The last stage seemed interminable. Netra’s parents’ is the highest house in the village, adding an extra 1000 feet vertical climb from the lowest. However, suddenly, there is Ishor, Netra’s older the brother to greet us with straggling knot of excited children. Looking up the slope we see the smiling faces of the rest of the family. The pleasure of seeing them all again compounded with fatigue and hunger produce inevitable tears. Father comes rushing forward with a reviving “tuksi” of raksi (the local spirit) and when the commotion subsides, we’re shepherded into the one small dark room of the main house. Food would have been welcomed but the novelty and excitement of the Dashain celebration takes our minds off our stomachs for the time being.
Netra and Sarina first receive the blessing from their elders, sitting crossed leg on the dirt floor, hands together in prayer posture. Barley grains are mixed into a paste of flour and water and placed on the foreheads of both and loose grain is thrown over their shoulders. This ceremony, with much intoning, is performed first by mother and father, followed by aunt and uncle. The elder uncle is excluded as he is widowed and only as a couple can it be performed
Muni had described his plans for this important day to us; it all sounded very complicated, with visits to his and his wife’s parents, followed by nephews and nieces visiting them in their own home. The flight we had taken from Hong Kong to Kathmandu had been crammed with immigrant Nepalis coming home to visit their families, to share this important time with them and to give and receive gifts.
Kumar is next in line (still incongruously wearing his
stetson !), followed by Anthony and myself. Bundles of young ,white barley
shoots which have been grown in the dark are given at the culmination of
the ceremony and received between pressed palms.