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| ban |
forest (pronounced “bon”) |
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| bahini |
younger sister |
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| bari |
un-irrigated (rain-fed) arable land |
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| buhari |
daughter-in-law |
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| chautara |
resting place |
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| chorten |
a small Buddhist shrine (Tibetan word) |
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| Dalit |
generic term referring to all people of so-called low caste (one termed untouchables) |
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| didi |
elder sister |
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| dhero |
form of stiff porridge, eaten as a staple. It is usually by heating water, adding millet or maize flour, and then stirring vigorously whilst it cooks over the fire. |
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| gai |
cow |
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| ghar |
house |
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| ghee |
clarified – that is, heated and separated – butter. The idea of processing it is to improve its keeping qualities |
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| goth |
temporary animal shelter (sometimes also occupied by humans), usually made with walls of woven bamboo and roofed with braches and leaves – or plastic sheeting |
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| hasiya |
sickle |
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| jaad |
local beer made from mixing water with fermented grain – usually millet. It is cloudy in appearance, and slightly sour in taste. |
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| Janajati |
generic term for people belonging to the many ethnic groups of Nepal – however, the indigenous people of Kathmandu, the Newars, are often not included within it. |
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| jhankri |
traditional healer |
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| khet |
irrigated arable land, usually cultivated for paddy in summer; in winter a second crop may be grown such as wheat or potatoes if sufficient water is available |
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| khol |
black eye-liner |
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| kosi |
large river |
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| lungi |
piece of cloth normally sewn together to form a cylinder, which is then wrapped around the body as a long skirt |
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| matwali |
term used for those who by their caste or ethnic group drink alcohol; less commonly used today than in the past (could now be perceived to be derogatory) |
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| maita |
a woman’s natal home |
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| mit |
close friend, bound in friendship as a blood tie |
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| panchayat |
until 1990, the lowest unit of government administration and the one-party political system (as established in 1962). The panchayat was replaced by the Village Development Council (VDC) |
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| pipal |
tree belonging to the fig family, Ficus religiosa |
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| portuka |
long piece of white cloth wrapped around the waist as a waistband |
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| puja |
an act of worship – usually involving the offering of a gift such as food or flowers to a deity. The word is used by both Hindus and Buddhists. |
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| puri |
a fried flat bread served during festivities. Richer households use ghee (clarified butter) to fry the bread; poorer households use oil. |
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| purnima |
full moon |
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| sachib |
secretary |
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| salwar |
kameeze matching dress comprising a long tunic worn over trousers, usually set off by a long flowing scarf |
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| shraddha |
Hindu ritual performed for dead ancestors – particularly parents |
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| sindur |
red powder – vermilion |
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| soldar |
“gravy” eaten with a staple when there is nothing else – comprising heated water, salt and pounded chillies |
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| stupa |
Buddhist shrine or memorial, usually rounded in shape |
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| tikka |
auspicious, usually red, marking placed on the forehead – it may be simply a finger-print of vermillion powder, or a sticker, or a mass of rice and yoghurt coloured red |
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| tol |
hamlet |
