BelBibaha: Celebration of Female Identity in Newari Culture

Abstract

This research analyses the rituals of BelBibaha of Newari community. There are lots of rituals followed by Newari people among them BelBibahais such a ritual which empowers women, free them from the so called notion widowhood of the society. It is a ritual which accept s the female identity and her existence. This ritual teaches people to value females.Though the women of third world countries are subjugated institutionally, some rituals in Newari culture which support females to establish their own identity as well as help them to make safe position in the society. BelBibahain Newari culture is such ritual which is symbolic of the celebration of cultural self of the Newari people. It is analyzed with theoretical ideas of Victor Turner, Elizabeth Bell's symbolic and ritual theory. It is very old tradition but also it is against the present orthodoxies of widowhood.