The Newar

Namaste, Jojolapa!!!!

I am really excited to share about my culture i.e. NEWAR. because today is our new year, Nepal sambat 1138. I hope the things I share will be helpful to everyone to know very closely about Newar.

Origin of Newar

The terms "Nepal" and "Newar" are phonetically different forms of the same word. Nepal is the learned Sanskrit form and Newar is the colloquial Prakrit form. A Sanskrit inscription dated 512 AD found in Tistung, a valley to the west of Kathmandu, contains the phrase “greetings to the Nepal” indicating that the term "Nepal" was used to refer to both the country and the people. The term "Newar" referring to "inhabitant of Nepal" appeared for the first time in an inscription dated 1654 AD in Kathmandu. Nepal is also said to be the same word as Newar Napa. (google)

The Newa are the indigenous people and the creators of the historical civilization of Nepal's Kathmandu valley. The valley and surrounding territory have been known from ancient times as Nepal Mandala, its limits ever changing through history. Newars have lived in the Kathmandu Valley since prehistoric times, and immigrants that arrived at different periods in its history eventually merged with the local population by adopting their language and customs. 

The Beginning of a new Era

Before Nepal Sambat during 1802 B.S, during the regime of King Raghav Dev in Bhaktapur, the economy of the state was poor whole nation was going through devastating situation. Then one of the priest suggested King Raghav Dev to send few people to Kathmandu to bring sand from Lakha Tritha a small river near the Bishnumati river which will turn into gold overnight.

This way Sankhardhar Sakhawa freed the people of Bhaktapur from their debts and started a new era Nepal Sambat.

Bikram sambat was started by king Bikram Aditya of Ujjain one of the city of India which follows solar calendar. B.S has been named after him where as Nepal sambat is Lunar calendar. All the jatras, festivals celebrated by Hindu fall according to the Lunar movement. Later both solar and lunar calendar has been merged together, the calendar we use today.

Since Nepal Sambat follows the lunar system, it is the window for Nepalis to determine cultural events, including the biggest festival of Nepali Dashain, Tihar.

SCRIPTS (Lipi)

• Nepali scripts- 13 total (12-main, 1- modified)
• Newa scripts- 9 total such as Ranjana Lipi, Prachalit Lipi, Bhuji Lipi etc

Ranjana Lipi is a writing system developed in the 11th century. It is primarily used for writing the Newar language but is also used in Buddhist monasteries in  Nepal, India, China, Mongolia, and Japan. It is normally written from left to right but the Kutakshar form is written from top to bottom. It is also considered to be the standard Nepali calligraphic script which hold second position in the world of script.

Vowels

a अ	aḥ अः	ā आ	āḥ आः	i इ	ī ई	u उ	ū ऊ	ṛ ऋ	ṝ ॠ
ḷ ऌ	ḹ ॡ	e ए	ai ऐ	o ओ	au औ	å अँ	aṃ अं	aī अय्	a:j आय्	aĪ एय्

Consonants

k क	kh ख	g ग	gh घ	ṅ ङ
c च	ch छ	j ज	jh झ	ñ ञ
ṭ ट	ṭh ठ	ḍ ड	ḍh ढ	ṇ ण
t त	th थ	d द	dh ध	n न
p प	ph फ	b ब	bh भ	m म
y य	r र	l ल	v व
ś श	ṣ ष	s स	h ह

kṣ क्ष

tr त्र

jñ ज्ञ

HONOR 

In 1999 B.S, the government declared Sankhadhar Sakhwa as one of the National heroes of Nepal.

On 26 October 2003, the Department of Postal Service issued a commemorative postage stamp depicting Sankhadhar Sakhwa's portrait.

In 2007 B.S Nepal sambat was recognized as National calendar.

              We Newar are very rich in culture because of their unique living life style. From the birth of child to the death of the man there are several ritual customs family gatherings  which are very unique. The way of living and the celebration of different festivals which binds the newar peoples  with each other. (which I will be writing in my next post)

The Newa culture is very vast and it consists of many caste each with different culture, tradition and their own values. The unique culture and tradition of  have been recognized all around the world and has gained overwhelming respect of all.

Happy New Year 1138

Subhaya!!!! (Thank you)

Goodnight..