The 120+ Cultures of Nepal

It’s a mind-bending number, but the tiny country of Nepal is home to more than 100 unique tribes, ethnic groups, religious sects, and castes. In fact, we don’t have enough English words to fully categorize all the different peoples. What’s more amazing is they all speak as many unique languages. Not dialects, but actual languages.

For such a small country it seems unlikely so many cultures could retain their identity, but two powerful forces have made that possible. For starters, Nepalis are steadfast. Some might say headstrong, or even stubborn. It’s that resistance to change that has served as a cultural preservative. Many would agree geography played its part as well.

With the Himalayas defining the northern border, Nepal is a land of mountains, glaciers, and rivers. Those rivers cut deep chasms throughout the countryside and for centuries separated communities within shouting distance of each other. There are stories of villages on either side of a raging river that for 200 years had no idea they spoke different languages until the first bridges were put in place.

So who are these different people? There are two distinct influences on the composition of Nepal’s population with the Indo-Aryan people to the south and the Tibeto-Burman people of the mountainous north.

These are people from Kathmandu of the Newar culture. Known as the poets, architects, artists, traders, and entrepreneurs of the Kathmandu valley, much of the city wears the influences of the Newars.

Hindus

Roughly 70% of Nepalis are of the Hindu faith which is attributed to their Indian neighbors to the south. The centuries old history of Nepal is heavily influenced by the Hindu kings that transitioned from the lowlands into the foothills.

Buddhists

Not many people realize Lord Buddha was born in what is now modern Nepal in 623 BC. While Buddhism is practiced in the lowlands and mid-hill cities like Kathmandu, it is largely the religion of the mountain peoples, particularly those who transitioned into Nepal from Tibet. Today 25% of Nepalis are Buddhists.

Sherpas

We often hear the term Sherpa used within the context of mountaineering expeditions as synonymous with helper or some sort of trusted servant. The Sherpa are a specific ethnic group originally from the Tibetan Himalayas. As mountain people they have always been experts in Himalayan travel which is why they have done well with mountaineering as a common profession. It is a beautiful culture most associated with the Khumbu Valley of the Everest region.

Newar

A walk through Kathmandu always reveals a beautiful age of artistry, particularly with wood carving and stone sculptures. The small group of people known as the Newars have always been associated with a refined dedication to art, architecture, trade, business, education, and of course — food. Everyone loves having a Newari friend when the foods of festival season start making the rounds. Prolific traders throughout the centuries, even today many businesses attribute their success to Newar management.

Magar

The mid-hills or Sivalik foothills are filled with dozens of interesting people. Hindu in faith, they have a mix of interesting cultural traditions and customs influenced by those who pass through the hills.

Tharu

It’s hard to believe people like the high mountain Sherpas share the same country with the lowland Tharu. It’s all part of the amazing diversity of Nepal. Another gorgeous culture with vibrant costumes and customs, they live in the jungled flats along the Indian border where they cohabitate with Bengal tigers, elephants, and rhinos. When you think of the people in Kipling’s Jungle Book, those are similar people to the Tharu.

Thakali

Like the Sherpa, the people of the Mustang Valley are of Tibetan lineage in both genetics and culture. Because the Mustang Valley was the gateway between India and Tibet, the Thakali learned to be savvy traders and hospitality experts. Today on our Far Xplorer trips we know where to find a great meal. We look for the iconic cookware of the Thakali.

Raute

This small tribe of nomadic people, once counted in the thousands, may have gone extinct in just the last two years. Our Far Xplorer founder, a professional journalist by trade, embarked on an expedition to locate the elusive Raute in the far western reaches of Nepal. Weary of outsiders, they often remain hidden in the rugged hills where they live with forest spirits. We hope to find them again someday, but the Raute Nomads of Nepal may be gone forever.

On any given Far Xplorer trip, our travelers interact with as many as two dozen different peoples in Nepal. That includes Chhetri, Brahman, Rai, Pun Magar, Gurung, Tamang, and many more.

Nepal is one of few places on earth where you can round a turn and discover an entirely different culture with unique foods, language, and dress, then round another turn, to do it all over again.

At Far Xplorer, we know most people come to Nepal to see big mountains. They return to experience more of the many exotic cultures. It doesn’t hurt that all of these people, regardless of their culture, are some of the nicest in the world.