Manju Maharjan
Scenic view of rice terrace and rolling hills in Thecho, Nepal. Photo: Manju Maharjan
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I have always been proud of my Newah heritage, one of the oldest Indigenous communities in Nepal. Our rituals, cuisine, and artistry make us unique. I have shared stories of our rich cuisine, artistic Ranjana script, traditional crafts, and cultural resilience in different volumes of Langscape Magazine to rekindle pride in my culture. In doing so, I am giving back to the community that has given me so much, even in a small way.
Our small group of Nepali students at National Taiwan University occasionally gather to cook and share Nepali cuisines like chicken curry and momo (steamed dumplings). Cooking together creates a home-like atmosphere away from home. Photo: Bibek Gupta
I was born and raised in a small village called Thecho, located in the Kathmandu Valley, where the majority of the population belongs to the Newah community. For over twenty-five years, I was surrounded by the warmth of my community, but on November 20, 2021, I left Nepal to study abroad. I was accepted into National Taiwan University to attend a masterโs program in biodiversity.
On this new journey, my heart was filled with a whirlwind of emotions โ excitement, nervousness, and a deep sense of nostalgia. While I was excited about experiencing Taiwanese culture, enjoying Taiwanese food, learning Mandarin, and meeting people from diverse backgrounds, I soon started longing for the comfort of home-cooked meals, the sound of familiar laughter, and the ease of speaking in my native language without having to think. Video calls with friends and families brought comfort but also reminded me of the distance. Occasional gatherings with the small group of Nepali students in my university helped to remove the loneliness. But still, I had moments of doubt, of questioning whether I could ever feel at home in this new place.
Every year, the Office of International Affairs at National Taiwan University hosts a Chinese New Year event, featuring cultural activities such as the Lion Dance and a banquet. This event provides an opportunity for international students to immerse themselves in Taiwanese traditions and connect with local culture. Photo: Manju Maharjan
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The university organized several cultural events for international students, and I eagerly participated. Through a host family program, I met Ju-Chen Lin and her sisters, who welcomed me like family. Ju-Chen Lin invited me to cook Newah cuisine, taught me Chinese calligraphy, and took me to the Yangmingshan terraces, whose landscape reminded me of Nepal. She also invited me to the annual rice planting in the Yangmingshan terraces, where I surprised her with my skills, honed from helping my parents back home. I appreciate her caring effort in inviting us international students to her home, allowing us to share our cultures, and bringing us to the Yangmingshan Ecological Farm to connect with nature.
A view of the Yangmingshan terraces, Beitou District, Taipei, Taiwan. The landscape here closely resembles my hometown in Nepal, evoking a deep sense of nostalgia and reminding me of home. Photo: Manju Maharjan
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Ju-Chen Lin teaches us Chinese calligraphy. โIt is a form of meditation,โ she says, โas each stroke requires focus, patience, and precision. The rhythmic motion and controlled breathing create a meditative, calming effect.โ Photo: Manju Maharjan
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Left: Taiwanese ladies eagerly learn to make Yomari, a Newah delicacy. They admire its unique shape and appreciate its nutritional benefits and cultural significance. Photo: Ju-Chen Lin. Right: Freshly steamed Yomari, perfectly shaped and steaming hot. Everyone was delighted and surprised by how well they had crafted the traditional delicacy. Photo: Manju Maharjan
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Left: Elder Chih-Wen Liu welcomed me into her home and taught me to make Zongzi, a traditional Taiwanese delicacy enjoyed during the Dragon Boat Festival on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month of the Chinese calendar. Wrapping glutinous rice with fillings like eggs, meat, mushrooms, and nuts in bamboo leaves requires skill, but she patiently guided me through the process. Photo: Andrius ล ukys. Right: Once prepared, Zongzi is tied with a thread and hung until all are ready. They are then boiled until fully cooked and then served. Photo: Manju Maharjan
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Ju-Chen Lin and two boys from her neighborhood enjoy eating Woh, a Newah dish made from mung beans. While she taught me how to prepare Zongzi, I taught her how to make Woh โ a day filled with a wonderful cultural exchange. Photo: Manju Maharjan
After nearly three years abroad, I returned to Nepal in 2024, eager to immerse myself in our cultural festivals, especially my favorite: Tihar, the festival of lights and the second biggest festival in Nepal. Fields covered with marigolds and houses decorated with lights gave off festive vibes. While Tihar is celebrated nationwide, the Newah community uniquely observes Mha Puja as part of this festival, a ritual honoring oneโs body for health and prosperity. On the final day of the festival is the Kija Puja, which strengthens sibling bonds as sisters, according to tradition, honor their brothers.
The mandala holds significant importance during these celebrations. During Mha Puja, each participant sits within their own mandala, which they created as part of the festival, symbolizing self-reflection and connection to the divine. Its components, aakhey (unpolished rice), waa (unhusked rice), maaye (black gram), haaku musya (black soybean), and taaye (parched rice), represent the five elements โ earth, water, fire, air, and space โ emphasizing the balance between the body and universe, fostering harmony, well-being, connection to nature, and spiritual renewal.
Back in Nepal with my family, reunited again. This photo was taken after celebrating the Mha Puja. Ju-Chen Linโs sister, Judy, and her husband traveled from Taiwan to Nepal to join me in celebrating this special occasion. They always make me feel at home in Taiwan. Celebrating this festival together has created a strong bond between two families, transcending borders. Photo: Manju Maharjan
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The bright golden yellow marigold (Tagetes erecta) flower marks the start of the Tihar festival in Nepal. Homes are adorned with marigold garlands to invite wealth, peace, and prosperity. The Mha Puja and Kija Puja symbolize and bring protection for and well-wishes to loved ones. Photo: Manju Maharjan
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Despite my brief two-week visit, reuniting with family was the most precious experience. My youngest uncle remarked, โI thought you would forget to speak Nepalbhasa, but itโs even better now.โ That moment reaffirmed my unbreakable bond with my heritage. No matter where I go, my language and culture will always be part of me.
Mandalas symbolize wholeness, balance, unity, and the interconnectedness of life and the universe. They can be designed in various ways. A typical mandala for Mha Puja is created during the Mandala Competition, held earlier on the day of the festival. Five different grains, traditionally cultivated in Nepal, are arranged in concentric circles, representing the five elements of the universe. Photo: Manju Maharjan
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During the Bhaitika festival, sisters place a garland of globe amaranth flowers (Gomphrena globosa) around their brothersโ necks, blessing them with good health and longevity. They also apply the saptarangi (seven-colored) tika, a powder traditionally made from botanical ingredients, on their brothersโ foreheads, with each color representing different cosmic elements, blessings, and virtues. These symbolize eternity, protection, and an unbreakable bond between siblings. Photo: Sujita Maharjan
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Manju Maharjan is an Indigenous Newah from Nepal and has been documenting and sharing the biocultural diversity of her community from an early age. Currently, she is a research assistant at Academia Sinica in Taipei, Taiwan. She has been accepted into a PhD program at the Department of Plant Physiology at Umeรฅ University in Sweden to study cell wall dynamics, starting in 2025. Besides her professional interests, she enjoys learning about Indigenous Peoples and their unique cultures.
