Each year, the grand chariot of Rato Machhindranath is rolled through the streets of Lalitpur, as part of the festival. This grand procession, one of Nepal’s longest-lasting festivals, is more than just a celebration, it is a living part of our intangible cultural heritage, which has passed from ancestors to descendants.
This festival takes place every year and has been celebrated for centuries. But have we ever paused to wonder why we continue these traditions? What do they really mean to us?
However, beneath the excitement of the festival lies a deeper truth: much of Nepal’s intangible cultural heritage our songs, languages, dances, rituals, and oral traditions is quietly disappearing.
What is intangible cultural heritage?
Intangible cultural heritage, as defined by UNESCO, refers to the practices, expressions, knowledge, and skills that communities recognise as part of their cultural identity.
It’s not something we can see or touch like a monument or statue but it’s something we experience, carry within us, and keep alive through practice.
Our living traditions
Nepal has a lot of intangible cultural heritage. We have many unique festivals, rituals, music, dances, oral stories, and languages. Along with Rato Machhindranath Jatra, we have Indra Jatra, Ghode Jatra, Lakhe dance, and many more.
We have the beautiful songs of the Gandharva people, played on the sarangi. We have dohori songs where people sing back and forth, bhajan and kirtan sung in temples. We have small ethnic languages like Kusunda, Chepang, Dura, and Newa dialects. We have traditional arts like paubha painting, wood carving, and statue making.
Fading Traditions
Sadly, many of these traditions are quietly disappearing. Fewer young people are learning songs, dances, and crafts. Many children are no longer speaking their mother tongue. Some traditional crafts are being replaced by machine-made products.
Festivals are still celebrated, but people are forgetting the deep meanings behind them. This decline is happening due to many reasons. Urbanisation has shifted people to cities, leaving behind their local customs.
Modernisation has brought new priorities; Young people focus on education, jobs and global culture, and traditional knowledge may no longer look useful or valuable. Many cultural artists and elders lack support or recognition, so their knowledge is not being passed.
Intangible heritage matters
But our intangible heritage is deeply important. It gives us a sense of identity and pride. It connects us with our roots and makes us unique.
It brings people together, creates happiness, and keeps communities strong. It can also contribute to the economy, as many tourists come to Nepal to experience our festivals, crafts and cultural performances.
The way out
We should now work to protect it. First of all, we need to teach our children about their culture. Local stories, songs, dances and languages should be included in their lessons, not only in foreign subjects. Families should encourage children to learn from grandparents and elderly.
Second, we need to support cultural artists and their skills should also be respected and rewarded. Governments, organisations and communities can provide grants, training and platforms for folk musicians, dancers, narrators and craftsmen.
Third, we can use technology to save and share our heritage. We can record old songs, dances and stories, create online archives and digital museums, and use videos, podcasts and websites to tell the world about our cultural treasures.
Finally, the youth need to be proud and involved in our culture. Festivals should not be only about fun, they should teach history and meaning. The youth should be encouraged to participate not only as audience but also as active participants.
One day, when the next generation stands to pull the chariot of Rato Machhindranath, will they also carry the songs, dances, and stories that give the festival its true meaning? Or will they see it simply as a tradition they follow without understanding?
The answer depends on what we do today. We must act now to protect and pass on our intangible cultural heritage before it is lost forever.
