Understanding the Nepali Society

A society is a web of human relationships. It is about the people, their culture and lifestyles, daily patterns, their relationship with each others, etc. Nepali society is a little different than other societies for some of its specific features.

The specific features of Nepali society are:

Historically inegalitarian

Nepali society never was equal and was always stratified in terms of caste, caste and gender. The people of higher caste and class enjoyed more facilities than those of the lower.

Cultural harmony

Although there are many cultural and ethnic groups in Nepal, they always lived in peace and harmony with each other. There always was tolerance among the various cultures and no dispute occurred that could affect the cultural solidarity of the country.

Vertically and horizontally stratified

Nepali society is vertically and horizontally stratified, vertically in terms of caste, class and gender and horizontally in terms of religion and culture.

Synthesized form

Nepali society has mixed culture. Although there reside various different cultures, the cultural practices are often mixed up and one cultural group can be seen practicing the traditions of other.


People are free to select their own cultural practices and no one is forced to follow a particular format.

Widespread diversity

Nepal is diverse in terms of culture, language, religion and ethnicity. There are number of cultural and ethnic groups speaking diverse language, wearing different dresses and following different religion.

Unity in diversity

Although Nepal is multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, multi-lingual, multi-religious nation, there is tolerance among them. The diverse groups are united under the same identity of being a Nepali.


Nepali society is flexible and the systems and cultural practices are blended according to the comfort of the human beings. The traditional practices could be modified for one’s comfort.

Transition phase

Nepal is in transition phase in terms of its political condition.  It has recently gained the system of a Ganatantric Loktantra from the Monarchial and Democratic system.