Chepang Community Celebrates Nwangi (Tshonam) Festival

Kathmandu: The Chepang community is celebrating the Nwangi (Tshonam) festival today, which they observe every year on 22 Bhadra in the lunar calendar as both a national and religious festival.

Although festivities continue throughout the month of Bhadra, a grand celebration is held on 22 Bhadra with various cultural programs. “This year, Chepangs from across the country have gathered in Kalikhola, Ichchhakamana Rural Municipality-6, Chitwan,” said Govindaram Chepang, Central President of the Nepal Chepang Association.

The Nwangi festival is celebrated mainly in Chitwan, Makawanpur, Dhading, and Gorkha, which are home to the majority of the Chepang community. According to tradition, new fruits and grains should not be consumed without first offering them to the land and worshipping the ancestors. On the day of Nwangi, rice, grains, and fruits are ritually offered in honor of the ancestors, Govindaram added.

As per the National Census 2078, there are 84,364 Chepang people in Nepal, residing in 26 districts, with the largest population in Chitwan.

Govindaram further noted that, in recognition of the festival, the Bagmati Province government has declared a public holiday on 22 Bhadra in Chitwan, Makawanpur, and Dhading since 2079 BS. Likewise, Gandaki Rural Municipality in Gorkha has also announced a public holiday today.

Rastriya Samachar Samiti (RSS)