Hangma Limbu

But I remember one particular event of that Dashain: my five rupees note. Growing up, I always cherished the red notes, especially the 5 and 20 rupees notes. Mainly, it gave me my chocolates from the shop. And even from the red notes, I loved the smallest, the 5 rupees.

I was always envious of my friends who had mamaghar near their house. They would go there every weekend and return with stories about their cousins. It was fascinating to hear how free and happy their weekends sounded when they went to their mamaghar.

In Nepali society and culture, we believe in ‘Bhakal’, which means a prayer or vow made from the heart. When the wish is fulfilled, people repay it with an offering or a pilgrimage to a temple. That’s what my mother says she did when she prayed to the goddess of Manakamana for a daughter.

As time changes its course, so do our daily lives. Be it a change of moving places or a change of clothes. In my life, the place I lived felt a change when my family moved.

I was quite young when the evening market still existed. In my memories the fluorescent light and the sound of crickets are still imprinted, along with the specific smell of vegetables and fruits. Many people would scatter and push through the crowds to get the best price from the best vendors.

Hangma Hukpa Chongbang: I remember how my non Limbu friends tried to pronounce my full, hefty name. Whenever someone new gets to know that I am not just ‘Hangma Limbu’ but ‘Hangma Hukpa Chongbang’, there is always a confused and curious face behind it.

It felt like us grown ups, tall and built with memories intact, but no longer as free and wild as we used to be.

He now lives in the city, but time and again, he dreams of going back to his house of youth, as if to relive that youth once again.