“I have no wealth, only happiness.” (Anandwati Devi Yadav, Birpur, Saptari)
“He is my neighbour’s boy, but I do have a year old son. I was married young, maybe 17 or …
Koshi Tappu Saptari
Sometimes, a photograph needs no story.
“We left at 9 to collect grass and it is almost mid day. We cannot sit here and talk to …
“I am going to the temple to offer water to god. To make him happy.” Why do you want to …
“I spent half of my life in the hills. I was an agriculture technician appointed by the government office. And …
“I drove a Fork Lane while I was in Saudi. I was good at it and my employers were happy …
“I am still not done for the day. Work is never ending for a women. But men easily go to …
Man Kumari Gurung Bhujung 1, Lamjung
“Nothing ever changed when I cried, so I decided I was going to laugh instead.”
Dil Bahadur Gurung Bhujung 1, Lamjung
To get the key to the box was the most difficult thing I have done in my life. Back then, we had one room and everyone slept in the same room. Father hung the key in a rope he wore around his neck.
Binita Gurung Bhujung 1, Lamjung
I want to make sure that my children and their children will still get to wear our traditional dresses and jewellery that I get to wear during festivals.
Juni Gurung Bhujung 1, Lamjung
“I have acted in 3 movies. And I have sung many songs. For other people who come as guests and …
“I come from a very remote place in Nepal, from the base of the Makalu Mountain. My father and mother …
“I am only because she is.” (Kesh Man Gurung & Sunita Gurung, Besisahar, Lamjung)
“13 years ago, my husband fell from the seventh floor of a building while installing a water tank. He sustained …
“I did not think much when I ran away from home to India. I was only 13. It was just …
Madan Singh Gurung Bhujung 1, Lamjung
I am also a honey hunter, you might just see me on National Geography if you watch closely.
Aama Bhujung 1, Lamjung
“I have been useful all my life. Now that I am old, I do not want to be called useless. …
Pyari Ama Bhujung 1, Lamjung
I was able to take one more picture of Pyari Ama before she headed to the fields and for the …
Bhumika Gurung Bhujung 4, Lamjung
“Focus on taking your picture Dai, you will not have to teach me how to pose.”
Pyari Gurung Bhujung 4, Lamjung
My first month in India people would comment on what I wore. You see, I did not have a Saree and I was more comfortable in my traditional attire and jewellery that I wore. But in order to fit in, I had to give that up and I started wearing a Saree. Every time, I returned home to the village, I would take out my village clothes and jewellery, clean them and wear it.
Aas Kumari Gurung & Kumari Gurung Bhujung 4, Lamjung
“Sometimes I borrow sugar from her, sometimes salt.” “She can borrow my heart, no problem.”
Bhujung Lamjung
No words were exchanged, only smiles.
Pahara Gurung Bhujung 4, Lamjung
Many children and women died of diseases as there were no hospitals. People relied on traditional healing practices and rituals. Those gods did not always work for us. Fetching drinking water was the most difficult thing in life, you had to go to the source which was several hours away. Even during winter, I was always trying to get away from all that.
“I have sold all my beans and now I am heading back home. It is across the suspension bridge from …
“Her father had passed away at an early age and her mother abandoned her when she was 3 years old. …
Som Gurung & Bhumika Gurung Bhujung 1, Lamjung
“We are the lead in a music video about our village. I mean to say she is, I just follow …
“Landslides are a bit part in my life story. I will start from the beginning, if you care to listen. …
“I do not know what she wants to become. But whatever she wants to, I will let her be.” (Jay …
Tek Bahadur Gurung Bhujung 4, Lamjung
Everyone here lives in close proximity. No house has a wall and no household hides a secret. My troubles are my neighbours troubles and my neighbours family is no less than my own family. But I must tell you the truth too.
“I remember father cry with mother one evening. I only assumed it was his struggles raising us that troubled him. …
“When my son brought her home, she looked nervous. But I told her, ‘Why worry? You help me and I …
Guraing Dai Bhujung 1, Lamjung
“I have not taken anything, I will have nothing to leave. I am here, and I will go just as …
“When I was nine, a spirit took me to the forest. Unbeknownst to my father and mother who search frantically …
“I rented a room in her house to store the utensils that I would sell high in the hills. There …
Bhujung Lamjung
And once again, I forgot to ask questions…
“You will not have to ask me to smile for the camera. This is me, all the time.” (Pushpa Gupta, …
“When I was young, father would tell me not to cry over little things, over what did not work out …
“My position at the post office is called the Halkara. I am responsible for delivering letters to villagers in the …
“There is not much I remember of father. I was only 10 when he passed away. I only have very …
“Once, I was kidnapped. They took me to the forest. They made me walk for several hours. They would whisper …
“I walked barefoot until the age of 21. One day father sat me by his side and asked me, ‘Son, …
“How could I express how much I love her in mere words.” (Panauti 7, Kavre)
“When I was 13, I ran away from home with friends to see the city. Little did I know the …
“Our daughters teach us the meaning of life, they make our life worth living. There are people who try to …
“Mother sold leaves outside temples. And I walked beside her while she carried the Doko. I was probably 7 or …
(2/2) “After my first daughter I had six children. The second one was a son which made my in-laws happy. …
(1/2) “Sit besides me with a strong heart, I will tell you my story. I was given away to an …
“We have been married for over 50 years. Put your arms around me for the picture, will you?” (Chan Maya …
“I had a happy life with my two daughters and my wife. But at 14 months my youngest daughter died …
“Sometimes, we just laugh at each other so that we can momentarily forget our problems.” (Tika Ram Rai & Bimala …
“I was the eldest of the daughters and at 13, I was to finally go to school. Mother had convinced …
“When people said I cannot drive a Tuk Tuk, I showed them. Now, I save 5-6 thousands a month and …
“What a funny question. I do not know how much he loves me, but he did encourage me to go …
“I am the youngest of all the siblings and everyone loves me – all my brothers and sisters. When there …
“I wonder what women are. I sit and think. The men are different, always ordering and having what they want. …
“You do not have to tell me that I look good. It is a known thing around here.” (Bhakta Kambang, …
“Parents punished me for my mischiefs, and teachers disciplined me for disobeying them. As a kid, I always wondered why …
“We have been married for 9 years. We fell in love, you could say, but it was no arranged marriage. …
“Once I distributed all my oranges to a group of hungry kids.” (Kamal Bahadur Khatri, Mane Bhanjyang 7, Bhojpur)