RE: NEPAL - Faces and Places compilation
What wonderful photos of some very beautiful people. I went to Pokhara a few years ago, and whenever I think of Nepal, I think of my time there, and the fine and decent people I met. I was living in India at the time, and I found the Nepalis to be a bit more laid back than the average Indian.
Interestingly, Nepal is the only country where Hinduism is the official religion. But, like Indians, they seem to have retained a somewhat Buddhist flavor to their Hinduism. Like the Indians, many of the Nepalis are quite poor, but I believe the caste system is less stifling in Nepal (if it even exists there).
Thanks for posting these great images. I've just started a 3-part series on The Colorful People of India, which you can check out at this link ... https://steemit.com/photography/@majes.tytyty/the-colorful-people-of-india-individuals-images-and-reality
My photos are basically snapshots, nothing like your fine portraits, but I hope you find them interesting.
Hi @majes.tytyty and thanks for your comments. I've actually not been to India (yet), but will check out your post as I find it interesting to learn about other expat's viewpoints and experiences in countries I have never set foot in.
My experience of religions in Nepal was similar to yours - everyone seems very tolerant of one another's beliefs. I mainly hung out with Newar people on my previous journey. They practice Tibetan Buddhism which has strong influences of Hinduism. I found the line between Hinduism and Buddhism to be quite blurred as well, not just within the individuals' ideologies but also in architectural structures. They seem to have understood the concept of harmony in their every day lives far better than us "westerners" have.
As for the caste system, it does exist, but I believe it is only followed by Hindus (which is the main part of the population). I did not dig deep enough into the caste subject as anything I ever learn about it makes me pull the hair out of my scalp! It is such a paradox to me. I find it hard to understand how such beautiful religions (and I'm not even religious) and philosophies can incorporate such aberrations.
I do believe there are some differences between the caste systems in India and Nepal. I am just hoping that these practices will slowly disappear into oblivion, never to return. Actually, not slowly, let's get that s*** out of here now!
In India, while most people are tolerant of others' beliefs, there are elements in power who use the differences to their advantage. (One such reprehensible man is Narendra Modi, who became PM about 2 years ago.)
So, as often happens in such situations, the people of various ethnicities and religions get along fine, until their leaders start screaming and instigating action. Then some of the people start acting, and then mob rule takes over.
I agree with your observation re Nepalis (and many Asians) understanding of the concept of harmony. Often when I meet Westerners nowadays, I find that their ego is so dominant that they cannot even realize that maybe the other person wants to say something, or needs to be heard, or needs some compassion, or just some space. Instead, it's just "ME," "ME."
When I first arrived in India, some Indian colleagues essentially told me that the caste system is history, but I soon saw / discovered / confirmed that that is not so. It's still there, and even though there are now laws against discrimination and there are certain "affirmative action" programs, caste remains a major issue in Indian society.
Let's hope that loathsome s***ty system is soon thrown onto the dustheap of history.
Interesting. So would you say that even though laws are being applied, the system has existed for so long and affected generation after generation that the general behaviours/"reflexes" of the people are to perpetuate these discriminations? As if it were engraved in their minds?
Where were you exactly in India? I hear the traditions vary greatly from South, North, East, West and am wondering if this neanderthalic caste system is followed in all parts of this vast country. Or is that maybe just for landscapes and dialects?
Yes, exactly. Such ingrained thoughts and behavior are not easily changed, and a few laws do not end the age-old discrimination and disparities. There has to be a concerted effort to overcome those horrors. And in India, there is NO such effort. Most people accept the situation cuz "That's the way it is, and always has been."
I was in Gurgaon, just 1 hour from New Delhi. The very wide central (West-to-East) corridor from Mumbai, thru Delhi, and on to Kolkata is largely Hindu-dominated, and yes, that's where the caste system seems to be worst. Just my observations, of course, but that's after living there for close to 4 years.
The people in the Himalayas and those way down south seemed less concerned with any caste differences, and I always enjoyed my travels there because of their more easy-going attitudes.
In Goa (which was ruled by the Portuguese until 1961!!), the people and culture are noticeably different. Great food and port wine, too. Also, the people from the far Northeast (Assam and surrounding regions) hardly even seem Indian. They look more oriental. And for some unknown reason, the seem to be better educated and more open to the outside world also. And they love music.
One more note. After 4 years in India, I spent 5 years in Singapore, which has a diverse population of Chinese, Malays, Tamil Indians, whiteys, and various other ethnicities and religions. But while racial tension and inequality remain in India (and the USA and other countries), they are virtually nonexistent in Singapore.
Singapore's founding father / leader Lee Kuan Yew essentially dictated, "Sorry, no discrimination, no fighting, and let's not just TRY to get along, let's make a special effort to get along and ensure that nothing and nobody stands in the way of a harmonious, multi-ethnic, multi-faith society."
Whereas India passed a few laws and then made little effort to overcome caste and other travesties, Singapore made a concerted, ongoing effort ... Oh, and passed a few laws to support that effort.
The result is that Singapore is the peak of civilization. It aint perfect, but it's closer to ideal than anywhere else I've ever been to or heard of.
Peace.
HA! PEACE OUT! *drops mic