Cultural Hybridity at Gai Jatra: From Sacred Ritual to Social Movement Platform

Abstract

Gai Jatra is a festival celebrated by Newar community of Nepal in memory and honor of deceased family members and it is known for integration of satirical humor, processions and public performances. In recent year the festival has become a space for social movements and advocacy for rights by LGBTQ+ community demonstrated through Pride Parade. Being based on this the study attempts to address how the intersection of indigenous ritual and contemporary social movement reshapes the cultural meaning of Gai Jatra through the processes of cultural hybridity. The study aims to examine the impact of LGBTQ+ participation in indigenous festival, particularly of Blue Diamond Society, a sexual health and rights organization founded in 2001 A.D. and attempts to understand community perceptions of this shift. The qualitative approach and thematic analysis has been used to identify patterns of cultural change and negotiation. The findings shows that Gai Jatra has become a hybrid space in which indigenous ritual and LGBTQ+ activism interacts creating a shared space for remembering deceased and contemporary social expression.