I attend typical Magar Chewar last Sunday and I was very much thrilled to see the ritual performed in a cowshed. As being born and raised in Kathmandu itself, I reckoned how I and my relatives are so far away from our ethics and value. I have seen lots of Chewars (bartaman) of boys in the family. We have followed the typical bahun-chettri customs, which is much-elaborated celebrations unlike what I witnessed now.
Brihaspati Thapa, my friend's son, is a handsome boy. He was looking absolutely awesome in his dhaka topi and daura suruwal made of textile called kaash. He was very happy that day.
His Mama (Maternal uncle) took him to a cow shed, tied him there with damlo (rope) assuming he was a cow, although all his family elders teased him to be goru (ox). Then Mama has him herbs hold in his mouth, which he is supposed to clasp between his lips (as if he was a real cow and chewing grass) throughout the head-shaving ritual. After shaving Brihaspati's head, Mama gave him new clothes and money as dakshina. Then the boy was asked to choose his favourites among; books, pens, fruits, khukuri etc. The shy boy pondered for a while and chose "Elementry Chemistry book". "Oh this means he will be a master saheb (teacher) just like his father, his elder cousin mocked him and laughter shook the weak walls of the shed.
The Chewar was over within half an hour which was followed by giving him tika (red forehead marking) by all his family members, relatives and eventually by my mother, also giving his presents for this initiation ceremony.
According to Brihaspati's aunt, Celebrant is tied as cow in shed made him chew herbs while shaving his head, because before chewar boys are like animals (I hope she meant cute animals like puppy, hehe). Undergoing/observing this ritual leads him to manhood and also qualifies him to participate in the death rites when his parents die.
Brihaspati Thapa, my friend's son, is a handsome boy. He was looking absolutely awesome in his dhaka topi and daura suruwal made of textile called kaash. He was very happy that day.
His Mama (Maternal uncle) took him to a cow shed, tied him there with damlo (rope) assuming he was a cow, although all his family elders teased him to be goru (ox). Then Mama has him herbs hold in his mouth, which he is supposed to clasp between his lips (as if he was a real cow and chewing grass) throughout the head-shaving ritual. After shaving Brihaspati's head, Mama gave him new clothes and money as dakshina. Then the boy was asked to choose his favourites among; books, pens, fruits, khukuri etc. The shy boy pondered for a while and chose "Elementry Chemistry book". "Oh this means he will be a master saheb (teacher) just like his father, his elder cousin mocked him and laughter shook the weak walls of the shed.
The Chewar was over within half an hour which was followed by giving him tika (red forehead marking) by all his family members, relatives and eventually by my mother, also giving his presents for this initiation ceremony.
According to Brihaspati's aunt, Celebrant is tied as cow in shed made him chew herbs while shaving his head, because before chewar boys are like animals (I hope she meant cute animals like puppy, hehe). Undergoing/observing this ritual leads him to manhood and also qualifies him to participate in the death rites when his parents die.
