If Tuesday is a busy day for Neupane, Saturday is another hectic schedule for his son-in-law Sudip Poudel. [break]
He goes to several shops of New Road, Suraj Arcade, and Maha Bouddha distributing fresh strands of lemons and green chilies.
Majority of their costumers are Marwari community businessmen. “Every week, we supply at least 2,000 charms in and around these areas,” informs 23-year-old Poudel who has been helping out Neupane with the business for nine months.
On Tuesdays, it is pretty rush-rush for Poudel. He starts his day at six and finishes supplying the charms to all the stores by 12 noon.
“When it comes to the Marwari community, they have to replace the old charms by fresh ones before 12. But Nepalis are flexible when it comes to the time,” he informs.
On the same day, Baburam Thapa, who runs a hotel in Bhote Bahal, got rid of the dried charm that hung on the top rail of his hotel’s door.
“These two days are considered to be auspicious ones to get rid of bad luck,” informs Thapa, who makes his own charm. Usually, other business houses in his neighborhood, such as New Amar Auto Parts, buy them from Neupane.
However, when it comes to the number of lemons and chilies in the charm, it varies in different stores. While Thapa opted for odd numbers—a lemon and five chilies—New Amar Auto Parts had it in even numbers. Poudel adds, the ones we distribute are of three kinds—charms with one, two or three lemons— according to Poudel.
Neupane informs that before the distribution, the charms are taken to Ganesthan, near the Kasthamandap Temple, to purify them. After the distribution, Marwari businessmen usually wash it with holy water or coconut water, which is taken as the method of sanctifying the new charm.
Baburam Thapa, who has been in the business for two years, started placing the charms seven months back following his neighbor’s footsteps. “Business was pretty dry then,” says Thapa.
The story of Jiten Manandhar of Unique Bone Beads Craft Centre is similar. “I started using the charms a few years ago, believing it to bring luck and get rid of the negative vibes of jealous competitors.”
Though the numbers of Nepali businessmen who are turning to charms to help their business prosper might be comparatively fewer to the Marwari community, the numbers are gradually picking up. Since the time he started working last year, Poudel has seen the rise in numbers, both among Nepalis and Marwaris. “The numbers have picked up by 100 at least,” says Poudel.
However, it’s not only in Nepal that such beliefs prevail. In India, such bunch of lemons and chilies are often found in newly constructed homes; and before the new cars take to the streets, a charm is hung in the mirrors.
Use of similar charms is also found in other countries like in Africa, informs culture expert Anil Chitrakar, who brushes off such practices as superstition.
“Such practices and beliefs have its roots in shamanism,” says Chitrakar. Regarding the use of lemons and chilies in this part of the world, Chitrakar observes, “Basically, it’s because of the strong characteristics of these fruits and species.”
Cultures all over the world have been practicing different ways to ward off the envious eyes, which bring bad luck or injury to the people it is directed towards.
Apart from lemons and chilies, spices like ginger are believed to ward off evil eyes in America.
Evil eye bracelets and pendants are found in abundant in Eurasian countries like Turkey, which are often gifted as souvenirs.
Coming back to businessman Thapa, when inquired about whether the charm has brought any luck in his business, he had no concrete answers. “Well, there’s the flow of costumers but it’s not great, either.”
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