In the heart of Nepal, between the majestic Himalayas, lies traditional means of communication. “Katwal karaune”. This system practice passed from generation to generation in Marpha village of Mustang district, holds a key rich cultural heritage of Nepal.
Tradition methods of printing, wood carving, and scripting, wearing a cultural dress, Tanga pants, Pottery, Weaving, Dhime baja, Panche Baja, Damha, Katwal Karaune, and Hulaki are some traditional soul of Nepal.
Katwal karune is one traditional means of oral communication in Nepal. Katwal would frequently go to hilltops or expansive open grounds and yell the message of open significance. In Marpha Tibetan family dialects have been utilized whereas “katwal karune”.
“ओ नमह\ स्वाउरी पुम्बै छिमुकिम्बत १ बजे राम स्याम्ब तिनरी स्यादो“
(भोलि स्याउमा छर्ने तेल गाउँबाट आर बाड\छ लिन जाउँ)
Nepal is one of the most Multilingual countries in the world. All the mother tongues in Nepal have been recognized by the Interim Constitution of Nepal 2063. There are four families of Nepali languages. These are Indo-European, Dravid, Bhot (Tibet) or Tibetan, and Aagneya. In Marpha, the languages of the Tibetan family are used by Katwal to communicate information.
In Nepal, one of the old ways to communicate is through katwal karaune. Any significant individual speaking loudly while seated in the middle of the village is referred to as katwal karaune. Usually, the individual who felt resentful was a man. Someone aggressive used to draw attention to themselves by playing tambha, blowing conch shells, slamming cymbals, and other such actions.
Marpha is a small yet beautiful village in the Mustang district. Marpha comes from two Thakali words Mar and Pha – meaning hard-working people and this village is a very well-maintained Thakali village.
This village is famous amongst trekkers for several different reasons and among them, one is the apple orchards and its products. Apple brandy by the name of Marpha itself is a very famous and must-try thing from Marpha.
Marpha is directly connected by the roadways recently but is not overcrowded like Jomsom. The views of Nilgiri North and South both are starkly beautiful. The lodges are big and have modern amenities. Gas-heated water, cuisines from other than Nepal, bar facilities and many other makes Marpha a traveler’s delight.
The history of mass communication in Nepal is significantly influenced by the Katwal practice. The Katwal, who worshipped the gods in Kot, gave the king’s commands to the Bhaivardars in the kingdoms of Prithivi Narayan Shah and the modern-day Baise Chaubise. Afterwards, those katwal were referred to as “katwal.” As a means of facilitating social communication, a katwal’s son or sibling would take up this vocation after his death. The katwal would receive food grains annually under the title “katwal karaune” from every home.
