Nepalese People And Lifestyle

People in Nepal commonly welcome you by Namaste as a traditional salute (means I salute the divine in you) which is widely used in the most part of country. About 23 million Nepalese are made of 69 different cultural and linguistic group also known as ethnic groups living in different, regions of the country. Mostly each ethnic group has their own unique costumes, speak their own languages or dialects, and follow their own religious practices. They live under different diverse geographic and ecological orientations, from the low plains near the Indian border, northward through the middle hills of Mahabharat range and valleys, and up to the high plain valleys of the Himalayan zone.

However globalization has pushed innovation effects to the Nepalese society which has brought many infrastructural developments like extension of roads, new buildings, modern education system, rapid innovation of information technology and Internet access. More and more Nepalese, especially young folks speak Nepali and fluent English language, dresses western style clothes most of the time and generally relate to the outside world.

Unity, even in diversity has been the hallmark of Nepali society and it must be preserved. The most effective way of doing this is to adopt a multi-ethnic basis to federalism. Though Nepal is a veritable mosaic of dozens of ethnic groups, they are bound together by their loyalty to the institution of Monarchy, and by the ideas of peaceful coexistence and religious tolerance to form one unified nation.

Table: Nepalese major ethnic groups (2001)

Ethnic group	No. of persons
Brahman	2.896.477
Chhetri	3.593.496
Chepang	52.237
Gurung	543.571
Kami	901.536
Limbu	359.379
Muslim	971.056
Magar	1.662.241
Newar	1.245.232
Rai	635.151
Raute	658
Sherpa	15.462
Tharu	1.533.879
Thakuri	334.120
Thakali	12.973
Tamang	1.282.304
Yadav	882.778
Others	7.577.183