Once a month in 2012, we will be highlighting a culture of the world, specifically focusing on cultures that are predominant in Clarkston, GA. As we enter this extremely diverse community (some would say the most diverse zip code in the U.S.), we do so as learners. We have much to learn! And, as we learn, we will pass along to our readers…

This month, we celebrate the Bhutanese-Nepali! The Bhutanese-Nepali are people without a country. How did that happen?

HISTORY

(late 1800′s) Nepalis were brought to work in the south of Bhutan. The numbers of ethnic Nepali in south Bhutan grew tremendously.

(1958) All Nepalis in south Bhutan granted citizenship. However, they retained their distinct culture and language (Nepali).

(1980′s) Bhutanese government instituted the One Nation One People policy. The aim was to preserve the Buddhist culture and language of Bhutan. As a result the Nepali language was banned from schools and literature and those who could not prove they had been in the country before 1958 were deemed illegal immigrants.

(1988) A census is taken and people were wrongly categorized as non-nationals. Many of these were then ejected from the country after being forced to sign “voluntary migration papers.” Their property was seized and they were told they had to get out of the country by a certain date or face death.

Over 100,000 ended up in refugee camps in Nepal, where they had not running water or electricity. They were not allowed to work. And they were not recognized as citizens of Nepal or allowed to return to Bhutan.

The US offered to settle 60,000 Bhutanese-Nepali. A few other countries offered to take up to 10,000 each.

LANGUAGE

I have begun to learn some Nepali (which was derived from Sanskrit), so I can speak with some of our new neighbors. Right now, I am learning basic phrases from a youtube video! Check it out here.

FOOD

When we visited some Bhutanese-Nepali friends for dinner, we enjoyed: dal-bhat-tarkari. Dal is a spicy lentil soup, served over bhat (boiled rice), served with tarkari (curried vegetables) together with achar (pickled radish).

RELIGION

The majority of the Bhutanese-Nepali practice Hinduism. In fact, many of my friends are named after Hindu gods.

OTHER

The capital of Nepal is Kathmandu. Mount Everest is located in Nepal. The Nepali like to say that they live at the top of the world.