On May 29 each year, the Nepalese community in New Zealand comes together to celebrate Everest Day.
This special day commemorates the historic first ascent of Mt Everest on May 29, 1953, achieved by Tenzing Norgay Sherpa from Nepal and Sir Edmund Hillary from New Zealand.
Everest Day is not just about acknowledging this remarkable achievement, but also about celebrating the friendship between Nepal and New Zealand, united by a shared passion for mountaineering and tourism.
I've had the privilege of calling Aotearoa, the land of the long white cloud, my second home for the past 10 years.
I hail from Pokhara, a vibrant city in central Nepal known as the gateway to popular Himalayan trails like Machhapuchre, Annapurna, Dhawalagiri, and the adventurous Seti River for rafting.
The transition to Ōtepōti Dunedin felt seamless for me because Mt Cargill's presence here reminds me of my hills, hiking trails, narrow roads, Leith River, cultural diversity, and the deep connection to nature that I cherish.
Besides celebrating the iconic Everest ascent, I want to explore various facets that bridge our cultures despite the considerable geographical distance between our countries — 12,073 kilometres. I am intrigued by the similarities in our traditional houses, meeting spaces (whare and wharenui), carving techniques (whakairo), musical instruments (puoro), and proverbs (whakataukī).
Culture is the essence of beliefs, values, practices, and norms that shape a society. It shapes how we perceive the world and interact with others, influencing our identity and world view.
Nepalese and Māori cultures boast a vibrant and unique blend of art, traditional values, performances, and spiritual perspectives on the universe. Let's delve into some fascinating parallels between Nepalese and Māori cultures.
Worship of natural elements
Both Nepalese and Māori cultures respect natural elements, attributing divine significance to earth, sky, water, air, and fire. In Nepalese tradition, the worship of the god/dess representing these five elements, known as "Pancha Mahabhuta", reflects a deep spiritual connection with nature. The god/desses are Bhudevi, Dyaus, Varuna, Vayudev, and Agnidev for the earth, sky, water, air and fire, respectively. Similarly, Māori gods like Papatūānuku (Earth mother), Ranginui (Sky father), Tangaroa (God of the Sea), Tāwhirimātea (God of Weather), and Mahuika/Auahitūroa (Gods of Fire) embody the elements and their vital roles in life.
Musical heritage
Nepalese and Māori musical traditions showcase a diverse array of instruments that echo nature's rhythms and cultural narratives. Instruments like the flute (kōauau, bansuri) and the conch shells (pūtātara, Sankha) resonate with spirituality and storytelling and contribute to the diverse and vibrant musical landscape of Nepal, reflecting the cultural diversity and traditions of different regions within the country.
Language and sounds
The formal language of any culture evolves from oral traditions passed down through generations.
Despite their geographical separation, I've discovered striking phonetic similarities between Nepalese and te reo Māori vowels and consonants.
Nepalese language has a total of 14 independent vowels.
Among them, 10 vowels sound similar; five Māori vowels (a ,e ,i, o, u) sound similar to Nepalese, as do the other five Māori vowels (ā ,ē , ī, ō, ū). Eight Māori consonants ((k, m, n, p, r, t, wh, n) are also similar to Nepalese consonants.
This linguistic connection fosters a sense of familiarity and mutual understanding.
Architecture
Traditional Nepalese houses (whare) and Māori meeting houses (wharenui) share commonalities in their construction materials and cultural significance.
In addition, there is a temple (whare tapu) within the meeting house for prayers (karakia) where everyone belonging to a particular group comes together once every year or on special occasions.
Both serve as communal spaces for gatherings and ceremonies and for preserving cultural heritage. The intricate carved meeting houses (whare whakairo) adorning these structures are symbolic of ancestral connections and cultural identity.
Proverbs and cultural wisdom
Proverbs (whakataukī) in Māori and Nepalese cultures encapsulate timeless wisdom and cultural values, offering insights into shared human experiences and aspirations. They serve as guiding principles, fostering resilience, unity, and respect within communities.
Among many whakataukī, my personal favourite is "Nāu te rourou nāku te rourou, ka ora ai te iwi". The underlying metaphors convey the essence of collaboration and a strengths-oriented mindset which are akin to those observed in Nepal.
Connection with nature and mental wellbeing
Both cultures emphasise a deep connection with nature and its role in mental well-being. Practices like paying homage to nature's elements and seeking spiritual guidance reflect a harmonious relationship with the environment, promoting holistic health and cultural sustainability.
Despite the distance between Nepal and Aotearoa, our commonalities create a fabric of mutual understanding, respect, and admiration. As a tāngata tiriti embracing a bicultural and multicultural identity, I believe in fostering meaningful connections and celebrating diversity.
Culture serves as a bridge that surpasses barriers, promoting shared learning, unity, as well as a sense of belonging.
Let us cherish our cultural heritage, embrace our differences, and celebrate the humanity that unites us all.
- Ashik Banstola is a postdoctoral fellow in the anatomy department of the University of Otago.
