Cultural Shift
Fleeing the violence of Nepal's Maoist insurgency, many Nepalese have left their villages over the years for bigger cities. They've brought their culture with them.
By Kevin Sites, Wed May 24, 10:24 AM ET
KATMANDU, Nepal - Before the Maoist uprising in 1996, many Nepalese lived in villages. But the conflict has displaced hundreds of thousands of people — the Norwegian Refugee Council estimates there are 200,000 people currently displaced in Nepal.
Many have moved to metropolitan areas, especially the capital Katmandu, and their folk songs and dancing have come with them.
So now, instead of performing in villages, people come to night clubs, like Nirmaya Rodhi in Katmandu, to listen to folk singers, watch traditional dances and to dance themselves.
Nepal's population of 28 million is comprised of dozens of ethnic groups, and it's reflected in the rich variety of music and dance one can find in Katmandu.
I visited the Nirmaya Rodhi night club and got a chance to sample some traditional song and dance.
 Nepali folk music » View |  Dance from eastern Nepal » View |  Dance from western Nepal » View |
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