The Country
Kailash Blades is different to a lot of other businesses out there.
The products we make, the way we make them and the way we sell them are all a result of the unique opportunities and characteristics of our Country, Nepal.
Historically Nepal has been a very isolated country. Completely landlocked and bordered by only India and Tibet (the latter of which it is walled off from by the himalayas), it developed and maintained a varied and unique culture over the centuries in the face of attempted invasions by both local and foreign powers as well as the modern threat of globalisation.
A major reason for it's ability to resist the rest of the world is the geography of the country itself. As one of the highest and most mountainous countries in the world, crossing Nepal is a formidable challenge, not only for foreigners but for the locals too. Over time these deep valleys acted as microcosms of cultural evolution, with divergent languages, traditions and cultures developing not only on either side of the towering mountains but also in the communities of those sturdy enough to reside among the peaks.
These separate kingdoms were united for the first time in the latter half of the 18th century by Privthi Naryan Shah, the then king of Ghorka. He saw the country as a "yam wedged between two boulders" and saw that if the country was to defend itself from the two giant nations on either side of it they needed to stand collectively and remain as independent as possible.
This viewpoint more or less set the direction for the rest of Nepal's history as they fiercely defended themselves from attempted annexations from both China and the British Raj, the latter of which earned them great respect amongst the British and eventually led to a very healthy relationship. through this relationship the hardy Gurkha soldiers of the Nepalese military came to fight as mercenaries under the British flag, spreading tales of Nepal to the world.
While the economy in Nepal is less based around wool, copper and tea nowadays and more reliant on tourism, the Gurkhas and the khukuris they wield remain a strong symbol of national Pride for the Nepalese.
Kailash Blades is different to a lot of other businesses out there.
The products we make, the way we make them and the way we sell them are all a result of the unique opportunities and characteristics of our Country, Nepal.
Historically Nepal has been a very isolated country. Completely landlocked and bordered by only India and Tibet (the latter of which it is walled off from by the himalayas), it developed and maintained a varied and unique culture over the centuries in the face of attempted invasions by both local and foreign powers as well as the modern threat of globalisation.
A major reason for it's ability to resist the rest of the world is the geography of the country itself. As one of the highest and most mountainous countries in the world, crossing Nepal is a formidable challenge, not only for foreigners but for the locals too. Over time these deep valleys acted as microcosms of cultural evolution, with divergent languages, traditions and cultures developing not only on either side of the towering mountains but also in the communities of those sturdy enough to reside among the peaks.
These separate kingdoms were united for the first time in the latter half of the 18th century by Privthi Naryan Shah, the then king of Ghorka. He saw the country as a "yam wedged between two boulders" and saw that if the country was to defend itself from the two giant nations on either side of it they needed to stand collectively and remain as independent as possible.
This viewpoint more or less set the direction for the rest of Nepal's history as they fiercely defended themselves from attempted annexations from both China and the British Raj, the latter of which earned them great respect amongst the British and eventually led to a very healthy relationship. through this relationship the hardy Gurkha soldiers of the Nepalese military came to fight as mercenaries under the British flag, spreading tales of Nepal to the world.
While the economy in Nepal is less based around wool, copper and tea nowadays and more reliant on tourism, the Gurkhas and the khukuris they wield remain a strong symbol of national Pride for the Nepalese.
Since its inception as a nation, the huge ethnic variety of Nepal has been both a strength and a weakness. While the country technically has a hindu majority with 81% of the population, most nepali people take a more personal approach to religion, structuring their own belief systems from a mix of hinduism, buddhism, christianity and even islam or indigenous religions like the ancestor worship based Kirant Mundhum.
With over 120 different ethnic groups, and such broad religious demographics it should come as no surprise that Nepal has the most public holidays of any country on earth, with it at times seeming like the nation is one neverending festival. This strong culture of celebrating all of these beliefs and identities is a major reason that Nepal has managed to maintain such a harmonious multicultural society where western countries would fail.
A downside of this huge diversity is that Nepal has 92 different native languages and while Nepali is the official language of the country, it is only spoken by less than half of it's citizens. This not only makes general communication difficult, but it also creates issues of social mobility and access to education.
While someone born in Kathmandu may have learnt Nepali from birth, allowing them ease of study and easier integration into government or other official work, a person born in the western hills region may speak two or more local languages but be left with great difficulty accessing education or higher employment. In recent years the surge in requirements for spoken english in science, tourism and business has furthered this divide even more.
An even larger reason for the wealth and education divide between ethnic groups is the Hindu caste system, which while outlawed in the mid twentieth century continues to be a cause of disadvantage and discrimination for those born into a historically lower ethnic group.
This can occur through active discrimination based on an individuals last name or simply through the fact that those who have come from less educated and less wealthy families have access to less money and time to spend on educating or helping their children advance in society.
Since its inception as a nation, the huge ethnic variety of Nepal has been both a strength and a weakness. While the country technically has a hindu majority with 81% of the population, most nepali people take a more personal approach to religion, structuring their own belief systems from a mix of hinduism, buddhism, christianity and even islam or indigenous religions like the ancestor worship based Kirant Mundhum.
With over 120 different ethnic groups, and such broad religious demographics it should come as no surprise that Nepal has the most public holidays of any country on earth, with it at times seeming like the nation is one neverending festival. This strong culture of celebrating all of these beliefs and identities is a major reason that Nepal has managed to maintain such a harmonious multicultural society where western countries would fail.
A downside of this huge diversity is that Nepal has 92 different native languages and while Nepali is the official language of the country, it is only spoken by less than half of it's citizens. This not only makes general communication difficult, but it also creates issues of social mobility and access to education.
While someone born in Kathmandu may have learnt Nepali from birth, allowing them ease of study and easier integration into government or other official work, a person born in the western hills region may speak two or more local languages but be left with great difficulty accessing education or higher employment. In recent years the surge in requirements for spoken english in science, tourism and business has furthered this divide even more.
An even larger reason for the wealth and education divide between ethnic groups is the Hindu caste system, which while outlawed in the mid twentieth century continues to be a cause of disadvantage and discrimination for those born into a historically lower ethnic group.
This can occur through active discrimination based on an individuals last name or simply through the fact that those who have come from less educated and less wealthy families have access to less money and time to spend on educating or helping their children advance in society.
Nepal today stands as a country with one foot in the past and one foot in the future.
The country is becoming more globalised at a rapid rate, with the internet channelling western culture and ideas into the minds of it's people at a rate faster than ever before.
Tourism is growing even larger as an industry and Nepalese culture and nature is becoming increasingly heavily monetised and actively sold to foreigners.
It's national energy grid is 90% hydroelectricity but only 40% of the country's populace has access to any form of electricity. While the rich people in the cities drive BMW's, a huge portion of the country doesn't have access to clean drinking water or waste disposal.
Finally, Nepal finds itself in the same situation it always has been, wedged between two giant countries that are unconcerned with Nepal's wellbeing, though this time they are both on the verge of becoming the newly dominant world superpowers.
Going forward, The People of Nepal and its Government will have to make some hard decisions regarding how much they value their national identity and how much they value growth as a country. Whatever the outcome may be, it is certain that they will make these decisions with determination, pride and an independent spirit as they have throughout the ages.
Nepal today stands as a country with one foot in the past and one foot in the future.
The country is becoming more globalised at a rapid rate, with the internet channelling western culture and ideas into the minds of it's people at a rate faster than ever before.
Tourism is growing even larger as an industry and Nepalese culture and nature is becoming increasingly heavily monetised and actively sold to foreigners.
It's national energy grid is 90% hydroelectricity but only 40% of the country's populace has access to any form of electricity. While the rich people in the cities drive BMW's, a huge portion of the country doesn't have access to clean drinking water or waste disposal.
Finally, Nepal finds itself in the same situation it always has been, wedged between two giant countries that are unconcerned with Nepal's wellbeing, though this time they are both on the verge of becoming the newly dominant world superpowers.
Going forward, The People of Nepal and its Government will have to make some hard decisions regarding how much they value their national identity and how much they value growth as a country. Whatever the outcome may be, it is certain that they will make these decisions with determination, pride and an independent spirit as they have throughout the ages.
