Tharu Culture | Bardia National Park

Tharu Culture | Bardia National Park

Tharu Culture | Bardia National Park

Bardiya, covered with forest and the sparsely populated area is home to indigenous tribal people called Tharu. Additional Tharus immigrated west from Dang and Deukhuri Valleys. Tharu from Dang and Deukhuri make up a majority of Bardiya’s population. Other tribes called Sonaha live near the Karnali River and western periphery of Bardia National Park. They are historically engaged in extracting golden ores from sediments of rivers and fishing.

 

The Tharu people themselves say that they are a people of the forest. They have lived in the forests for hundreds of years practicing short fallow shifting cultivation. They plant rice, mustard, corn, and lentils, but also collect forest products such as wild fruits, vegetables, medicinal plants and materials to build their houses; hunt deer, rabbit, and wild boar, and go fishing in the rivers and oxbow lakes.

 

The Tharus are never going foreign countries for employment, a life that kept them isolated in their own localities. In this isolation, they developed a unique culture free from the influence of adjacent India; or from the mountain groups of Nepal. The most striking aspects of their environment are the decorate rice containers; colorfully paint verandahs and outer walls of their homes using only available materials like clay, mud, dung, and grass. Much of the rich design is rooted in devotional activities and passed on from one generation to the next; occasionally introducing contemporary elements such as a bus or an airplane.

 

Population

 

According to the latest national Census 2011, the population of Tharu is 1,737,470. They have a distinct language, culture, rituals, culture, customs, and lifestyles. They are rich in folklore, literature, language. Culturally and linguistically, Tharus are rich in cultural heritage and have their own special costumes. Unique ways of living, language, religious belief, which make them different from other indigenous communities in Nepal. Tharus were said to be migrated from southern desert alike plain land called Thar; thus they were called Tharu. Their communities know as the region of Tharuwan or the region of Tharuhat.

 

Festivals

 

Festivals are the main resources of recreation and entertainment in their community due to traditional activities. Certain of the major Tharu Communities festivals are as follows:

 

Maghi

Maghi is the biggest festival of Tharu people, which marks the community’s new year. The festival celebrates for a week. Tharus clean and decorate their houses to welcome their New Year, while also performing Shakiya Naach, a special dance organized during the festival. Various clubs and organizations in the villages have formed teams and organized fairs to celebrate the festival.

 

Jitiya

One of the most important festivals celebrate by Tharu women is Jitiya. This festival celebrates by keeping fast by the mothers of their sons. On this day, the brothers visit their sisters’ homes to invite them and take them to their maternal home where they will be celebrating this festival. The married women keep waterless fast and worship Lord Jitmahan on this occasion.

 

Shukrati

The festival of Shukrati of the Tharu is similar to the festival of Tihar or Deepawali, the color of lights. The Tharus prepare a baton of jute sticks ‘Santhi’ and ‘Sabai’, the wild rope grass on the day of Laxmi puja and in the evening, they light the batons ‘Hunke Hukar’ from the lamp offered to the home deity and play with the burning batons among their friends and relatives at an open space. They also chant ‘Hunke Hunkar, Behan Bagiya’ which means ‘the day after will be celebrated by eating Bagiya.

 

Chhath

It is another important festival of the Tharu community. On this day, people worship the sun and keep fast without even drinking the drop of water. They eat Thekuwa, fruits as a Prasad.

Besides these, Tharus also celebrate the common festivals is perform by other Nepali people like Dashain, New Year and Fagu Purnima.

 

 

Tharu Culture | Bardia National Park

  1. Arrival in Kathmandu and transfer to Hotel.
  2. Sightseeing to major historical places in Kathmandu Valley and preparation day
  3. Fly from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj and drive to Bardia National Park
  4. Wildlife Activities in Bardia National Park
  5. Wildlife Activities in Bardia National Park
  6. Experience Tharu cultural
  7. Drive to Nepaljung and Fly to Kathmandu
  8. Final Departure

 

More details visit: Bardia National Park