The 15 little girls are waiting for the priest
to bless everything, including their new,
symbolic husband: a fruit. They run and play
in the courtyard, clothed in matrimonial
colours of red and gold. Over the next two
days, they will be showered with attention
and gifts, and there’s little reason not to
rejoice, for they’re married!
Unlike other cultures, Newari girls all
undergo conjugal rites that start in early
childhood and feature three rounds ofUnlike in many Asian societies, widowhood
is a foreign concept for Nepal’s most socially
advanced community. Born of an ancient custom
created to protect underage girls, women wed as
early as five and typically take three husbands
Newari Nuptials
THIRD TIME’S THE CHARM
below Purnima, 9, is
dressed for her wedding
to the Sun by her aunt
and cousin in Bhaktapurright Sujata and Shiva
surrounded by family
at their wedding in
Kathmanduright bottom Little
brides get their feet
painted in celebratory
red for the Ihi ceremonyText and Photos Elena del Estal
1st century
The Kirats migrate to
the Kathmandu Valley
where they form
Nepal Mandala5th century
The Licchavis of India
defeat the reigning
Kirati and found a
new kingdom13th century
By now, a large number of immigrants from India live
in the Kathmandu Valley and have assimilated into
Newar culture and language, in turn bringing Vedic
influences, Sanskrit languages and a caste system15th century
Newar arts’ golden age.
Each caste specialises in
a certain craft, and trade
with Tibet flourishesnewar nation: how it came to be
DATA SOURCES: PRAKRITI NEWARI CULTURE, BRITANNICA, BOSS NEPAL, PATH2NEPAL,
CHRISTOPH VON FURER-HAIMENDORF, BAL GOPAL SHRESTHA
culture