A traditional Nepali wedding is a long term event. Like in India, a lot of organizing is required for the bride’s family.
As friend of the bride’s elder brother, I have been invited to attend some of the most important ceremonies, like the exchanging of rings, the visit of the bride in the bridegroom’s home, and finally, the great wedding party! As members of the Newari caste in Kathmandu, they follow their old traditions in costumes, wedding music, food and rituals, led by two Hindu priests. Among the more than two hundred guests were relatives and friends on both sides, all dressed in saris and dhaura survaal (the man’s traditional costume). At the parade to the bride’s home, some were also dressed in colorful costumes. I missed this occasion, but I have been witnessing some similar parades in the streets of Katmandu Darbar – the ancient city square.
The food served on this occasion is of course according to old traditions: Curries with dried goat meat and with smoked buffalo meat – pretty hot and a hard test for your stomach! Most peculiar is the dry rice flakes that are served instead of boiled rice. The local rice wine, rakshi, is very popular on all traditional celebrations.
The festive music that welcomed us to the large, beautifully decorated tent was the Panchaibaja – old ensemble music, played on trumpets and long, curved horns, various drums and cymbals. The curved horns reminded me of the bronze horns from the Nordic Stone Age! Enjoy the pictures and the music!
Svein
As friend of the bride’s elder brother, I have been invited to attend some of the most important ceremonies, like the exchanging of rings, the visit of the bride in the bridegroom’s home, and finally, the great wedding party! As members of the Newari caste in Kathmandu, they follow their old traditions in costumes, wedding music, food and rituals, led by two Hindu priests. Among the more than two hundred guests were relatives and friends on both sides, all dressed in saris and dhaura survaal (the man’s traditional costume). At the parade to the bride’s home, some were also dressed in colorful costumes. I missed this occasion, but I have been witnessing some similar parades in the streets of Katmandu Darbar – the ancient city square.
The food served on this occasion is of course according to old traditions: Curries with dried goat meat and with smoked buffalo meat – pretty hot and a hard test for your stomach! Most peculiar is the dry rice flakes that are served instead of boiled rice. The local rice wine, rakshi, is very popular on all traditional celebrations.
The festive music that welcomed us to the large, beautifully decorated tent was the Panchaibaja – old ensemble music, played on trumpets and long, curved horns, various drums and cymbals. The curved horns reminded me of the bronze horns from the Nordic Stone Age! Enjoy the pictures and the music!
Svein
