In the Kathmandu valley, various ethnic organizations of Tamang community organized cultural programs in Tundikhel to observe the start of ´the year of snake´. Clad in their colorful traditional attires, Tamang people flocked to Tundikhel to celebrate Lhosar. [break]
Visitors hung around the dozens of stalls demonstrating and selling traditional Tamang food items and handicrafts.
Tamang Ghedung Samaj, an umbrella organization of Tamang people, has decided to organize various programs for seven days on the occasion of Lhosar.
PHOTO: BIJAY RAI
“All programs will be carried out as per our tradition and culture,” said Milan Moktan, president of Nepal Tamang Kala Sanskriti Kendra, one of the organizing committees.
Miss Tamang, inter-school musical band competition, all Nepal B-boying and dohori are among the key events to be organized over the next one week in Kathmandu.
Tamang community has the fifth largest population in Nepal, according to census-2011.
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VOXPOP
Muna Lama, 25
Student at Unique College Of Management
Kumaripati, Lalitpur
Sonam Lhosar is our biggest festival. I enjoy each and every moment of it. Celebration of Lhosar is one way of preserving our ethnic and cultural identities. I am impressed by the way Tamang people are wearing ethnic attires in Lhosar. Though, I came here without putting on my ethnic dress, I am looking forward to wearing it in future.
Devika Magar, 16
Student, Adarsh English School
Khichhapokhari
Lhosar is as big a festival for us as Dashain for the Hindus. For me, the best part of Lhosar is the cultural dance. My parents usually do not allow me to stay outside till late evening. But, on the day of Lhosar, they relent a bit. I regard Lhosar as a day of full freedom.
Nabina Lama, 25
Vice President
All Nepal National Free Student´s Union
Sonam Lhosar is our new year, too. We should keep in mind that we have to hand over our tradition to the next generation. So, we should attract them to celebrate Lhosar by organizing different entertainment programs like concerts and dance competitions.
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