Nepal has the most remarkable mosaic of ethnic groups in all of the Himalayan countries. It is home to more than 125 different ethnic groups with their own culture and often their own language. Each of the distinguished faces of Nepal are a testament to the country's history and culture. The people of this land are proud of their heritage, and they have a story to tell. The faces of Nepal are as diverse as the languages themselves. These are the faces of people who not only have been through incredible hardships, but also resilient and continuously striving for a better life. It is my goal to share the diversity of these people and culture through this collection.
A Girl In A Tharu Dress
When I was a photojournalist for a local news website covering the Kathmandu Valley's education industry in 2018, I would regularly be invited to these cultural activities at schools to record them. It was on one of these occasions that I met this girl wearing a traditional Tharu outfit and asked her if I may snap her photo just before she took the stage. Tharu's are one of the oldest and original indigenous ethnic groups to inhabit the Terai. They are spread across the length of Nepal’s plain's, Tharus have their own unique religion and practice animism. Their culture is especially suited for the hot plains.
Fearless
I asked him what he wanted to be when he grew up after snapping his picture at a school program. He answered without hesitation, "I want to join the Gurkhas." As much as it is a chance to raise their level of life, it is also about pride and family tradition for them to wear the uniform after seeing their dads, uncles, and cousins do so The indigenous mountain people, such as the Rai's, Gurung's, Limbus, and Magars are chosen by the British army to join their ranks Still today, joining the British Army is a dream that Nepali boys grow up with.
With An Eye On Bhaktapur
Bhaktapur A UNESCO world heritage site the third of the Medieval city-states in the Kathmandu valley. Many Nepalese use the old name of Bhadgaon, or the Newari name Khwopa, which means City of Devotees. Cultural life is also proudly on display. Along narrow alleys, squares are filled with drying pots, locals gather in courtyards to bathe, collect water, play cards and socialize. Newar's speak their own language “Newari” also known as Nepal Bhasa which belongs to Tibeto-Burman family language.
A Brief Encounter At Kagbeni
Kagbeni is a Tibetan village at an altitude of 2804 m (9199 ft.) it is the only “Gateway to upper Mustang” located in the Valley of Kali Gandaki River. stuck somewhere in between centuries. Kagbeni is known as one of the oldest villages in the Himalayas. It is a settlement that bridges the gap between Lower and Upper Mustang, The main religion of the villagers of Kagbeni is Tibetan Buddhism Their language, lifestyle and landscape are also similar to Tibet.
Holy Men Of Nepal
The Sadhus of Nepal are its wandering Holy men Many Sadhus are also Yogis who are practitioners of meditation. They have chosen a life away from or at least on the edges of normal society to focus on their own spiritual practice. Sadhus often take on pilgrimages to various religious festivals in both India and Nepal. The most celebrated festival of Sadhus in Nepal is Shivaratri. Shivaratri is held in honor of the Hindu deity Shiva.
Himalayan Cloud
Pashupatinath Temple is one of the biggest and most sacred Hindu temples of Lord Shiva in the world. It is located on the banks of the Bagmati River in the eastern part of Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. During the Shivaratri festival, the Pashupatinath temple glows with ghee lamps all night. Thousands of devotees take ritual baths in the Bagmati river on the day of the festival, and sages from all over Nepal and India come here to observe the festival Sadhus with their faces painted and bodies smeared with ash are seen meditating, fasting and smoking cannabis. They also offer ganja and bhang to people around them as Shiva’s prasad (Offerings)