Brothers, Sisters....its Bhai Tikka!

Today I went to Kumar's house (my leather sample maker), he had invited me to his daughter Alisha's Bhai Tika ceremony with her younger brother and cousin.

Alisha performed this ceremony to her two 'brothers' including putting dots of the brightly coloured powder paste and a mixture of dry rice and red powder, on their foreheads.  They had big plates of food gifts and incense which she gave them, as well as garlands they wore around their neck.

It was beautifully colourful and great to see them perform it in their own home, I was greatful to be part of it!

"The last day of Tihar is Bhai Tika, when sisters put tika on foreheads of brothers, to ensure long life, and thank them for the protection they give.  When the sisters give the tika, the brothers give gifts or money in return. A special garland is made for the brothers out of a flower that wilts after a couple of months, symbolizing the sister's prayer for her brother's long life."

Kumar also gave me some brightly coloured lights that look like flowers with smily faces on! And they flash in different ways - be great to decorate my flat!

Cycling back, I noticed that lots of people had also performed the ceremony already this morning, with the noticeable coloured dots tikka and the flower garlands.  Most families seem to go to each other's houses throughout the day, so different family members can perform the ceremony to each other.  Kumar and his family were going to his sister's house south of the city, so he could perform the ceremony with her. Seems like a good way for families to catch up!

Happy Bhai Tikka!

 

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Dancing in the Streets! Happy Tihar!

Its festival season here in Nepal at the moment! Great atmosphere but hard to get work done as there are endless holidays and festivities during October.

Tihar is a five day Nepali festival incorporating the Hindu Festival of Divali.  Lots of houses and business premises are covered with little lights, it looks so festive! Reminds me of Christmas in the UK!

In the markets and bazaars across town, there has been a flurry of activity, everyone buying decorations for their home and supplies for the puja ceremonies.  The bussle of people and amazing colours was a lot more fun to watch than a christmas rush on Oxford Street for sure!

Yesterday was Laxmi Puja where the Goddess of Wealth, Laxmi is celebrated. Walking through the neighbourhood I am living in, every family had lit candles and made Rangoli decorative designs infront of their houses and businesses, on the street, to welcome prosperity and wellbeing.

Every-one was celebrating in their houses and on the streets, with kids going from house to house to play music and dance, traditionally asking for money and sweets for their performance. Looked like more fun than halloween!

Happy Tihar every-one!

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Our first AURA QUE collaboration for ethical products with Jobs Australia

AURA QUE has recently worked with Jobs Australia, creating gift products with their logo for their National Conference in Brisbane: 12-14th October 2011.

"Jobs Australia supports and represents the interests of non-profit employment and related service organisations that exist to achieve a fair and equitable Australia.

Jobs Australia is the national peak body for nonprofit organisations that assist unemployed people to get and keep jobs. The network helps members to make the most effective use of their resources and promotes the needs of unemployed people for the services and support that will help them to participate fully in society."

Thanks to Jen Mercer and all at Jobs Australia for this opportunity; looking forward to working with you again!

Here are some pictures from the production - we just managed to get it finished before the Dashain festival in Nepal, thank goodness!

See the full gallery on Posterous

Meera, the production manager, distributing cut cloth to the women for stitching the cotton bags.

Working out the correct colours with pantone references for the hand screen-printed Jobs Australia logo.

Various products samples, including cotton bag, and leather gifts such as notebook designs and travel wallet.

For any companies or organisations wishing to have cotton, leather or paper products with their logo and design, AURA QUE would love to work with you on designs and liase directly with our producers to make the best product for you!  Please get in touch: info@auraque.com

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Time off to trek to the Himalaya!

With the festival of Dashain in full flow, I decided to make the most of the week holiday and escape to the mountains to trek to the Annapurna Base Camp with friends that were visiting me in Nepal.  I had done the trek nearly 9 years before on my first visit to Nepal.  It was great to see the mountains and escape from the city....

These are two pictures from my trek in early 2003, getting to Base Camp in the snow.....

Breakfast looking out at the Himalaya....

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