The persistence of festivals; Dashain and Tihar

I don't think most of us truly understand what we are celebrating when we participate in festivals. Perhaps our parents generation do, but as for us post war; post globalization; post secular kids (young adults ahum), the meaning escapes us, or rather the desire to familiarize ourselves with the time-old stories; histories and traditions about gods and deities; good and evil, and the myriad sacrifices made by mankind hold less appeal.

Rather, the twenty-first century heralds a time where despite growing economies and vast technological and scientific advancements, the future in which we can envision ourselves securely paying a mortgage, let alone buying a house, is one that is becoming more vulnerable day by day. Therefore, yes Dashain has arrived and Tihar is around the corner, but who has time to appreciate the challenges faced by Ram and Sita, when we have our own challenges to face? Nor acknowledge the sacrifices they made and the demons they vanquished, when again, we have our own sacrifices to make and our own demons to vanquish?

Today most of us partake in popular festivals like Dashain and Tihar simply because we have to. It's a family thing; it's expected; one cannot displease one's parents throughout the entire year (certainly not Nepalese parents). If you are still young, then even better, you simply have to turn up to receive gifts, money and blessings. The array of food is also worth the journey from one relatives' house to another.

But it cannot only be habit and obligation that has kept the spirit of festival and tradition alive to this day. No. Strip festivals down to their barest essence and you will realise that there is only one simple reason for their outstanding longevity: because festivals bring people together. 

In our fast-paced and often far flung existences, sustaining old and new relationships can be challenging. The internet has of course made it extremely easy for families, friends and acquaintances to stay connected. But it is festivals, especially family and community oriented festivals like Dashain and Tihar, that allow people to wholeheartedly indulge in rekindling; reuniting; and rediscovering lost or faded bonds. Festivals recognise the value of family, community and friendship and it is these values that the contemporary individual respects when sitting down to receive Tika from their elders.

Of course there are amongst the myriad, many contemporary Nepalese who are very knowledgeable in their understanding of Dashain and Tihar. There are also many rituals even the less knowledgeable perform almost as second nature: bhai tika is the one that is acted mostly by the children (with a few guidance by the parents). However, what this post is trying to address is the fact that understanding matters little when participating in festivals. Festivals are special and worthy of celebration, not because of their rich contexts and history; gods and dieties and traditional orthodox customs, but rather because they remind us to love and appreciate the people who have all contributed to create the individual we are today – regardless of what the future holds.

So make time. CELEBRATE and APPRECIATE. Dashain has come to an end but Tihar is just around the corner. If you did not have time to reconnect with your loved ones during Dashain, then I hope you do so during Tihar. But festivals are only reminders. Everyday is a good day to tell someone how much you appreciate them!

Therefore, from the entire Namas family “HAPPY DASHAIN AND TIHAR”! Let us today celebrate LIFE!  

Written  by Dina Rai

Momo: A nationwide favourite

MOMO

One cannot visit Nepal without enjoying several plates of Momo. No. One cannot, and one should not. Visiting Nepal without sampling Momo is like returning from the beach without dipping your feet, then your entire body, into the ocean. It is just not done.

Momo is arguably the most popular dish among the Nepalese folks. It is a dish that can make the entire nation literally salivate at its mere thought. Here are several reasons why:

First, it is simple to prepare. Momo is essentially a type of steamed bun. The doughy exterior is made by mixing flour and water together. The filling is usually a mixture of ground/minced meat, spices and vegetables. Put the two together and voila you have MOMO!

Second, Momo is a fairly experimental and practical dish. There are no fixed ingredients, which means people from all over the world can pick and mix accordingly to the local produce available to them. Consequently, ever since the Newar merchants brought the recipe and the name 'Momo' from Tibet, its native land, to Nepal and modified the type of meat and seasoning of the dish with local ingredients, a variety of Momos have been improvised to suit the taste buds of even the most pickiest of all eaters.

Some of the most popular types of Momo's are:

Steamed Momo

Kothey Momo: half steamed, half fried

C-Momo, otherwise known as Chilli Momo (the name should give away the modified ingredients): 

Fried Momo (either deep fried, or steamed first then fried): 

Jhol Momo (jhol meaning a thick soupy base, usually spicy): 

Open Momo (perfect to mix and match your chutney/sauce/condiments by filling in each open pocket with something different)

Buckwheat Momo (for the health conscious)

Paneer/Cheese Momo (vegetarian option, or you can just make a vegetarian filling)

Green Momo (the dough is mixed with spinach - for those who prefer to be deceived whilst consuming their greens)

The choices are endless. Therefore, if you ever find yourself making Momo at home, feel free to personalize. If you want to add eggs into the mixture, add it! Hot banana ketchup or a Samphire, add it! The world of Momo does not discriminate.

But won't too much experimenting (adding Marmite for example) spoil the broth? Good question. And the answer is: it might, especially if you add Marmite (but you never know until you try). Nevertheless, the appeal of Momo is more than just its taste (which is just heavenly by the way). For many, especially Nepali people who have grown up alongside the dish, Momo is also a food of habit, of memory, and somewhat of a legacy passed down from one generation to another (like what Kimchi is to the South Koreans).

Correspondingly, the third reason Momo is a national favourite can be pinned down to its level of availability. Wander through the streets of any part of Nepal and you are bound to come across a little cafe, a restaurant, or a make-shift little stand selling Momo. Wander into the houses and one out of five houses will surely be either making Momo, or will have frozen Momo in their fridges. Momo in Nepal is as routine as brushing your teeth. Often ordering Momo at a cafe or a restaurant will be automatic; it is a food you order guided by your instinct rather than by thought.

Making Momo is also, although slightly lengthy, a family and friendship affair. Because the process is so simple, it is common for families and friendship groups to gather together and spend half the day catching up and reminiscing whilst making Momo.

It is the best comfort food, but it is also the best party food; the best food to have when it's raining; when the sun is out; when your mood is low; when you are craving but you don't know what for. Momo's rate of satisfaction is so high (the taste, the taste is just to die for) that even when you know what you're craving, if offered Momo, you will opt for Momo.

It is this versatile and accommodating element that makes Momo popular, and also the fourth and final reason in this attempt to explain why Momo is a national favorite. Momo is not just a food you eat. All the moments you spend in between, whether with your friends or your family, whether you are spending a whole day catching up or meeting for a quick bite, is a memory. All the conversations and the laughter make up the Momo experience. And if it's a good memory, which it usually is if Momo is involved, then it is only natural for us to want to replicate and re-live the memory again, and again, and again - individually and nationwide.

Do we live to eat, or eat to live? Why not try some Momo today and find out one of the many pleasures of being alive.

Written by Dina Rai.