GAGRI and GHAITO

GAGRI and GHAITO are the basic water vessels that are used in Nepal to store water in house for different purposes especially in places where there is no 24 hour water supply in the house or in villages where there is a common tap. In the above picture the top one is GAGRI and the bottom one is GHAITO.

There is mainly two basic differences in GAGRI and GHAITO. The first one is visible in the picture above i.e the shape; GAGRI is long and slender whereas GHAITO is more round and curvy. The second difference however is due to the raw materials used in its making. The first one is made up of metal and the latter is made up of clay. GHAITO usually is plain as there is rarely any carving done in clay goods but GAGRI is more versatile in its appearance and it is made up of metal. A GAGRI can be simple with no carving or be exotic with all the metal designs around the body.  

DALO

DALO is a bamboo basket that is normally used to store dry food(rice, maize,pulses etc.), transfer small quantity of goods or even used as decorative item. It is a good storage idea to make your room clutter free. It comes in different shapes and sizes and are light to carry, hence making it easier to relocate or transfer in them. DALO is mostly "kind of" half oval shape and has four corners supporting the structure and also extended at base for easy grip.

JATO

Above is the picture of "JATO" side view and top view respectively. It is a form of grinder and is made up of stone. Pulses, rice and other grains are usually grinded using "JATO" and usually a person is enough to complete the job. People mainly have it inside their house or within the premises of the house. 

It consists of two round stone of which the bottom part is attached to the ground or the floor in the house (as in the top picture) and has a big nail or wood in the centre to keep the top stone in place while grinding (it is visible in the bottom picture in the middle hole). The top part however has two holes in it, one in the middle to keep grains and the other on the side to place a handle for grinding. The grains are grinded using a circular motion with the help of the handle and the person has to be sitting down to do the task.

DHIKI

DHIKI is our very own manual grinder!!! It is used to grind paddy, rice, dry chillies and etc so mostly it is used to make powder goods from dry grains or plants. There is a defined area for "DHIKI" in a house usually in the backyard. The area is first cleaned to grind and requires two people. It is a very slow process and requires enormous amount of energy and effort.

"DHIKI" is made up of wood and works like lever but instead used for grinding. The framework consists of fulcrum having two pillars on each side, an effort area (where one of the person stands on the long thick plank of wood making effort at every interval ), a long and thick plank of horizontal wood which has a small vertical extension that goes into a hole made on ground. It is in this hole that the grains or dry chillies are kept to transform them into powder. The other person usually sits at this area to keep grains in the hole in coordination with the effort applied on the other side. They very well be cautious and communicating as a wrong movement especially in the side of the person keeping grains can cause an accident of grinding their own hand.

SUKUNDA and SUMICHA

Another artistic treasure of our heritage is the "SUKUNDA"and "SUMICHA". It is a traditional nepalese oil lamp used in almost all the religious as well as special events such as birthdays (while giving shagun), when you are leaving home for special occasions, when you pass the exams and remember god and also when you are starting anything new be it a new store, project or work. It is very essential that the lamp has the inscription of lord Ganesh as a god of bestower of success. 

There is three parts associated with the "SUKUNDA". The body, the nossel and the "SUMICHA". The lamp is lit on the nossel with the help of oil and the oil is stored in the main body of the Sukunda. "SUMICHA"is the spoon with peacock on the top which is used to transfer oil from the vessel to the lamp to fuel the light.

AMKHORA, KARUWA AND ANTI (NEPALESE EWER)

AMKHORA

KARUWA

ANTI

All these vessels are used almost daily in the Nepalese community to drink, store and serve either water, wine or alcohol. These are the traditional water bottles of our community and serves a great purpose to our heritage and culture. "Amkhora" is generally used by all the Nepalese community whereas "Karuwa" and "Anti" is specially used in the Newar community. All three vessels can be made either with just plain metal or may have moderate to exquisit carvings on them. 

But with the increasing use of plastic bottles (whether that be our very own 2 litre coke ko bottle or modern plastic bottles) they are being less frequently used now-a-days. Water in these vessels are usually cold and need not be refrigerated like other plastic bottles. Also if we increase its use in our daily life we will not only be preserving our culture but also promote Nepalese local art and craftsmanship and uplifting our own fellow citizens financially. 

THEKI and MADANI

Theki is locally made by people from wood and is usually used to store milk fat (Taar), make butter (i.e NAUNE GHYU)out of it; which can later be cooked to make the clarified butter also known as ghee and also make buttered milk (i.e MOHI). The "Theki" is only a vessel, where as the "Madani" is like a thick stick with turbines at one end.

To make all these products we first need to keep the "Theki and Madani" near a pillar so that Madani can be tied very loosely (infact right parallel to the pillar). The "Madani" than needs to be wrapped around spirally by another rope in such a manner that when you pull one side the other gets smaller (if that makes sense just like a hand exercise !!!). The "Madani" is then kept inside the "Theki" with milk fat in it. Slowly the person starts to rotate the "Madani". As there are turbines present it works like a mixer grinder and separates the fat and the butterd milk. The fat floats on the top which is collected either ready to eat or make clarified butter and the buttered milk remains at the bottom ad is usually sour but thoroughly enjoyed by everyone including me!!!!!!

SUKUL

Sukul is another type of mat which is popular among the Newar culture in Nepal. It is made up of hay (PARAL) and is long rectangular shape (long enough to seat almost 15 people in a single line). It is usually used in "Bhoj" or "Na-kha-tya" where there is assemble of huge number of people and food is distributed by cooks to all the people. It is generally rolled and stored for reusing next time. Since it is made by hay locally, it is cheap, effective and biodegradable as well!!!!!!!!!  It is also said that walking in "SUKUL" also increases blood circulation to your legs and feet... hence reducing oedema to lower extremities!!!.   

KHARPAN

Usually popular in the Newari Culture, "Kharpan" is used to carry things from one place to another be it for selling, transfer of goods or just to ease carrying load!!! It is still used in ethnic Newar communities like in Bhaktapur, Kirtipur , Panauti etc. It is almost like the sign Libra with two baskets on each side and a bamboo that is kept on the shoulder for balance. It is usually used for short distance transfer and basically by the farmers. 

CHAKATI

"Chakati" is a small mat that is locally made in our villages. And it is made out of none other thannnnnnnn.... "MAKAI KO KHOSTA" our very own skin (or leaf) of the corn on the cob!!!!!!!! The skin is dried, separated and turned in four long pieces that are cut vertically along the fibres. It is then connected together using different techniques to connect and form mats in different sizes, design and height. It is just amazing to know that nothing goes to waste and people are so artistic in my country!!!!  

CHULESI

I dont know if many of you still used it but back home in Kathmandu I still do!!!! I think it is still the best tool to cut vegetables (but only if you are old and careful enough to use this tool.) Because, I have by far, most of the time cut my fingers running through it!! It is very sharp and interesting to use as well.

To put it into picture it resembles like the number "2" with less curve on the top. the base is the place where you can either keep your feet or leg (i.e if you are sitting on the ground) and the top part is the sharp area which works as a standing knife. You slide down the vegetables and fruit you need to chop and TADA!!! by the time it reaches down it is cut into desired pieces. People also use it to peel vegetables with ease in villages but I find it quiet risky as I am used to using a peeler for this purpose and also it takes longer as you have to be extra cautious.

HASIA and KHURPA

These are the basic tools that are used in the villages to cut crops, grass for cattle and sometimes even the vegetables. It is basically used as a manual tool and is very handy as it can be used for various other cutting purposes as well as those discussed above (like cutting branches off a tree, weeding etc). The name differ due to the tools sizes. The small size is called "hasia", a medium size is called" khurpi" and a bigger version is known as "khurpa". The round vessel in the picture that holds "khurpa" or "hasia" is called "KHURPI TYAK". It is usually tied on the hip for easy access.

It has a wood handle and a curved metal resembling a opposite "C". On whole it somehow looks like a question mark sign i.e. "?" without the bottom dot!!!  It is usually made locally by the "KAMI's" socially known to do works of metal and produce vessels.

DHALUCHA

Well the literal meaning of "Dhalucha" means a hanging lamp (I think!!). People still have it on their balcony especially in the "Newar" community to light lamp while praying to god. It can be made of metal or clay, however the ones made from metal have more define carvings in it and is very artistic.
I love seeing "Dhalucha"on peoples houses as it brings back the memories of my own maternal background. I remember my maternal grandma rising early in the morning and praying to gods, coming to balcony and lighting the lamp and chanting prayers. Though it is used for prayers on regular basis it is most important during the period of "Indra Jatra". It is said that on the next day of the " Indra Jatra" it is essential to light the lamp before having the "Newari "ethnic "Bhoj" "Samyabaji".It is only after praying and lighting lamp that all the members start to eat their "Bhoj".

SARANGI and GANDHARBA

"Sarangi" is a Nepalese musical instrument and the people who sing and play such music is known as "Gaine" and the whole community or their group is known as "Gandharba". It is usually sung remembering the sad moments and the pain related to anyones life, but not only limited to the sadness and is also used in different other songs and occasions. It is made out of wood and has four strings attached and works similar to a violin.
The songs are very heart touching and brings goosebumps and sometimes also tears to my eyes!!!! you can watch one of such songs by going to the link below. ENJOY!!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXUKticmIto

DOKO and NAMLO

"Doko" is something I believe most people are aware of. It is still extensively used to physically transport  woods, water (obviously by keeping a vessel filled with water in the DOKO), kids to school and even patients in remote parts of Nepal where transport system is not readily available. It is made up of bamboo cut into long straps and joined together. It is also used in Kathmandu and other cities especially to carry materials for building house like sand, bricks etc. The above picture is the actual "Doko" and the rope like thing on the ground is the "Namlo" which is a head strap which goes around the head and helps people carry weight on their back. It is usually made up of rope. Since it is hard and rough on the forehead a soft cloth is used to decrease the pressure.

GUNDRI (गुन्द्री)

How many of you remember unrolling a "Gundri" (गुन्द्री) to sit on the floor????? When I used to go to my village we used to have a lot of extra "Gundries"(गुन्द्री) rolled up and stacked in place for use. It used to be the basic and the most necessary tool in any home of my village. It is used to sit and gossip with friends and family, can be used to make an extra matress to sleep and also to dry pulses and grains in the sun!!!! It has various uses and is handy in every homes!!!

"Gundri"(गुन्द्री) is a biodegradable Nepali carpet made out of hay. It is used in villages and are locally made by the women who runs the household. It is massively used all around Nepalese villages but now runs a doubt of continuity with the increasing lifestyles of people and coming of cheap carpets in the markets. Also time and skills required to make "Gundri"(गुन्द्री) is diminishing with every generation and years.

Above pictures shows women making "Gundri"(गुन्द्री) for their household in our very own traditional manner. The equipments required are a rectangular framework of wood known as "TAAN", rope to stack hay into, top and bottom wood structure with holes for rope to run between them and most importantly a woman with skills to put it all into place.

PIRKA

I bet a lot of us have grown up sitting on this. This is our very own sofa and is still extensively used in our villages."PIRKA" a typically Nepali name for a plank of wood designed to sit on either for talking, eating, praying or simply sitting on. It is designed to be a little high from the floor to save oneself from the cold and dirt. It is used mostly in the village areas where luxury living is not possible with the help of sofa or cushions.

The picture above is of a child having his meal sitting on a "PIRKA". As it is made from wood it is not that easy to sit on especially when we have a habit of sitting on soft materials and cushions (believe me!!!). But never the less it is important and essential tool in villages where floors are made up of mud and saving your cloths from getting dirty is one of the goal. Along with "PIRKA" people also use "GUNDRI","SUKUL" and "KAMBAL" to sit on.