Bhai Tika - - Second Report From Nepal By Peggy Wollaston Chester County IFYE Everyone loves a holiday, and the people of Nepal are no ex ception. In fact, their celebrations often last for seveial days dur ing which time government offices are c'osed, sacrifices to gods are made, and all join in the festive spmt One of the most important of these holidays is “Bhai Tika” (pronounced. By-Teeka) or brother worship This four day festival is held the last of Octo ber and early November duung which time each sister must visit the home of her brother (which is almost always her family home) to pay her re spects to him In many aspects this is a veiy colorful occasion. Women in their prettiest sans, carrying baskets of fruits and gifts, huny along the roads Candles shin ing brightly in windows and doorways of every home cast a festive glow in the evenings Men and boys adorned with flower garlands made by then sisters add to the already gay spirit which prevails During “Bhai Tika,” gambling, at other times prohibited in Nepal, is allowed and from early morning until far into the night, these games flourish. In the small village where I was living, virtually all work in the fields was at a standstill and the men and boys participated in this “sport”. Some of the women also tried their hand at winning money, but when I was asked, I politely refused. I was content to be a bystander' It seemed to me all must be winning as there were never any disagi cements among the participants. The actual “Brother worship” ceremony is conducted during the last two nights of the festi val The first night the family sits on a braided mat on the floor. A circle of nee flour is sprinkl ed in front of each person. In side this circle, are nuts, fruit, and flowers. Each member of the family receives a “tike” (spot on the forehead) made of rice mixed in a red dye, and a ALL BEEF AND DAIRY FARMERS Can Purchase CARNATION FARMS SEMEN Direct' From JOSEPH P. TRAINOR Honey Brook, Pa. 19344 Call 215 273-3847, 273-3817 Lancaster Farming, Saturday, December 5,1970—-2& lei of flowers. Following this, each receives a hard-cooked egg, a small fish, a small onion, a pancake made of nee flour, and some “roxee” the local liquor. These foods are all symbols of the worship festival Then the evening meal of boiled rice, curds, a few morsels of goat or buffalo meat (earlier sacrificed) and vegetables is eaten The setting is similar the last evening except that only the brothers are seated on the grass mat. This night the ceremony is more elaborate, as is the feast ing The sisters present their brothers with flower leis, fruits, and nuts Flower petals are sprinkled liberally on the head and shoulders of each brother and then food like that of the previous night in addition a few candies, small cakes, and fruits —is served At this time the Peggy Wollaston Report From Nepal brothers honor their sisters by presenting them with money and sometimes other small gifts. Then the entire family joins iff the feasting. The gambling games are continued with great vigor as this is the culmination of the festival AH is quiet the following morning as work is resumed. Families return to harvesting rice Large grass mats are roll ed out on the ground with dry ing rice upon them, and the gambling games are rolled up and put away for another year. A few flower garlands around the necks of the men and boys is the only reminder that anoth er “Bhai Tika” has come to an end. As I observed this festival, the mood reminded me of our holi day spirit at Christmas time with burning candles, gift giv ing, and happy people. The eggs eaten are reminiscent of Easter, and the time coincided with Hallowe’en Also, small images (similar to Hallowe’en witches) are made of flour and water and steamed. These are used as offerings to the gods. Although we do not celebrate a like festival in America, “Bhai Tika” seems to combine three of our nationally observed cele brations. In most Hindu homes, out siders aren't permitted to eat with the family I felt very fortunate to be able to partici pate in all these activities as a family membei I, too, “wor shipped” my host brothers and enjoyed the festivities as a fam ily member My greetings to you all from Nepal a countiy of festivals. 4-H Scholarships Given Ten 4-H members from Penn sylvania claimed $3,700 in scholarships at the 49th Nation al 4-H Congress m Chicago this week. Each was named a national winner in programs arranged by the national 4-H Service Committee and supervised by the Cooperative Extension Service. Selected on the basis of their 4-H experience in projects and activities, leadership develop ment and growth in personal, community and civic responsi bilities, national winners in cluded: Anita Slothour, 18, York Springs, a $6OO scholarship for health activities sponsored by Eli Lilly and Company; Harold Moyer, 18, Lebanon, recipient of a $3OO scholarship given by Al pha Gamma Rho Educational Foundation.
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