgated.

NEPALI CULTURE

There is not one Nepali culture; Nepal is a melting pot of different cultures. These can vary, depending on place, people, urban vs rural, etc.

TIME VS EVENT In western countries like the U.S.A. or Germany, time is important. A meeting scheduled for 3:30 will start at 3:30 or soon after. In Nepal (and many Asian countries) the event is important, not the time it occurs. Just enjoy the experience.

TASK VS PEOPLE In the west the goal or task is important. When meeting with a Nepali, a typical westerner will probably want to get to the point fairly soon and discuss the business at hand. In Nepal, we will feel more like spending plenty of time drinking tea and just getting to know you, since in Nepal relationships are important.

INDIVIDUAL VS GROUP Westerners can be private, individualistic, independent, and make decisions on their own. In Nepal there is a group orientation; People like to do most things together and are used to low privacy. Decisions are often made in a group.

CONFRONTATION Nepalis often avoid confrontation and take a lot of time to get to the point. Nepalis rarely complain or display anger.

DATING Most Nepalis do not date. Marriages are usually arranged through families. A man and a woman seen alone together are assumed to be married. Touching or being intimate with the opposite sex is considered dishonorable.

PERSONAL OWNERSHIP In the west people are more possessive of personal belongings. In Nepal things are more communal; A person’s ipod or shoes may be used by others. Things borrowed are not always promptly returned. If anyone in a group buys food or water, that person will share with everyone in the group. Meals are often communal at a restaurant, rather than ordered individually.

RESPECT FOR ELDERS In the west, everyone is treated more or less the same, regardless of rank, age or position. Relationships are informal. In Nepal, there is much more respect for elders and leaders. Pastors, government officials, and village leaders should be carefully treated with respect.

GLOBALIZATION Nepal’s cities and towns are fast becoming more modernized and cosmopolitan. You will see and experience a type of western globalization in the cities. Nepalis who have worked with westerners also are gracious and will often try to accommodate your western way of doing things. Therefore, sometimes you may find Nepalis on the western end of the spectrum on various issues. Events are often punctual; Some younger Nepalis date, and so on. Your challenge will be to figure out just how much a person or community has been influenced by outside culture, so you can gauge what to expect. Whatever the case, be adaptable, respect their way of life and enjoy the experience of being a part of a different culture.

GOOD BOOKS TO READ

• Nepal - a Travel Survival Kit (Lonely Planet) by Tony Wheeler.
• Don’t Let the Goats Eat the Loquat Trees by Thomas Hale.
• Culture Shock! A Guide to Customs and Etiquette: Nepal by Jon Burbank

NEPALI LANGUAGE