Chinese New Year and amalagamation with Newari Culture of Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Patan celebrated on Wednesday at three different hours of the day. (Pic Credit: Bishal Shrestha, SATV)
Kathmandu, Feb 14: 2024 Chinese Lunar New Year meets with historical cultural Newari communities Hadigaun, Bhaktapur Durbar square and Patan Durbar Square on its fifth day of celebration. The dragon, lion and Kiring, Chinese mythical creatures which are regarded auspicious were paraded through all three state's doors of Kathmandu valley.
Chinese and Nepali (Newari in specific) cultural amalgamation events in all three districts of Kathmandu valley were organized in three different hours, throughout the whole day by Chinese Embassy in cooperation with Nepal Tourism Board and Chinese Overseas Association from very early morning.
The dragon dance, lion dance and Kiring dance were performed in all three districts. These dance is taken auspicious and almost compulsorily played for every auspicious occasion in China.
The first event was held in Hadigaun, Kathmandu. Hadigaun welcomed Ambassador of China to Nepal, His Excellency Chen Song and Deputy Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Sunita Dangol in an auspicious way by putting tika, black Bhadgaunle topi (cap) and traditional red necklace(Dhoja) on neck at the entrance of the community. This is the respectful gesture to welcome guests in Newar community on any auspicious occasion. The Newari flute was played as a welcome music.
Deputy Mayor, Ms. Sunita Dangol wishing the Basanta panchami and the spring festival to all the attendees, also expressed, "not just between two governments, but we expect the relationship would get elevated between two people of both nation".
His Excellency, Chen Song, the Chinese ambassador to Nepal, participated in three parades and gave a speech. He imparted his belief that this New Year's parade would give the general public and tourists a unique experience of the Chinese Spring Festival.
Likewise, the lion dance of Chinese and Lakhey dance of Newars were performed consequently which both were the vault of energetic presentation, showered a great applaud from the audience. Laakhey is another form of demon. One of the myths informs that the demon had fallen for a human girl and danced to please the society after his identity was revealed.
The second event at Bhaktapur Durbar Square, starting from one Pm continued for two hours straight. Mr. Sunil Prajapati, mayor of Bhaktapur Municipality was greatly honoured as a chief guest of the event celebrated in Bhaktapur Durbar Square.
Maakha Pyakha played by Bhaktapur young boys at the wide ground of Bhaktapur Durbar Square represented culture and religion at a same time resembling Hanuman in a dancing form. The dance is also popular in Bandipur performed by a migrated group of Bhaktapur.
Unique Devi dance, which included numerous characters was performed. 18 persons representing the town's guardian pantheon took part in the dance performance. Laakhey dance was also performed.
Bikash Man Shrestha, Chairman of Ward no 5 attended as a chief guest of the event organised in Patan Durbar Square.
Patan performed their guests with Newari cultural dances on Likka Woya and Sirsaya Hegu which was elegantly presented seemed to be enjoyed and appreciated by the crowd highly. The flute was played on a Newari song by a group of Newars on traditional Newari dress. Lakhey dance was also a highlight.
At this unusual and unique combination of the celebration of Chinese New year and Nepali Basanta panchami, the event was crowded with hundreds of visitors, passersby, locals and tourists while the cultural exchange between youths could also highly be noticed in spite of lingual differences.
The whole community dived to the ceremony. The ceremony was attended by hundreds of youths, Newari women and men in Newari attire in all three districts of the valley which reflects deep and rich culture of Newari community. Chinese culture in assemblance with Newari Culture released and aroused powerful positive wave around the whole Kathmandu Valley.
