Ensuring Dignity Of Each Culture

Nepal as the heartland of the Himalayas has always remained a land of diverse people and culture. The ethno-cultural process has undergone modifications in different historical epochs, resulting in the evolution of multi-ethnic and multi-cultural society. The historical trends and dimensions manifest that the three main socio-cultural streams, consisting of the Newar based in the Kathmandu Valley, the parbate or pahadi (hill people) of the more rugged hills and the ethnic people of different isolated pockets, have contributed for the evolution of society and culture. The presence of different racial elements points towards a pluralistic culture producing its own habit and social rules throughout the centuries by means of slow, unceasing process of selection and growth of complexity.

Hinduism and Buddhism, as the bases of Nepali culture, have been adapted to the tribal shamanistic/animistic tradition in accordance with the taste and genius of the native population. But in many cases, Hinduism as religious ideology of ruling elites has considerably influenced various ethnic groups against their taste and interest. However, being closely associated with the ethnic people, both Hindus and Buddhists made themselves flexible with the need of time and space. 

Continuity and change

Nepali culture has passed through various changes with strong emphasis on continuity. Culture itself is a process through which people with different social and cultural backgrounds modify themselves to suit the need of new situation and realities. All cultures change through time as a result of the transmission, among those who carry them, and through the association and interaction among the people of different social backgrounds. In a country like Nepal, where there are people belonging to different caste and communities, the exchange of ideas and cultures becomes more congenial. The social and cultural changes may be observed in cultural affinity even though all culture groups show marked differences and tend to have remained enclosed within their own boundary. 

The fast emerging towns or cities have become the focal points for the innovation and creation of distinct spiritual-cultural forces of a new society. Nepali cities as the centres of attraction for the people of different ethno-cultural backgrounds present the heterogeneity of population and diversity of social tradition and customs. The large economic opportunities generated in the cities have encouraged certain changes in the traditional socio-cultural relation of the town population. The changed occupational pattern also shapes the culture of people. 

The presence of various social and cultural groups in the city provides ample opportunity to contact and interact with the people of different backgrounds that bring about significant changes in the life-style and behaviour of the people of different cultures. Its impact on the socio-cultural life of the city resulted in more exposure, contact and interaction with foreign people and also among various communities who have different role to play in the urban system. Besides, the changing life style and new outlook of the Nepali cities have also greatly inspired the transformation of tradition bound rural culture.

Cultural assimilation and syncretism as well as persistence can specially be observed in those cities where different ethnic and caste groups collide together or co-exist. Thus, the city or the urban complex generates a new way of life of the people with different socio-cultural settings developing their own strategy for cultural persistence and adaptation in order to cope with the new dynamics. Even though the process of assimilation may be observed in Nepal, this does not necessarily lead to the creation of fully homogenous social and cultural setting. Despite involving in the process of adaptation and acculturation, all caste and communities are found tending to form group itself showing as a separate system. As a matter of fact, different cultural groups with their long-standing tradition did not disappear but reappear in a modified form. 

Melting pot 

With the emergence of democracy and democratic institutions, the ethnic awareness has been increased which contributed to dismantling of the rigid caste system. Many ethnic groups have also raised their voices for cultural reorientation. The trend of forming and strengthening the association clustering of each culture group seems to have gained momentum for the last few years. In this context, neither the assimilation process is moving ahead with speed nor does it show any symptom of cultural segregation. But it is not a surprising fact that every community and culture finds security in conforming to the standard of its value system, which seems to change more slowly than other aspects of culture.  

Nepal represents various ethnic, religious, linguistic-cultural traditions, creating and promoting a "melting pot" without losing a group specific cultural character. Plurality that characterises multi-cultural society has the potentials to play a model for co-existence and combination among the diverse communities. Plurality with the spirit of inter-cultural exchanges and peaceful intra-culture/group relation will definitely generate and sustain positive processes to preserve the cultural inheritance in its multiple forms and manifestations.  The only prerequisite for this to happen is to create the atmosphere of providing equal respect, dignity and protection for each cultural group in the country.

(The author is a former associate professor of Archaeology and Culture at Tribhuvan University)