Nepali & Bhutanese Culture
Introduction:
Nepal is the home to Mount Everest and is located on the continent of Asia. It is important to note that many refugees in Syracuse, NY that identify as Nepali are actually from Bhutan. The Bhutanese refugees came to resettle in Syracuse, NY in 2008. Currently, more than 2,500 Bhutanese refugees call Syracuse their home.
History:
Bhutan was once a place of medieval warlords, feuds, and giant castles/fortresses. It was once rooted in a hereditary monarchy and was very isolated. In fact, World War II affected the country little due to its isolation. During this time, Bhutan signed a treaty to be independent from India and with this India agreed not to be involved with much of the internal affairs, but Bhutan did agree to be guided during external relations. In 1961 and with a new king, Bhutan was lifted out of its "medieval" heritage and with that they were no longer isolated. In fact, until the 1960s Bhutan did not have things like: telephones, a national currency, and postal service. With an increase in modernization, it did remain devout to its national identity. Eventually under a new King, international press was allowed into the country for the first time in 1974 and there was a new emphasis on becoming modern. During the 20th century, Nepali speakers came to settle in parts of Bhutan. Some Nepali's asserted that they faced discrimination. In 1950, the Bhutanese government eventually took steps to integrate the ethnic Nepalis and for the first time they were granted citizenship, represented in the National Assembly, admitted into the bureaucracy and Nepali was taught as a third language in primary schools in southern Bhutan. In the 1980s, the government began to focus on Bhutan's identity. The country introduced a certain type of dress for citizens to wear and eliminated the speaking of Nepali in schools and with this resentment began to occur. In 1988, Bhutan's government completed a census to target illegal immigrants in the country. The Nepali who had arrived before 1958 often lacked the proper documentation. This resulted in a series of violent acts including robberies, assaults, rape, and murder primarily against the Bhutanese of Nepali descent. Thus the movement back to Nepal began. It is said that 80,000 descendants were housed in seven camps in Nepal in 1992 and by the end of 2005 over 100,000 people lived in these camps (one source states that 10-15% of the people in the camps were born there).
Flag, Clothes, & More:
Rice is often served multiple times during the day and often with some sort of vegetable. In many cases, the people of Nepal will eat with their hands, unless the have been exposed to Western culture and have utensils available.
For more in depth information, please visit:
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/bhutan/history
http://www.everyculture.com/Ma-Ni/Nepal.html
Nepal is the home to Mount Everest and is located on the continent of Asia. It is important to note that many refugees in Syracuse, NY that identify as Nepali are actually from Bhutan. The Bhutanese refugees came to resettle in Syracuse, NY in 2008. Currently, more than 2,500 Bhutanese refugees call Syracuse their home.
History:
Bhutan was once a place of medieval warlords, feuds, and giant castles/fortresses. It was once rooted in a hereditary monarchy and was very isolated. In fact, World War II affected the country little due to its isolation. During this time, Bhutan signed a treaty to be independent from India and with this India agreed not to be involved with much of the internal affairs, but Bhutan did agree to be guided during external relations. In 1961 and with a new king, Bhutan was lifted out of its "medieval" heritage and with that they were no longer isolated. In fact, until the 1960s Bhutan did not have things like: telephones, a national currency, and postal service. With an increase in modernization, it did remain devout to its national identity. Eventually under a new King, international press was allowed into the country for the first time in 1974 and there was a new emphasis on becoming modern. During the 20th century, Nepali speakers came to settle in parts of Bhutan. Some Nepali's asserted that they faced discrimination. In 1950, the Bhutanese government eventually took steps to integrate the ethnic Nepalis and for the first time they were granted citizenship, represented in the National Assembly, admitted into the bureaucracy and Nepali was taught as a third language in primary schools in southern Bhutan. In the 1980s, the government began to focus on Bhutan's identity. The country introduced a certain type of dress for citizens to wear and eliminated the speaking of Nepali in schools and with this resentment began to occur. In 1988, Bhutan's government completed a census to target illegal immigrants in the country. The Nepali who had arrived before 1958 often lacked the proper documentation. This resulted in a series of violent acts including robberies, assaults, rape, and murder primarily against the Bhutanese of Nepali descent. Thus the movement back to Nepal began. It is said that 80,000 descendants were housed in seven camps in Nepal in 1992 and by the end of 2005 over 100,000 people lived in these camps (one source states that 10-15% of the people in the camps were born there).
Flag, Clothes, & More:
Rice is often served multiple times during the day and often with some sort of vegetable. In many cases, the people of Nepal will eat with their hands, unless the have been exposed to Western culture and have utensils available.
For more in depth information, please visit:
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/bhutan/history
http://www.everyculture.com/Ma-Ni/Nepal.html