Cross Cultural Learning Point – Nepal

1. Brahmin
2. Chhetri
3. Baishya
4. Sudra

Family Names

Brahmin

• Adhikari
• Aryal
• Acharya
• Bhattarai
• Bhatta
• Chiwal
• Dahal
• Dhakal
• Gautam
• Kandel
• Khaliwada
• Khanal
• Kharel
• Nepal
• Niraula
• Neupane
• Ojha
• Pandey
• Pokhrel
• Paudel
• Regmi
• Risal
• Rijal
• Subedi
• Sapkota

Chhetri

• Bista
• Basnyat
• Bhandari
• Budhathoki
• Chand
• Deuba
• Karki
• Khatri(KC)
• Khadka
• Rana
• Shah
• Singh
• Thakuri
• Thapa

Newar

• Bajracharya
• Dangol
• Gurbacharya
• Joshi
• Karmacharya
• Karranjit
• Kashpal
• Maharjan
• Mathema
• Pradhan
• Rajbhandari
• Raghubansi
• Shrestha
• Tuladhar
• Tamrakar

Dalit

• Bishwakarma (Blacksmith)
• Damai (Tailor)
• Gaine (Traditional Singer)
• Gajmer
• Nepali
• Pariyaar
• Rasaili
• Sarki (Cobbler)
• Sunar
• Sunam

Dalit (only found in terai region)

• Bansphor
• Badhai
• Chidimar
• Dhobi
• Dhawal
• Dum/Mehattar
• Harijan
• Jolaha
• Kahar
• Kujada
• Musahar
• Majhi
• Mallaha
• Paswan
• Teli

Ethnic Groups

Gurung

• Ghale
• Lama
• Lamichhane
• Ghodane

Magar

• Ale
• Khapangi
• Rana
• Thapa
• Pulami
• Pun

Rai

• Bangdel
• Bantawa
• Chamling
• Channasisa
• Khaling
• Thulung

Thakali

• Bhattachan
• Gauchan
• Hirachan
• Lalchan
• Tulachan
• Sherchan

Limbu

• Angdambe
• Chemjong
• Lingden
• Mabuhang
• Sumbhahamphe
• Subba
• Thumbahamphe
• Thebe
• Tembe

Tamang

• Bomjan
• Ghising
• Yonjan
• Gole
• Moktan

VSO Volunteers Nov'2008 Group

After many, many attempts via slow computer networks and even dial-up Internet accoess (yes, Internet dial-up using 28.8 kbps is still a reality here), I have successfully uploaded a 25-minute video of our time here in Nepal during VSO’s in-country-training program.

In this video (hosted by Vimeo) you will find photos and video footage of our arrival and first night in Kathmandu, our welcome party at the VSO Nepal office, Nepali language and cultural classes, our first walk through Thamel Market, the sights at Swayambhunath Stupa, our time in Chetana Kendra, life changing moments during our village stay in Chankhu Besi, our visit to Pashupatinath, Nepali food cooking class, and our last day with our Nepali gurus.

Not only do I have fond memories of our journeys but I also really enjoyed making this video for my new friends. We have all shared a unique experience together that we will never forget. So without further ado, here are our personal memories…

It’s “only” been a little over 4 months, but of course it feels like ages since we left home. Both the shreemati and I are pretty much settled and adjusted to the Nepali culture, lifestyle, and language.

Without a doubt, we are learning new Nepali sabda’s (words) and phrases a day. Most of the time we have already heard them before but are hearing them again in a new context for the first time. Before coming to Nepal, we brought a few language resources with us but in retrospect some have been useful and some have been sitting on our bookshelf collecting dust. Finally, we were provided with a few great resources by our Nepali CLP guru’s as well (which in fact are THE BEST Nepal language resource – ask Udaya to mail one out to you).

Below are a list of books/resources that we are using (and not really using) to date.

• Lonely Planet Nepali Phrase Book – this little handy book is great to keep with you in your day pack when ever you are roaming or traveling around. There are many sections that contain phrases relating to going out, sight seeing, making small-talk with people you have just met, emergency situations, as well as a small dictionary/index in the back for commonly used words. However, I personally would use this book only as a guide and for situations when you really need to get a point/concept across. One of my Nepali guru’s quickly flipped through the book and found that some of the phrases and words used are quite formal and slightly out-of-sync in relation to “everyday” Nepali.
• Ratna’s Basic Nepali Dictionary is a great resource and right on the ball with most English to Nepali and Nepali to English word translations. There are no phrases in the book but nonetheless would make a great companion to the Lonely Planet Nepali Phrase Book.
• Teach Yourself Nepali Complete Course (Book + 2CDs) by Michael Hutt and Abhi Subedi is a great resource to have but to be honest it has been collecting dust on our book shelf. After 6 weeks of Nepali class, I couldn’t really dive back into self-learning more Nepali. I had a brief flip through the book and listened to some of the tracks on the CD. The examples and conversation scenarios are really well done.