From tika to Tiktok: Nepali festivals in the digital age
Summary
Nepali festivals like Dashain and Tihar are evolving in the digital age, where traditional rituals are increasingly experienced through screens, social media, and online trends, risking the fading of their cultural meaning.
Key Points
- Traditional Nepali festivals such as Dashain and Tihar are increasingly celebrated through digital means like WhatsApp calls, Instagram, and TikTok, changing their nature.
- Younger generations often engage with festivals more as curated social media performances than as deeply felt rituals.
- Language and traditional practices are fading as convenience and digital platforms influence how culture is experienced and conveyed.
- The article argues for slowing down and seeking deeper understanding of festival meanings beyond aesthetics and social media content.
