Getting to Know You

My partner's name is Suresh Tamang and he is a doctoral student at the UH School of Social Work. His last name represents his Tibeto origin. He lives here with his wife Ekta, and his daughter Menjam. He is part of the Tibeto Burmese subgroups in Nepal (in which his ancestors originating from the North area of Nepal). Although half the country is Hindu, Suresh practices the ways of Tibetan Buddhist culture and rituals.

Getting to Know Nepal

  From this project I learned a lot about Nepal's rich history and culture. They are a country full of tradition and a unique form of civilization. From their architecture, to their Himalayan terrain, Nepal holds a very special gathering of people. My partner Suresh and I then discussed the proverb "Char Jat Chhatis Barna ko Fulbari" which translates into "a patch motlayed with multi colored tints". This proverb represents Nepal because of the many diverse ethnic and religious groups in the country. Like Hawaii, Nepal is a mixing pot, and contains many different "tints" due to its geographical location between India and China. Thus, this leads into the symbol of the light of Asia, Lord Buddha. This represents one of the main, but many religious beliefs in Nepal. Nepal was a sacred place for Buddha being that it was his origins and birthplace.

Getting To Know Your Culture

    
http://www.youtube.com/v/Lh-H_Z_WQOQ&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0

Getting To Know Your Country

Climate: varies from cool summers and severe winters in north to subtropical summers and mild winters in south

Terrain: Tarai or flat river plain of the Ganges in south, central hill region, rugged Himalayas in north

Population: 28,563,377

Religions: Hindu 80.6%, Buddhist 10.7%, Muslim 4.2%, Kirant 3.6%, other 0.9%

Arresting God in Kathmandu

My project book is called Arresting God in Kathmandu. This book, written by the native Nepali author Samrat Upadhyah, deals with the struggles of different Nepalese citizens. As they struggles to find their place in this transitioning traditional to modern Nepal, they are faced with dilemmas of love, family and religion.

Area:150.67 sq. Kilometers

Population:I million approx

Location:Kathmandu is situated in the Central Nepal amid Himalayas.

Longitude:85.22 to 85.36° East

Latitude:23.43 to 23.71.02° North

Climate of Kathmandu:Summer 36°C to 22°C, Winter 18 °C to 0 °C

Must Visits:Boudhnath and Swyambhunath Stupas.

Language spoken:Nepalese, Newari and Maithali

Dear Nepal, Sincerely Hawaii

We stand here in Hawaii, our land of blue skies and seas, benevolent trade winds, and perfect paradises known to the world as the infamous retreat and vacation location. We stand here in our immaculate world, most of us never truly reaching for the edges that confine us to our postcard world. We hold this perfect paradise postcard of Hawaii in our hands; so blessed and eminent. We never want to send it, but rather keep gazing at the glossy waves washing up on the cardstock. But perhaps though the picture on the postcard is the world’s yearning fantasy, it is the words on the back of the postcard that truly matter.
What I mean by stating, “Hawaii is a postcard”, is that most of us here in Hawaii don’t realize what a “perfect” world we live in and how lucky we are to live here in the paradise of the islands. What I think we must come to realize is that however perfect our own world may be, it is crucial that we reach beyond our sandy shores, across the waters of our world, to venture in the minds and cultures of other places. These places, though different in so many ways, might be closer to home than one may perceive. Through the communications of this dialogue project, I was able to connect with not only a denizen of Nepal, but the country of Nepal as well.
When I first learned that I would be having a conversation with a person from Nepal, the first thought that popped in my mind was “I wonder if that’s in the Middle East…” To my surprise (mainly from my lack of geographical knowledge), I soon learned that Nepal was in Asia, and somewhat engulfed by the two neighboring powerhouse countries of China and India. This geographical inundation of Nepal could perhaps be the reason why not only me, but all my “astute Punahou friends and classmates” that I asked, did not know where Nepal was exactly.
Although being somewhat washed out by these two dominant countries, it also means Nepal is swimming in influences of cultures from both China and India. Thus making Nepal a land of multiple ethnicities, religions, and practices. This fact is what holds the connection between Hawaii and Nepal’s similarities. Growing up in Hawaii, everyone knows the proclaimed title that we are “the melting pot”, meaning that we are a land of diversity and many different types of people. This holds true to Nepal as well because of their diversity in ethnicity, culture, and religion due to the infusion of China meeting India amongst the native Nepal civilization. It is because of this infusion that Nepal possesses so many different types of people. The person I am communicating with specifically is named Suresh Tamang. Suresh is from Nepal, but is currently studying at UH as a doctoral student in Hawaii and is here with his wife and daughter.
One of the first things Suresh and I discussed was our ethnic backgrounds. Suresh’s surname “Tamang” derives from his Tibetan origin. Specifically he is a part of the Tibeto-Burmese subgroup hailing from the north, which is one of the many subgroups of Nepal. After the initial confusion of thinking that because my last name was Tsuchiya, therefore I must be of Thai decent, I explained to him that I am not only Japanese, but Okinawan, Korean, Irish, Cherokee Indian, and German as well. This produced the response that he thinks it is great that we contain a multitude of ethnicities, but “we are all human ultimately, and [he] thinks we have to respect all equally”. This statement of Suresh’s truly rings genuine in my heart as well, especially because we both come from such diverse and unique civilizations.
There are over 60 ethnic and indigenous groups in Nepal, which is similar to our melting pot of cultures in Hawaii. “Char Jat Chhatis Barna ko Fulbari” translates to “A patch motlayed with multicolored tints”. I think that when Suresh gave this proverb to me as a representation of Nepal, it was meant to showcase the fact that though Nepal is but a small “patch” of land, it obtains many “tints” or cultures of people. I found this also very similar not only to Nepal, but to Hawaii as well because our island chain is also very small and patch-like, yet contains a large amount of cultures.
Besides the fact that Nepal and Hawaii are similar in aspects, there are also some differences that make Nepal and Hawaii variant. In Hawaii, being that we are a part of the United States, a country that has overcome its predicaments in the issue of women’s rights. Nepal on the other hand is still in the process of adjusting to a more gender-equal world. After researching this topic, I found out that Nepal is one of the only countries to have a significantly shorter life expectancy of women, as a result of under privileges and poverty.
According to the United Nations Development Program, women in Nepal suffer from many disadvantages of the society because of gender-biased practices. Nepalese women have fewer resources than men, don’t control property rights and are limited healthcare and education. It is these injustices that make me realize how much I appreciate being a girl in America. I think that sometimes we take advantage of what previous figures in history have fought for, in order for us today to obtain justice. Once we, the fortunate, can accept this revelation of appreciation we can create pathways to those who are less blessed. We have so many opportunities here, and I think that if we were able to be thankful for these freedoms, then it would be easier for us to reach out of our perfect lives and try to abolish the injustices to women in countries like Nepal.
As Suresh said prior: “ultimately, we are all human”. So I believe that ultimately, a female here in Hawaii, is no different, not better nor worst, than a female living in Nepal. Yet why is it that the opportunities and obstacles granted to us are so different? I am so lucky that the biggest challenge I face on a day-to-day basis is my homework, and it saddens me to realize that a girl in Nepal would give anything for education, yet alone to be ridden the burdens of sex-trafficking and poverty of women. I am all for celebrating our differences and unique attributes, but this is the difference of culture that matters most to me.
All in all, Nepal and Hawaii are closely similar and yet also very distant. We are similar in that fact that we share the element of portraying many different cultures; but the cultures that we contain are very different. By learning to compare and contrast these differences and similarities, we are able to grasp and appreciate not only a new and exotic culture, but our own culture of home as well. So standing here in my postcard perfect world, I realize that even though the address I send my words to are so far away, the emotions felt are akin to those at home.

Talking With Suresh!

Aloha and Namaste!

Glad to learn that you are my dialogue partner, I just got other e-mails that someone has been allocated, and that is YOU!!!. However, not yet received the details about how the project goes, don't worry I will try my best and hope to learn form you (Reciprocity) too.

Well, I am SURESH, my surname is 'Tamang', has a long history coming from a Tibeto origin ( I will probably tell you later). I am a doctoral student at UH/School of Social Work. I am here with my wife 'Ekta' and a 8 yesrs old daughter 'Menjam', hope they will also see you sometime.

I live nearby University, my home no is 808-955-8754 and Cell is 808-675-8019, I check e-mails frequently, so you can write as much as you like. Alternately, you can use tamang@hawaii.edu as well.

Good day and hope to talk more and proceed!!

Suresh

oh I am sorry i spelt your name inocorrectly. The paper given to me had the name spelt with two Es. sorry!

I belive for this project we are supposed to discuss mainly about your culture and more specificlly a poem/proverb, a piece of artwork, and a piece of literature from your home country. I am also interested to learn more about your background and what Nepal is really like. Also when did you first come to Hawaii? Do you enjoy it? How differnt is it from Nepal?

I would also love to meet your family and I am very excited to be doing this project with you!

Have a great day,

-Ariana

Hi Ariana,

Good evening!

No worries about typo.

Well, I have proposed two provisional area that you might be interested, let me know if you are, oteherwise we will talk againg.

Nepal is sandwiched between two giants, India and China, therefore influenced from both sides. It's a small but very beautiful country in the Himalaya. We are completely land-locked, so different from Hawaii, thus we have no seas, but have lots of river systems. The economy is based on subsistance agriculture, but the second major industry is tourism. Currently, we are in a political transition, running with an interium constitution, after a decade-long internal civil war. People are nice (I hope), who come from both Indian and Tibetan origin. Basically, I represent one of the Tibeto-burmese sub-group, whose ancestors came from the North. I am Buddhist, so practice almost identical Tibetan Buddhist culture and rituals, while half of the population is Hindu in the country.

Could you please tell me your background a little bit, if I have to guess your surname seems either Japanese or Thai (!?!).

Good night, looking forward to talking to you soon.

RGDs

Suresh

Hello Suresh,

Nepal sounds like a very interesting country! I think it's cool that hawaii shares the similarity of being such a small region, but it's also very different from the Nepal, being that it's a landlocked country, which is very different compared our island in the midst of an ocean! Tourism as a main form of economy also sounds like a trait they have in common, which means Nepal must be very beautiful as well. Also, what is it like being of Buddhist religion and practicing here in Hawaii?
My own background consists of mainly Japanese decent, thus the surname of Tsuchiya. But my from my father's side i am Japanese, Okinawan, and Korean. While from my mother's side i am English, German, Irish, and Cherokee (Native American). I have lived in Hawaii all my life, but i am very much interested in traveling the world and learning about different cultures and countries.
Also, if you would like, we can communicate via things like facebook, aim, skype, ichat, or the phone if you would like. But email is good too.

Nice talking to you!
-Ariana

Aloha, Ohaio-Gozai mas, again,

Great to learn your multi-ethnic background, very interesting, may be it is common in Hawaii. What ever the origin and background is, we all are human ultimately, and I think we have to respect all equally.However, I am Buddhist by birth, represent one of the hill indeginous groups, follow mostly Tibetan Buddhism, though, there are some modifications and simplifications in practice.

You are now getting closer to Nepal I guess. Its a tiny, but multi-ethnic (60 plus ehtnic /indeginous groups) and multi-religious country. The majority of the population consists of Buddhist and Hindus (40%) plus, followed by small proportion (less than 10%) of Christian, Muslim and others....

So far, tourism is concerned, being a country in the Himalaya, we do hiking, trekking, mountaineering (expidetions), white water rafting (rapid), jungle walk, drive or riding elephant to watch wild animals, mountain flights and paragliding, ...........bio-diversity related trips ..and so on ...and also importantly the cultural and other event-specific.

You can visit, http://www.welcomenepal.com/brand/index.asp

Communicating via e-mail is the best for me, however I am in the facebook, equally using skipe and messengers (yahoo/msn), but never used i-chat yet. I have no problem using phone specially in important and urgent cases.

Finally, now is it the time, that we need to decide on "what peice of literature or art you will based all of our dialouge, not in a general country and toruism information.

We can talk about it and start specific exploratin........

Good day! Have nice weekend.

Hello Suresh!

sorry my computer has been down for the past couple days but anyways...
i was wondering what symbol and proverb you wanted to discuss from Nepal. It can be anything you want that you feel best represents Nepal. I decided that the proverb that best represents hawaii to me is:
`Ike aku, `ike mai, kôkua aku kôkua mai;
pela iho la ka nohana `ohana.
which translates to:
Recognize others, be recognized, help others, be helped; such is a family relationship.
I thought this was a good symbolism of hawaii because it shows that family is important and here in the islands, we are all ohana (family) so we need to keep cherish these relations as an island chain.
I am excited to hear what you think best represents your home country =)

-Ariana

Aloha! Ari

No worries, I was also sligtly busy last few days. I have already thought of two short proverbs that certainly represents Nepal in some ways. "Char Jat Chhatis Barna ko Fulbari', that translates to 'A patch motlayed with multicolored tints' (since Nepal is a tiny but a country of multi-culture, multi-ethnic groups and multi-religion).

Secondly, you can go with "The Light of Asia" that is Lord Buddha, who was born in Nepal and the brith place of Buddha is enlisted by UNESCO in the World Heritage Sites.

You can decide to go with either one of them.

Suresh

hello Suresh!
Long time no talk! I hope that you are doing well =)
Anyways, we have been discussing our dialouge projects in class and my teacher found our communication very interesting. She was also very curious on your symbol of Buddha and asked me to ask about what your views on Buddha, and/or your religion are. Thanks so much for communicating with me and being my partner!
-sincerely,
Ariana

Aloha Ari,

Sorry, it was preety busy week, and even the week end. Glad that you already have taken off for the 'dialouge projhect journey'. Well, if you and your teacher are exited about the symbol of Buddha and to explore more about Nepalese culture, socieity and literature, I am more than happy to help.

I already told that I am Buddhist coming form the Tibeto-burmese ancestry, however Hindu people has a significant proportion in the country. And, fortunaterly, there is no conflict among the different religious groups in nepal yet, except some politically colored issue. Buddha symbolizes for 'Nepal' since he was born there, but also for 'peace, concentration and mindfullness'. Buddhist people believe in 'Good Karma', the good work and rebirth'. He is known as 'Light of Asia' and there are many countries (about 40?) in the world where Buddhisim is practiced. You can probably explore more about the socieities, culture (including religion) and festivals, people's life and literatures ..........I am not sure what will be your limit though..

I can recommend some of the following;

1. Book- People of Nepal- by Dor B. Bista (1987)

2. Book- Nepalese Festivals: with some articles enfquiring into Nepalese art, religion and culture by Dbhruba K. Deep

3. Article- Anthropolgy and Sociology in Nepal: Cultures, socieityes, Ecology and Development, Center for Nepalese and Asian Studies

You can also you any travel guides (Lonley planet are best! I guess) and the some websites such as www.welcomenepal.com

I will try to find some books if they are available in the UH library and let you know.

Enjoy your journey and let me know anytime if you want some more ideas. Good luck!

Suresh

Hi Ari,

I think UHM has a bunch of books, I just fond a list, find the attached..if you don't have any access, let me help you get it and lend. Can you go through the list and pick some of them that looks interesting or.........ANY Random.

Take care.

Suresh

Hello again Suresh!

I just want to thank you again for all your efforts made to communicate with me, even though i know you have a very busy and demanding scheduale. I also really love your recomdendations on book choices! i will be sure to check those out and learn more about Nepal. Do you by any chance know of any good fiction novels that i could read that has something to do with Nepal? I would love to read some fiction as well thats why. If you think of anything let me know.

I also want to thank you for all your information on Buddha. The whole Buddhist culture is very interesting and I like to see how it intertwines with Nepal. Speaking of culture, we have been having discussions on the roles of women in differnt countries. I read an article about how there are some instances on under privelged women in Nepal. You don't need to respond, but i was wondering if you have any opinions on women's roles in Nepal society.

Also as a parralel to the symbol of Buddha you gave me, i would like to share with you the symbol of Maui, one of the Ancient Hawaiian gods. Although I do not follow the beliefs of Maui followings, I still think that it is a significant figure in Hawaiian culture. The Hawaiians and people in Hawaii in general look to Maui for guidence for stregnth and courage.

Thanks again for communicating =)

-Ariana

Good morning! Ari
Hope you are exploring more and enjoying the journey!

I hope there are some, but I can not think any fictions written in English that has something to do with Nepal readily available here in Hawaii now. I found many (older publications) books about Nepal's culture, religion and festivals in the UH library, which are fine but so many has to update with the recent changes.

If you are talking about womens situation, in general they were absolutely under privilaged and still many of them are descriminated in many ways (specially in Hindus), where as there are some indeginous groups in the upper hills (northen side) of the country where women play the primary role at home and business as well. Nepalese society is so complex, influenced from both sides north and south; different religious orientations, different level of education and other socio-economic factors.

Keep e-mailing me and let me know if I can do anything more for you.

Good luck and have a nice week.

Suresh

Hi Ari,

How you doing? hope you are exited and exploring more if there is anything I can do at this point, let me know....keep going and enjoy.

Good day!

Suresh

Hi Suresh,

i just got back from my spring break and i hope yours went great as well. I am currently reading a book called "arresting god in Kathmandu" and it is written by a Neapalese author. Thanks for all your help and have a great day.

-Ariana

Good morning!

I hope you are enjoying and exploring more on the theme, I have an exam tonight then I will probably be able to talk to you if you like to. Keep me updating and let me help if you need any.

Suresh

Freedom Folk... what i believe

Dante's eyes widened as he emerged from the sooty soils of Satan's grasp. His long journey through the punishing pits of hell had ended and all he could gaze upon were the stars twinkling in the night sky overhead. He was free. Free from the tortures that he hoped would never befall upon him, as they did his kin. As he walked farther away from the crevice leading into hell, he kept his chin titled upward to marvel at the fruits of his journey through Satan's lair; the stars chanted freedom to him.

As his eyes stayed locked upon the beaming night sky, he suddenly bumped into a presence standing before him.

"I am sorry my brother," the stranger's voice told him with the wisp of a foreign tongue, "I did not mean to get in your way, but I see you too share the fascination of stars".

"Oh no, it was clearly my fault." Dante explained, "You see my friend, I have just escaped and endured the tormented environment of hell, and now to gaze upon the stars, brings me great joy and appreciation to know that I am free."

"Ah, freedom…" the person sighed, "I know the meaning of that word all too well… My name is name is Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, and freedom is the water that I have been thirsting for, yet has been sustaining me, my entire life."

"Oh, pleasure to meet you my good sir. My name is Dante. And by what means do you claim to know the liberties and elements of freedom?"

"Freedom, is one's gift of having the right to fight, and the fruition of having to fight for one's right. I in particular, have dedicated my life to this matter. This is issue of civil liberties that I believe no being of humankind should lack grace of. I have been through the hunger strikes, the pain, ambush, and yet even in my imprisonment, I have never felt so free knowing that my people will walk in the footsteps of freedom."

Dante turned to face the bellowing night sky once again. He could feel the beat of his heart pulsing with the sounds that the stars sang down to him. He thought of how wise this Gandhi fellow was, for he whispered the words that the stars spoke.

"I too have for seen these lack of freedoms. But I can't help but wonder my newfound friend… I have been through the turmoil's of hell, and it seems that any possible agony and loss of freedom to feel here on earth, seems but a ripple compared to the waves of agony to wash over you in hell." Dante sighed. "It seems as though those cages of punishment, do not seem fit for any being of moral stature".

"I agree with you my friend. And that is why you must agree with me as well. Because although those pains of imprisonment have been deemed the utmost deprival of freedom, it only means that why do those here on earth, who have done anything wrong, also suffer lack of freedom?"

"I see what you are saying Gandhi. The words you speak are wise, for you fathom that freedom in itself is the crowning blessing, thus, lack of freedom would be deemed the ultimate punishment. So those who do not transgress the laws of God, such as you and your peaceful people, and still do not obtain this freedom, suffer wretched gallows."

Dante and Gandhi both looked toward the stars now. They reminded Dante that even though hell was in existence, heaven was only a look to the sky away as well.

"Remember…" Dante declared, "If the mortal realms of earth have taken away your freedom, it will be known that those chains you abide by now shall be abolished in heaven."

"I could see the stars from my prison cell as well." Gandhi sighed, "It was not only my remembrance of the world outside, but of the faith we must keep outside our world. I keep faith in knowing freedom will obtained someday."

"I have learned so much from you my friend."

"And I, you." Gandhi placed his palms together and bowed. "Shubh raatri".

E quindi uscimmo a riveder le stelle… The two friends came forth to see the stars.

I believe in freedom. The dictionary defines freedom as: the state of being free or at liberty rather than in confinement or under physical restraint. But I believe that freedom is so much more than that. Freedom is present in all our lives. Whether we live in America, the home of the free, or in places where freedom must be sought and fought for, freedom is the intertwining of our lives here on earth. Freedom is apparent in us; therefore, it is has become apparent in our world. From those reaching for the grasp of its obtainment, to being underappreciated and overlooked, freedom has become a part of our human existence. It is what we fight for, and what we have a right for.

Like the wind, freedom is the force that we can't see, but we can feel. It can hurricane into wars over its presence, but it is the constant breeze that carries the hope in people. When Gandhi fought for freedom, he fought for something he didn't have much of, but he knew that it was an essence to life, therefore, worth dedicating his life to. Dante saw hell through the eyes of the people who experienced the complete lack and physical torments of freedom.

Freedom is what I believe. Freedom is what the world needs. Hence, freedom is the essence of our lives. It is the wind, it is the breath of those who speak for freedom and it is what we seek and yearn for. "Mankind is at best when it is most free. This will be clear if we grasp the principle of liberty. We must recall that the basic principle is freedom of choice, which saying many have on their lips, but few in their minds". -Dante