Bits and Pieces of a Nepali Household

Hajaari (हजारी) - Watering Can

Watering can (हजारी) -Hajaari

It is a type of watering can that is used to put water for the vegetables and flowers of the garden. The capacity of this can ranges from 10-20 liters but not limited. The tout of the nozzle consists of dotted holes from which a spreading fountain of water can be poured.

Guleli (गुलेली) - Catapult

Catapult - (गुलेली)

It is a bifurcated wooden tool to hit a prey. It consists of a handle to grasp by one fist and a rubber belt with a central sling to hold pelts for hitting a target. Rural bird hunters can effectively use it to kill birds in tens of yards away.

Dhungri (ढुङ्ग्री) - kitchen pipe

Dhungri (ढुङ्ग्री) - Kitchen Pipe

It is a type of kitchen winding pipe usually made up of bamboo or less commonly iron metals. If fire is dying then breath is blown from this pipe to rekindle the embers. This dhungri is essential for traditional hearth and bhuse chuli (a metal hearth fueled by wooden powder). With the arrival of kerosene and gas stove, the practice of dhungri whistling has been disappearing.

Naanglo (नाङ्लो) -

Nanglo (नाङ्लो)

It is a round bamboo wicker material used to separate wastes and husks from the grains.

Dhakki (ढक्की)

Dhakki (ढक्की)

It is also a homemade flower holder which commonly finds its utility in the worshipping room. Flowers are stored in a dhakki before it is offered to the idols.

Chalni (चाल्नी वा चाल्नु )- sieve

Chalni (चाल्नी वा चाल्नु )- bamboo sieve

This is a round bamboo wicker just like naanglo bu the difference is the bamboo shafts are separated so as to form a meshwork of holes.  

Daalo (डालो)

Daalo (डालो)

Daalo is a four-sided traditional bamboo wicker with deeper dimensions. It is used to store crops for short period.

Dhupauro (धुपौरो)

Dhupauro (धुपौरो)

It is a clay pot for offering incense. First of embers are kept in it and incenses are offered in the fire especially during worship. After the yoghurt is churned to make Mahi, a butter is produced. This butter is also presented in the fire in dhupauro as a process of sanctification and god offering.

Ghum (घुम)

Ghum (घुम)

It is a traditional Nepali raincoat essential while paddy planting because in the rainy season neither of the sheltering material works. It is strewn with bamboo shafts and saal ko paat with a plastic covering. Since it is rigid and is worn on the back, farmers can use both the hands free.

Tasala (तसला)

Tasala (तसला) or Kasaudi

It is a traditional Nepali household utensil to cook rice. Even nowadays, this utensil is mandatory to cook rice when Hindu sons observe holy quarantine after their fathers die. It is made up of bronze or brass.

Perungo (पेरुङ्गो)

Perungo (पेरुङ्गो)

It is a bamboo strewn material to hold stuffs to transport them for a day or two. Generally, hens are transported to the market for sales in perunggo.

Mukhauro (मुखौरो )

Mukhauro (मुखौरो )

It is also a bamboo strewn tool to cover the mouth of livestock like goat, oxen or cow that prevents them from grazing when making them walk or while plowing the field. In the picture above, you can see a basket bag that has covered the mouth of both oxen.

Thaili (थैली)

Thaili (थैली)

It is a traditional Nepali money bag used by older Nepali women for keeping money in. Nowadays, it is also used as a gift material for the foreigners and finds its greater use as a fashion materials. Thaili used to be the integral part of traditional Nepali costume and were made up of Dhaka or Makhamali clothes. 

Theki and Madani (ठेकी र मदानी )

Theki and Madani (ठेकी र मदानी )

A pair of wooden tools to churn the curd in order to make mahi is called Theki and Madani. Theki is a large deodar curd holder in which curd is stirred by madani, the small wooden stick with multiple studs at one end.

Picture Courtesy: The Gundruk Post

In the picture, we can see an old Nepali man churning curd for butter. The process of butter churning requires five components: The first is Theki where curd is made by storing milk overnight. Second component is Madani the head of which is put inside of Theki. The shaft of Madani offers wrapping zone for two other components (ropes). The upper rope is for support from the fifth component called wooden anchor. Even wooden pillars or Tham can be used for anchor. The lower rope is called Neti which is wrapped few more rounds so that both the ends can be hand-pulled alternately. With each pull, madani rotates and churns the curd or yogurt underneath. The ultimate goal is to separate butter (nauni) from the white liquid (mahi). 

Doko and namlo (डोको र नाम्लो)

Doko (डोको)

namlo (नाम्लो)

A pair of basket and a rope used in farming and animal husbandry is called Doko and Namlo. Doko is a bamboo-made material to collect, transport and store grass and fodder for livestock. Namlo is a rope to carry Doko. Doko is carried on tha back while namblo is worn on the head.

Karuwa (करुवा)

Karuwa करुवा

It is a type of pitcher used to hold water for two purposes: 1) for offering jal to the deities before starting the worship or water is stored for divine activities 2) for drinking water without touching parts of mouth. So only the respected guests and seniors are allowed to drink water from karuwa. Karuwa is made up of a bit expensive metal alloy that we call Dhallot.

Amkhora or Ankhora (अंखोरा)

Aesthetic Amkhora or Ankhora अंखोरा

General purpose Amkhora or Ankhora अंखोरा

It is also water pitcher used to hold water for general human drinking without touching mouth parts. Amkhora is used for water drinking while dining because Karuwa is thought to be holy utensil so we can't touch it while eating. Generally children are not allowed to drink from Amkhora. Aesthetic amkhoras are used for beautifying home interior and worship room because they look beautiful with the artistic engravings and yellow metallic luster. General purpose amkhoras are common kitchenware.

Lohota (लोहोटा लोटा)

Lohota or Lota लोहोटा लोटा

Lohota or simply Lota is another type of pitcher for storing water. These utensils are used in trivial and less respectful activities. Lohota is used to pour water while dishwashing or to take water while going to the latrines. They are generally kept outside home or around washing sink.

Tapari (टपरी) = Leaf plate

Dried Tapari (टपरी ): Leaf plate

Fresh  Tapari टपरी Leaf plate

It is a traditional green plate made up of the leaves of Shorea robusta (sal) plant. They find their uses, nowadays, only in holy functions of Hinduism like nwaran, shraddha, jaladan, barakhi, saptaha, rudri, etc. Devotees put rice, paddy and fruits in Tapari. It is made by knitting the green leaves of shorea robusta by small bamboo sinka (sticks). Many years ago, in wedding ceremony, foods were served in Tapari. But these days, this type of tradition is completely disappeared.

Duna (दुना) = Leaf Bowl

Duna (दुना) = Leaf Bowl

Duna is the bowl made up of natural leaves of Shorea robusta (sal ko pat). While tapari is a round and slightly notched leaf plate that needs 8-12 leaf foils Duna only needs two leaf foils. Liquid or jal, prasad, janai supari and dakshina is put in duna.

Bohota (बोहोता)

Bohota (बोहोता)

Bohota is also a big sized bowl made by the Shorea robusta leaves and is used in holy functions. They are equally used in Newari Bhoj.