Nepali Cultures

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The culture of Nepal is rich and unique, having evolved over centuries. This multi-dimensional heritage encompasses the diversity of Nepal’s ethnic, tribal, and social groups, and manifests in various forms such as music and dance, art and craft, folklore and folktales, languages and literature, philosophy and religion, festivals and celebrations, as well as foods and drinks. 

Legends state that dance in the Indian subcontinent originated in the abode of Lord Shiva — the Himalayas and the Himalayan Kingdom of Nepal — where he performed the tandava dance. This suggests that Nepal's dance traditions are ancient. Varying by altitude and ethnicity, Nepalese dances slightly differ in style and costume. The Dishka, a dance performed at weddings, features intricate footwork and arm movements. The accompanying music and instruments adapt to themes that revolve around topics such as crop harvesting, marriage rites, war stories, a lonely girl’s yearning for her love, and other tales from everyday village life.

As per the 2011 census, 123 languages are spoken in Nepal. Nepal’s linguistic heritage has evolved from three major language groups: Indo-Aryan, Tibeto-Burman, and indigenous languages. The major languages of Nepal, based on the percentage spoken as mother tongue, include Nepali (44.6%), Maithili (11.7%), Bhojpuri (6%), Tharu (5.8%), Tamang (5.1%), Nepal Bhasa (3.2%), Magar (3%), and Bajjika (3%).

Nepali, written in the Devanagari script, is the official national language and serves as the lingua franca among Nepal’s ethno-linguistic groups. The Maithili language, which originated in the Mithila region of Nepal, is one of the important languages of Nepal and Madhesh. Maithili is also spoken as a second language by many. Extinct languages in Nepal include Kusunda, Madhesiya, and Waling.

The 2001 census identified 80.6% of the population being Hindu. Buddhism was practiced by about 11% of the population (although many people labelled Hindu or Buddhist often practice a syncretic blend of Hinduism, Buddhism, and/or animist traditions). About 3.2% practice Islam and 3.6% of the population follows the indigenous Kirant religion. Christianity is practiced officially by less than 0.5%.

Hindu and Buddhist traditions in Nepal go back more than two millennia. In Lumbini, Buddha was born, and Pashupatinath temple, Kathmandu, is an old and famous Shiva temple of Hindus. Nepal has several other temples and Buddhist monasteries, as well as places of worship of other religious groups. Traditionally, Nepalese philosophical thoughts are ingrained with the Hindu and Buddhist philosophical ethos and traditions, which include elements of Kashmir Shaivism, Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism, works of Karmacharyas of Bhaktapur, and tantric traditions. Tantric traditions are deep rooted in Nepal, including the practice of animal sacrifices. Five types of animals, always male, are considered acceptable for sacrifice: water buffalo, goats, sheep, chickens, and ducks. Cows are very sacred animals and are never considered acceptable for sacrifice.