Coming of Age

CHANGMA LEKMA (CHANGE CLOTHING)

When children reach the age of adolescent, they were given new clothes. Boys were given Daura-Suruwal (manly clothes), khukuri (knife), bow and arrow, and they were taught some moral values that man should learn such as hunting skills, not to offer flower to his sister, should not mix his clothes and utensils with his sisters, learn to make arms, etc. This is the indication that boy has turned into manhood and he should learn masculine values. Similarly, girls are given Gunyu (womenly clothes ), ornaments, accessories, shawal, sickel, etc. She is equipped with life-skill such as knitting, weaving, and other moral values. In this way, she is taught to be feminine.

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Source: Kirat Yakthung Chumlung, Nepal