Dr. Rabin Man Shakya
Nepal Oregon News
Culturally and traditionally, Mohani Nakha or Dashain is the most important and longest festival of the Newah people as well as of the entire Nepalese population.
Mohani Nakha kicks off with Nahli Swan Peegu, the sowing of barley seeds, corn seeds and other seeds on the first day of the longest festival.
In fact, Nahli Swan Peegu is the first day of Nav Ratri which lasts for nine days. Many of the subtle rituals of Mohani Nakha including the Nahli Swan Peegu are on the verge of extinction. I remember during the days of my childhood in 1960s and 1970s, my late grand parents and late parents used to plant wheat, barley seeds, corn seeds and sesame seeds in sand and soil in Bhyega (pitcher made of mud) and Bata (big bowl made of copper). This all was done in the Nhika Yayegu Kotha (worshipping and praying room) at our home in Naghal Tole.
Sand for planting barley seeds was brought from Bishnumati river in Kathmandu in those days. The purpose of planting of barley seeds is to grow barley shoots (Jamara) which is given away by the eldest person to other family members on the day of Chalan (Dashami or the tenth day of the forthnight according to lunar calendar).
During our childhood, we, as kids, used to go to the shrine room of our home and used to play Kanta Dabdab (Damaru) in the morning from the day of Nahli Swan Peegu and onwards. Today, very few will bring sacred sand from Bishnumati river. Also, today, there won't be too many kids to play Kanta Dabdab to create a festive mood during the Mohani Nakha festival.
There is a subtle difference between Nahli Swan Peegu and Ghata Sthapana. Ghata Sthapana is celebrated by the entire Hindus of Nepal while Nahli Swan Peegu is celebrated only by Newah Hindus as well as by Newah Buddhists.
Here in Portland, America, just like all other Nepalese families in the US, my spouse also sow maize and barley seeds in pots filled with soil on the day of Nahli Swan Peegu. And we also use Jamara on the tenth day of the lunar calendar.
The Mohani Jamara is yellowish because it is grown in dark with the cover. When you put the Jamara on your ear, then you feel like you are really celebrating the Mohani Nakha.
During the entire period of Mohani Nakha, we, here in Portland, USA keep listening to Mala Shree Dhun and "Haye Re Jyapuni Tata" a song by late Newah singer Ramesh Tamrakar and other Nepal Bhasa songs.
The Newah people living abroad celebrate Mohani Nakha with a feeling of nostalgia.
