The Sixth Indigenous Nationalities Tanahun Cultural Festival is set to begin today at the district headquarters Damauli. Organized by the District Coordination Council of the Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities, Tanahun, the festival will run until Magh 5.
Federation Chairperson Sanam Tamang said the festival is being organized to preserve language and culture and to promote tourism. The fifth Indigenous Nationalities Festival was previously held from Poush 22, 2079 BS. He stated that the festival will contribute to the conservation of the cultures of various ethnic communities in Tanahun and help promote the district’s religious and tourist destinations.
In Tanahun, where around 65 percent of the population belongs to indigenous communities, the Indigenous Nationalities Federation initiated the tradition of organizing such festivals. The first Indigenous Festival was held in 2065 BS.
The cultural festival will feature traditional model houses, cultural processions, indigenous dances, ethnic attire exhibitions, local cuisine, handicraft stalls, musical performances, and various awareness programs.
According to Tamang, the festival aims to preserve and promote the identity, originality, and culture of indigenous nationalities while also making a significant contribution to the promotion of cultural tourism in Tanahun. He expressed confidence that the festival would help pass on indigenous traditions and cultures, which are gradually disappearing due to modernization, to the younger generation.
The organizers believe the festival will further strengthen harmony, unity, and cultural exchange among indigenous communities. They have also set a target of saving NPR 1.5 million to construct a museum.
To make the festival more attractive and culturally rich, traditional model houses of three communities have been constructed. The main attraction at the open ground in Byas Municipality–3, near the Mahendra statue park area, includes model houses representing the Magar, Darai, and Kumal communities.
Although more than 13 indigenous nationalities reside in Tanahun, Tamang said that due to space constraints, model houses of only three communities could be constructed.
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