Masked dances of Nepal

At the heart of many Nepalese festivals are ritual dances: without the performance of those dances there is no festival. Historically dances in Nepal as well as festivals themselves were patronized by kings. Only the king could decide to introduce a new dance-drama or a new festival. Special masks are worn during such ritual dances. These masks are made of perishable materials such as papier mache, wood plastered with clay and linen, and are painted in lively colours. The masked dances tell intricate stories about the gods as well as great heroes.

Household items

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This arrangement of household items looked so picturesque that I couldn't pass by without taking a photo. You can see here traditional bamboo baskets doko that are used for carrying grass, fruits, stones or even kids; a bamboo carpet, shelves and brooms. 

Traditional Nepalese bejeweled masks

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These bejeweled traditional masks I saw at the Gems and Jewelry Show in Kathmandu on Saturday. Aren't they beauties? Turquoise, coral, garnet, lapis lazuli stones are used in their decoration.

Traditional Nepalese Buddha sculptures

Last Saturday I visited the International Fair Trade and Gems and Jewelry Show here in Kathmandu. The entrances to these event's venues were decorated with the magnificent sculptures of Buddha. 

Nepalese pottery

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Pottery has a long history in Nepali culture. The oldest recorded finds in Lumbini date back at least 2600 years. The large ceramic water pots can be found in almost every village in Nepal which are used to collect, store and transport water. These vessels also keep water cool. Clay goods are also essential to many Hindu and Buddhist religious ceremonies. During pujas small ceramic cups are used to hold candles and butter lamps. Traditional Newari rice wine called aila is made using a special ceramic set-up crafted just for distilling rice or millet alcohol: several clay containers of various sizes are used in conjunction with a large ceramic vessel with holes punced in the bottom. Without this special holed vessel the creation of potent aila would not be possible.

Traditional masks of Nepal

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Traditional masks of Nepal can be devided into two sorts: "tribal" masks which belong to the ethnic groups such as Gurung, Magar, Tharu, Rai etc and which are also referred to as "shaman's" masks; and "classical" masks which represent Hindu and Buddhist gods and goddesses.

The classical Nepali masks always represent deities or demons and never the dead or the ancestors. Besides, masks are more often used in processions and in rituals rather than in theatrical performances.

There are three categories of masks: first, masks representing faces of gods which are worn by human beings mostly during ritual dances, a second category, masks which serve as ornamental motifs for decorating a temple, a chariot during a procession, a vase used as a ritual object. A third category includes masks in metal or stone representing also the face of a god and which are worshipped like statues. They are called statue-masks. The metal used for making them are silver, brass or bronze. These masks are often decorated with jewels and when they are not worshipped are kept in a wooden box inside the temple.

What to buy in Nepal

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There are so many beautiful, interesting and unusual things in Nepal that no wonder if the question "what to buy?" will arise in your head. To help you with the asnwer to this question I will tell about the most interesting (from my point of view) handicrafts and products of Nepal that are worth to be bought here.

1. Pashmina. Pashmina is a word derived from Persian "Pashm" which means "finest wool fiber". Pashmina is made from the wool of the Himalayan Mountain goat, locally known as Chyangra ( Capra Hircus). This goat is generally found between altitudes of twelve thousand to fourteen thousand feet above sea level, in the mountains of Nepal, India and Pakistan. These goats develop a thin inner coat in winter which they shed during spring. Each hair is twelve to fourteen microns thick which is about one-sixth of the human hair. This unique inner coat of hair serves as material for pashmina.

The Art of African masks

The British and the Horniman museums has quite an interesting and impressive collection of African mask. After seeing it I wanted to know more about this form of ancient art. Originally the masks had a specific purpose and were much more than decorative objects. Masks can represent spirits, animals or mythological beings. Sometimes people wear masks with a costume as part of a ritual or performance. The purpose of a mask is not only to conceal the identity of the wearer, it actually creates a new identity - one from the spirit world. Many Africans use masks in private initiations, in the rituals of secret societies and in coming of age ceremonies. People use masks in public ceremonies such as funerals, harvest celebrations, acts of thanksgiving and in other rituals.

Glass beads bazaar in Kathmandu

There is an unusual market in Kathmandu, called "Pote bazaar." Here in Indra chowk, in the area of ​​750 sq m, exclusively glass bead jewelry is being sold. Its name "pote" came from the name of jewelry worn by all married women of Nepal. Pote is a necklace made of at least 20 strands of coloured glass beads with a golden hollow "tube" called "tilahari" attached to it as a pendant. This necklace is symbolic of the married state of a woman. Tilahari is given to the bride by the groom on their wedding day and the wearing of it by a married woman symbolizes the wish and the prayer for a long life of the husband. When the husband dies a woman will stop wearing the tilahari and will give it to the goldsmith to be melted down as it is taboo for a widow to wear tilahari. In everyday life many women do without this golden "tube", and wear just beaded necklace. And they do not remove it even at home.

Handicrafts of Pokhara

Shopping in the tourist area of Pokhara is something amazing. The shops are opened since early morning till late evening. You can find there handicrafts in ceramic, metal, textiles, paper. Gay-coloured patchwork covers, embroidered cushions, carpets, shawls, umbrellas gladden the eye. There is a big choice of pashmina and knitted goods as well. You can find Tibetan art tankgha or paintings by modern Nepali artists featuring scenery of Nepal or scenes of local life. There are many different books in the bookshops, some are very rare. For those who is going trekking there are jackets, bags, shoes, tents…