ETHNICITY

Nepal has a very diverse network of cultures, languages and ethnicity just as its diverse geographical locations and topography. In the northern regions or in the high altitude Himalayan regions, live the Tibetan-speaking groups namely Sherpas, Dolpas, Lopas, Baragaonlis, Manangis. The Sherpas are mainly found in the east in the Solu and Khumbu  region; the Baragaonlis and Lopas live in the semi-deserted areas of Upper and Lower Mustang in the Tibetan rain-shadow area; the Managis live in Manang district area; while the Dolpos live in Dolpa district of West Nepal, one of the highest settlements on our planet at 4,000 meters.
A diverse set of ethnic groups live in the middle mountain ranges, hills and the valleys. Diverse ethnic groups living together in harmony may be noted as a great tradition of the middle hills and valleys. The following groups of people are commonly found living in the mid-hills: Magars, Gurungs, Tamangs, Sunuwars, Newars, Thakalis, Chepangs, Brahmans and Chhetris. Brahmans and Chhetris are comparatively larger communities and their dominance in various walks of life in Nepal is noticeable. Other occupational groups of people are Damai (tailor), Sarki (cobbler), Kami (blacksmith) and Sunar (goldsmiths).
The Kathmandu Valley represents a cultural cauldron of the country, where, people from varied backgrounds live together. It is model area of cultural dilution, a melting pot of Nepal. The  natives of Kathmandu Valley are the Newars. They are generally termed as one ethnic group these days, but it is, in fact, a diluted and integrated nation of diverse ethnic groups of people who came to Kathmandu valley at different times in course of the history. Newari culture is also an integration of both Hinduism and Buddhism.
The main ethnic groups in the low-land plain areas of Nepal, popularly known as Terai, are the  Tharus, Darai, Kumhal, Majhi, Maithili, Bhojpuri, Awadhi and Rajbanshi. There are many other  groups like Majhi (fishermen), Kumhal (potter) and Danuwar (cart driver), Dhimal (???)  etc.The following population breakdown shows the broad picture of major ethnic groups of Nepal.
POPULATION OF MAJOR ETHNIC GROUPS                                                     

ETHNIC GROUP POPULATION
BRAHMAN                                      23,88,455
CHHETRI                                          29,68,082
CHEPANG                                            36,656
GURUNG                                            4,49,189
LIMBU 2,97,186
MUSLIM 6,53,055
MAGAR 13,39,308
NEWAR 10,41,090
RAI 5,25,551
RAUTE 2,878
SHERPA 1,10,358
THARU 11,94,224
THAKURI 2,99,473
THAKALI 13,731
TAMANG 10,18,252 

EIGHTFOLD PATH

Noble eight-fold path is also known as the middle path shown by Lord Buddha for complete freedom from all sufferings. The four noble truths and the eightfold path are the basic tenets of the teachings of the Buddha. For understanding the realities of the life and getting rid of all root causes of suffering, and to attain the stage of enlightenment, the following eight pathways have been recommended by Lord Buddha: (a) Sammaditthi or Right view, (b) Sammasankappa or Right Motive, (c) Sammavaca or Right Speech, (d) Sammakammanta or Right action, (e) Samma-Ajiva or Right livelihood, (f) Sammavayama or Right effort, (g) Sammasti or Right Mindfulness, and (h) Sammasamadhi or Right concentration. 
To put them in other words:
• Right view is to understand the four noble truths.
• Right motive is to determine to lead a truthful and noble life.
• Right speech for speaking the truth and refrain from lies
• Right conduct is to keep doing good things and to abstain from wrong actions.
• Right livelihood is to maintain and lead life by all honest means.
• Right effort is to endeavour for maintaining and progressing moral development efforts.
• Right mindfulness is to constantly remember the transitoriness of physical existence, emotions, greed, anger and desires
• Right concentration is to strengthen mind and to make it pure, unattached and bright.
See “Buddhism”

ECOMOMY

With the origin of mankind, it was natural that most basic need, food was required and to fulfil this need, the stone-age man had roots, wild fruits and animal flesh and lived virtually like animals. Later hunting became the main source of living followed by collective agriculture. Agriculture made it possible for dress making and animal husbandry. Gopal and Mahispal communities were wanderers but had domesticated animals. Kirats hunted on animals and ate roots. Only from the time of the Lichchhavis, agriculture, animal husbandry, trade, industry and jobs became established professions.
Nepal being a developing country, its economy is basically agronomical and labour-based. In recent years, the country’s efforts to expand its economy into diverse areas including manufacturing industries and other technological sectors have achieved much progress. Farming is still the main economic activity followed by manufacture of various products as well as trade and tourism. The chief sources of foreign currency earnings are merchandise, export, services, tourism and remittances people working abroad. The annual Gross Domestic Product GDP) is about US$ 4.3 billion.

DURGA

Renowned for killing Mahisasura, the buffalo demon, Durga is a wrathful form of Parvati. She is also known as Mahisha-mardini, one who killed the demon Maishasura and salvaged the human race from the tortures of demons. She is projected as the ferocious Goddess with many arms with a weapon in each of those hands. She is sometime shown holding the tail of her victim giving the impression that she could have held the body of the demon for killing him apparently at the very moment when the demon was about to draw his sword in self-defence. She is mostly shown sitting astride on top of a lion with her four hands holding in each a sword, a club, a louts flower and a dire in other hands. However, Her face always remains calm and gentle. Also see Parvati.

DUMJI

Unlike Mani Rimdu, Dumji festival of Sherpa community is the festival of the community as a whole and is observed on the full-moon day of Asadh (June). People rejoice on this day with their manifold festive activities including dancing and singing.

DUDH KOSI RIVER

Dudh kosi forms one of the seven components rivers of the Kosi river system which joins Sun Kosi near a place known as Jayaram Ghat. This river is believed to have originated from a pond in the Khumbu Himal which is known as Dudh Pokhari or the milk pond. It is named as such, perhaps, because of its milky-green glacial waters of the Everest region. Dudh means milk. 

DOTI

This is a district in Bheri Zone with headquarters in Silgadi. The population of this district is 207,066.

DOLPELI

Dolpeli or Dolpo is the name of the language spoken by Dolpos. A small population of 5,000 to 10,000 people according to 1998 census, Dolpeli is spoken mainly in the mountains of Dolpa. Major Dolpeli speaking areas are the villages of Goomatara, Kola, Tachel, Kani, Bajebara, Laun, Chilpara, Bantari, Byas which are all located at higher parts of above Dolpa until Tibet.

DOLPO

The inhabitants of Dolpa are known as Dolpos. They live in nearly 40 settlements scattered throughout the district of Dolpa at altitudes of 13,000 to 14,000 feet above sea level. Their physical features and habits largely resemble those of the Lhakpas, though the Dolpo women wear different and unique styled dresses and ornaments. They are farmers, but their chief occupation is animal husbandry. Religiously, they practice both Bon-po and Buddhism. Sky burial is their peculiar practice. As such, when someone dies they cut the dead body into pieces and subsequently feed to the vultures by throwing pieces of meat in the sky. Polyandry is a social practice, and their language and dress choices very much resemble Tibetan communities.

DOLPA

Dolpa or Dolpo is the name of a district as well as of a particular ethnic group. Dolpo is a remote district of Karnali zone which is located in the northern side of Dhaulagiri mountain range. This district is known for its wide, remote and distinctively different  geographical areas, scantly populated and difficult, and an un-spoilt, romantic topography. A small community of approximately 30,000 Dolpo’s live in this district in out-of-way villages in the high mountains. This small population lives in a number of villages scattered in wide areas between Karnali river on the southern side and the Tibetan border to the north. They speak their own native language also known as Dolpo or Dorpeli.

Dolpa district is still untouched by a road networks or linkage with other districts. The huge challenge it poses for transport and movement notwithstanding, this district is also an attraction for trekkers and tourists for the height its lakes are located in and the beautiful landscapes in the high-raised mountains. Rare species like the Nilgaai (meaning blue cow) are found in this district. Phoksumdo lake of this district is the highest lake in the world, situated at an altitude of 16,000 ft above sea level. Dunai is the headquarters of this district. Geographically one of the largest district, it has a population of merely 29,545.