Monday, 19 December 2011 06:15
Discovering the Heritage of Nepal
By Srimal Fernando
Nepal is one of the most fascinating countries in South Asia. Tourists visiting this beautiful country will find that things they can see and do are limitless. The geography of the country is notable for its great diversity. The country is a landlocked state in the Himalayan Mountains bordering to the south, east and west by India and to the north by China. Of the world’s fourteen high peaks the country has eight that include Mount Everest known as Sagar-matha in Nepali. At 29,021 feet it is the world’s highest point. It has more than 240 peaks over 20,000 feet above sea level. The country is also a favorite destination among river rafters, trekkers and mountaineers. Cultural life in Nepal is rich and varied like its countryside. The countries cultural heritage dates back to more than two millenniums and has been a home to majestic dynasties. Nepali flag reflects the heritage of the country. It is the only national flag in the world that is not rectangular in shape.
The flag's blue border signifies peace. The curved moon on the flag is a symbol of the peaceful and calm nature of Nepalese, while the sun represents the aggressiveness of Nepalese warriors. The culture of the county is characterized by diversity. The country has a wealth of dialects spoken in different regions. The wide range of traditional customs is one reflection of this diversity. Colorful and ornate pagodas and temples located in different areas of the country attract tourist from home and abroad. The noteworthy towns such as Katmandu, Lumbini, Pokhara, Patan, Janakpur , Nepal-guni and Bhaktpu have their own distinctive character.
The capital city Katmandu is situated amidst a splendid panorama in the bowl shaped Katmandu Valley. It is the biggest and the most cosmopolitan city of Nepal. It is also known as the 'City of Temples’. Among its highest-esteemed attractions is, the Durbar Square. The Monkey temple, Swayambhu-nath and the world’s largest Shiva temple the Pashupati-nath temple are prominent sites of Katmandu for tourists to visit. The national museum of Nepal has some of the rarest and exquisite pieces of art and craft. These prized possessions of the museum were collected from all over Nepal and are displayed at the museum. Nepali customs are rooted in a synthesis of ethnic and religious traditions. Over centuries the country has assimilated influences of many religions. Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, is located in the south-western side of the country. It was once an extensive centre of Buddhist culture.
This world heritage site is a place of pilgrimage for millions of Buddhists from all over the world. Shivaratri is one of the major festivals of Nepal. Thousands of Hindu devotees from India throng to Nepal weeks ahead of this festival to participate in celebrations. Nepal is called the land of festivals where colourful celebrations are held throughout the year. Fairs are an inseparable part of the traditional culture of the people of Nepal. Some fairs are organized because of their traditional value and social importance; some are simply for fun and amusement. Fashion has been an important industry and cultural export of the country. Nepali cuisine has a iconic traditional specialty. Newari and Thakali cuisines are the original taste of the country .The people of the country have a well-deserved reputation for being hard workers, but they enjoy their leisure as much as anyone else. Nepali culture has contributed notably to literature, art, music and dance. The country is essentially a land of songs ,music and dance.
Source Daily Mirror (life ) Page C2 http://www.dailymirror.lk
In the vast blue Pacific Ocean between the Hawaiian Islands and Australia lie some of the most beautiful, unspoiled island destinations of our planet. Proceeding westward across the Pacific from Polynesia to Melanesia and Micronesia, we find islands Fiji, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, Cook Islands, Samoan Islands, Tahiti, Tonga, Niue , Kiribati ,New Caledonia and a host of small islands. The diverse cultures of these 7000 to 10000 islands of the South Pacific have been shaped by isolation, migration and the vast ocean settings. These forces have in turn influenced the local styles of music and dance. The Pacific Islands are not just admired for its beauty but also for its fabulous dances and music. Music and dance is an integral part of the life of South Pacific islanders. Indeed, the songs and dances are woven into the very fabric of everyday life. For many South Pacific people, dance is one of the crucial threads that bind past, present and future. The Islanders are natural musicians, who love to hear and sing good music. They compose songs for every trivial occasion. This vibrant region offers the explorer, myriad of opportunities in cultures, festivals and in foods.
Fiji is the land of broad smiles, flashing white teeth; gentle relaxation with absolutely no stress .The music of Fiji represents not only its indigenous traditions but that of India, China, Europe and other Pacific islands. The most popular traditional Fijian dance is the meke in which voices and dance are combined. Different types of meke include the war dance, men’s club and spear dance, as well as the men’s or women’s fan dance. Women’s standing dance and the sitting dance are performed by men or women. Both men and women perform in the meke, and the dance is viewed as a mixed dance in which men are expected to demonstrate their virile movements, while women are expected to be graceful and feminine. Poi is another form of dance performed at fire-walking shows. Poi is now performed primarily by women, who often mix singing with the traditional poi dance movements. Fijian music styles and structures include Polynesian and Melanesian music with the variation in style between one area and another.