Nepali Traditional Domestic Products

Nepal boasts of many genuine, original and unique products of its own. After all, the craftsmen of Nepal were well-respected at the royal courts of ancient China and in the Indian markets thousands of years ago. Well, the same expertise are parcticed in Nepal to this day, now that the lucrative draws of international tourism encourage the domestic market products. Some of the most important products are listed below:

Nepali Hand Made Cap

Hand-made garments : These include shawls, woolen sweaters, socks, mittens, jackets, trousers, and caps which are very functional and colorful souvenir items. Nepalese tailors are adept at creating garments out of hand-loomed cotton, silk, wool, and leather. Exceptional embroidery also goes into the works.

Jewelry : Gold and silver necklaces, bracelets, rings and traditional beads are some of the special products of Patan. Tibetan jewelry abounds in Kathmandu. There is even a colorful international glass bead market in Ranki Bazaar of Indrachowk.

Gems : Kathmandu has one of the widest selections of loose gems in South Asia. Ruby, aquamarine, black and green tourmaline, quartz, rare hamburgrite, panburite, felspar, epidate, and "healing stones" are mined in the high hills and mountains of Nepal, and therefore, are available in Kathmandu at competitive prices.

Nepali Gorkhali Khukuri

Khukuri : This curved metal knife is synonymous with the legendary Gurkha soldiers and their valor in many international wars. Its origin is humble, belonging to the hills of Nepal. Manufactured by Iron Smiths with surprisingly simple and rudimentary traditional implements, this is an ideal souvenir to take back home with.

Metalware : In Nepal, decorative as well as everyday household utensils are made of copper, brass, and bronze. These are elaborately engraved. Karuwas (water jars), antis (liquor jars), and hanging oil lamps are some of the very popular and useful souvenirs.

Paper Products : Traditional Nepalese kagaj paper, popularized by the Hippies as "rice paper", is actually made of lokta (daphne) bark found in the high hills of Nepal. Because of its cross-fibrous, and therefore, strong texture, it has been used for official documents. Commercially turned out as writing pads, calendars and lamp shades, lokta has also gained international fame as the material for the UNICEF greeting cards produced in Bhaktapur.

Nepali Thanka, Lord Buddha

Paubhas or Thankas : Thankas are traditional paintings, depicting deities and religious icons and symblos drawn from Buddhism. Painted on cotton scrolls or canvas, the best paubhas (thankas in Tibetan) use precious powdered stone pigments for vivid colors. Silver and gold dust are other important ingredients.

Pottery : The Kathmandu Valley potters are famous for their delicate art of shaping and sizing both terra-cotta and glazed utility and decorative earthenware. The potters' square in Bhaktapur is the place to buy these souvenirs as well as to see the potters in action.

Statues : The casting of bronze, brass and copper statuary in Nepal dates back to the 13^th century. Nepal is famous for the ancient and painstaking "lost wax method" in which ornate figures are modeled and molded in bees-wax.

Wood Carving : The Newars are expert in their artistry in wood. Their intricately-carved doors, windows, pillars and lattices are seen in and around Kathmandu. Tourism has greatly encouraged the manufacture of these ornate works in wood, mainly in the workshops of Patan and Bhaktapur.

Woolen Carpets : These are hand-knotted pieces of art, using the traditional techniques of Tibet. The best of Himalayan sheep wool and New Zealand long staples are used in weaving the best-quality carpets. Vegetable dyes are used in authentic carpets though usage of imported cost- effective and enduring chemical colors is also seen these days.

Tea Product in Ilam, Nepal

Tea : The eastern districts of Nepal, notably Ilam, are where excellent varieties of Himalayan tea are grown and produced. Though, most of it is exported in Kathmandu and foreign countries after a wide selection of the fine tea, packaged attractively as suitable gifts, and guaranteed as a great brew.

Spices : Asia is an ancient spice stronghold. Therefore, Kathmandu, in the middle of Asia, is no exception. Kathmandu is, in fact, the entrepot of spices-those exotica to flavor curries and other dishes. Nutmeg, ginger, saffron, mace, green anise, fenugreek, peppers, and coriander seeds are just some of the spicy names.