Family, ethnicity and caste
The organization of society into ethnic groups, castes and families contributes to the maintenance of age-old traditions, even if young people, influenced by the West, increasingly prefer the marriage of love to that of reason. And this at the risk of being rejected by their families. As far as marriage is concerned, all three formulas are possible in the Himalayas: monogamy, polygamy or fraternal polyandry. While monogamy is the most common form of marriage, in Tibetan culture, fraternal polyandry (several brothers sharing the same wife) is not uncommon. Hinduism does not allow polygamy, but some members of the high caste still bind themselves to a second wife in simplified ceremonies.
Education
In principle, school is compulsory for all Nepalese children between grades 6 and 11. In 1990, one-third of children aged 12 to 17 were in school; in 1995, the literacy rate was 61 per cent, but three out of four Nepalese over the age of 15 could neither read nor write, and women accounted for more than two-thirds of the illiterate population. According to the latest available figures (Unicef), in 2011, the adult literacy rate was 59% and the school enrolment rate was 84%. More recent assessments (Index mundi 2015) show a literacy rate close to 64%, of which 76.4% for men and 53.1% for women. The literacy rate for young people (under 25 years of age) is close to 90 per cent. The progress is therefore undeniable, even if the overall rate remains insufficient.
The place of women
The situation of women in Nepal, although better than in India, is not always brilliant. The mortality rate for women is higher than for men and their literacy rate is lower. The United Nations and other agencies had addressed the problem, but patriarchy was deeply entrenched and the weight of tradition was extremely strong. In some communities, such as the Sherpa where women have a more important role, the situation is a little better. In the city, women are often confined to domestic chores and child rearing, while in the countryside, this is compounded by animal husbandry and work in the fields (which is very hard physically). In the mountains, everything is even more difficult because everything is further and higher. Finally, when it happens that a woman works outside the home, she will work at a lower and less well paid job than a man. Even if the situation is slowly starting to change with the access to Internet and the slow evolution of mentalities, a trek in the mountains with a Nepalese guide who will explain you the history and customs of Nepal will give you the opportunity to realize that Nepal is very far from having won the fight for equality.
Malnutrition
Nepal has one of the highest rates of malnutrition in the world. This scourge is not only found in the mountains, villages or more isolated areas where there is real food insecurity . Malnutrition affects almost one in two young children and, according to several NGOs present in Nepal, many women are also victims. This is due to the fact that women are still subject to strong discrimination, especially daughters-in-law who, being at the bottom of the family hierarchy in many communities, are often the last to eat. Some even have to make do with leftovers even when they are pregnant, with serious consequences for the babies. In summer, when it is warmer and food does not keep as well, the problem intensifies.
Eating habits
Nepalese generally have two meals a day: in the morning they have breakfast around 11am and then dinner around 7pm. Breakfast is only optional, but when it is taken, it is taken early (around 6am). The basis of the Nepalese diet is the national dish: dal bhat tarkari. The recipe is simple: lentil soup, rice, vegetable curry and yoghurt. Sometimes a bit of meat decorates the daily life. This dish is served on a compartmentalized tray in the middle of which is a large quantity of rice. The Newar replace boiled rice with crushed rice flakes, the people of the plains with (roasted) wheat patties, but the principle remains the same. The housewife's touch isachar, a fermented and spicy condiment, each of which has its own recipe. Meat is rare, but the many dairy products make it forget: yoghurt, tea with milk, whey. Masala tea is Nepal's national drink. For a good masala tea, no need to buy a ready-made bag, you just have to combine the spices and some black tea in hot milk. The secret: bring the milk to the boil three times in a row. There are good locally produced alcoholic drinks in Nepal such as beer (Tulborg, Carlsberg), Kukhri rum and vodka from the distilleries in Kathmandu. Among the strong alcohols, raksi will be offered to you. This newar rice alcohol, which is similar to sake, offers both good and bad surprises. Fruit brandies from Tukuche and Marpha (in the Kali Gandaki valley) are worth trying.
Cultural leisure activities
Let's take, for example, the dance that is as diverse as the ethnic groups in Nepal. During religious festivals, Buddhist monks also perform wonderful masked dances. In Bhaktapur, you can also discover the Hindu Nava Durga. Nepal's artistic fame also comes from its stone, metal and wood carvings by Newar artists from the Kathmandu Valley. The Nepalese style has imposed itself and the arts of sculpture have served Buddhist and Hindu architecture. In addition to woodcarving techniques, of which pieces prior to the twelfth century have not survived, craftsmen practice the technique of repoussé and lost wax.
