Ramapithecus of Himalayan Foothills

The modern-intelligent man has been evolved from the great-great grandmother Lucy and her sisters the Astrolopithecus-Afarensis, some 3.5 million years ago, living in Afar desert land of Ethiopia. This is what the anthropologists and paleontologists had been telling us. It is widely believed that the hominidae (or human likes) had spread throughout the world from Africa. But now, this ‘Out of Africa Theory’ has been challenged and the scientists are more and more inclined to believe that the evolution of man had occurred in several places in different time. But, where did man first emerge is the prime question, every modern intelligent man is asking. This question alone is indicative of widespread interest in this subject. To try to answer this question, we have to analyze the available geological, archeological and paleontological facts found in different time, in different countries. Then only, we can confidently estimate, as to who were the first hominids (human like creatures branched-off from tail-less apes), who could be the ancestors of fully developed human beings. [Astrolopithecus-Afrensis are supposed to be the decendents of Ramapithecus and were fully bipedal. The size of the brains of Austrolopithecus was of 500-600 sq. cm. already and capable of using natural stone weapons. Their jaw bones and teeth were more like those of the modern men.

The scientists were trying hard to find the fossilized remains of such ‘Men like Apes’ or ‘Ape like Men’, commonly termed as ‘Missing Link’ in the first quarter of twentieth century. As stated earlier, such creatures were thought to have been evolved in tropical Africa and spread to Europe and Asia. But this ‘Out of Africa Theory’ crumbled-down, when the remains of this creature called ‘Missing Link’ was discovered by G.E. Lewis. The fossilized remains of this ‘Missing Link’ found in 1935 in the Punjab-Sivalik Hills (on the foothills of Western Himalaya) had created great excitement. But, this highly reputed American team of archeologists led by Prof. Lewis, presumably had poor knowledge of Hindu Epic-Ramayana and instead of calling this some 8 million year old creature Hunumana-pithecus, called it Ramapithicus. After this, the famous British archeologist Louis S.B. Leakey found the fossilized human like broken jawbones of such creature in Kenya, in 1960. After the scientific tests, its’ age was estimated to be 14 million year old and oldest found so far. (But there was some controversy about the exact dating.) But more recently, the remains of such Ramapithecus was found in Turkey, which is accepted as the oldest (slightly older than 14 million years). Some such 8 million years old fossil was also found in Southeast China in 1958 (in Yunnan) near Northeast India and Myanmar. But what about creature of the ‘Missing Link’ (in between Man and Ape) in Central Himalaya?. This was the question, which had been baffling the scientists.

But luckily, in December 1980, the scientific team led by Dr. J.H. Hutchison, which also included Mr. Bishnu Dongol of Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, found the fossilized tooth of upper-left jawbone in a cliff by the bank of Tinau River in Butwal, near Lumbini. The Paleomagnetic Analysis in USA revealed the date of this creature to be 11 million years before present (B.P.) (But latter-on mere reliable scientific tests revealed the time to be around 9.5 million years B.P.). This most valuable antiquity has been insured for millions of rupees and placed in Natural History Museum in Swyambhu Nath Hill for display, along with other samples of that time. This finding is accepted by scientific community to be very important, because of the facts that (i) it represents the middle generation of Ramapithecus, (ii) it is third oldest in the world and oldest found in Asia and also (iii) its location falls in the centre of the straight line connecting Yunnan (China) and Turkey. (Butwal is also in this straight line connecting Punjab Himalaya).

It is generally accepted that the men - the survivors, who came to dominate the world later on and the apes along with monkeys (with tails) were the descendents of Driopithecus, who used to roam in this world some 24 million years B.P. Small sized Ramapithecus, medium sized Shivapithecus and giant sized Gigentopithicus are thought to have been evolved from Driopithecus. The fossilized remains of Driopithecus have been found in Western Himalayan foothills, in China, Egypt, Asia-Minor, Greece, Hungary, France and Germany. But no fossils of Ramapithecus have been found in Europe, Northern part of Asia, Australia and Americas.

World famous Chinese paleontologist Prof. Jia Lanpo regards Ramapithecus as a genus ancestral to man, who did not known (stone) tool making. He further notes that if tool making had begun with Australopithecus Africanus (which is accepted as fully developed humanoid) and if they were the descendents of Ramapithecus, than there is yet another ‘Missing Link’ in the gap period of some 5 million years. (Early Man in China, Foreign Language Press, Beijing, 1980). In 1994, Prof. Tim White claimed to have solved the problem of this (new) ‘Missing Link’ on the basis of his findings of fossilized remains of a hominid proved to be 4.4 million years old. (But Prof. Leakey does not fully agree. The debate is going on. Dr. Tim White also believes that such Proto-Australopithecus used to roam in Africa during the time period of 40 to 60 million years B.P.).

Prof. Jia Lanpo believes that Ramapithecus lived only in tropical and semi-tropical forests and savanna areas. They were only about 4 ft. in height, with a short face, faulted palate bone and their teeth and upper and lower jaw bones were similar to that of Australopithecus. As the dentition shows many characters like that of Homo-sapiens in its rudimentary form, this genus therefore, can be identified as the precursor of Homo-sapiens. Ramapithecus may be inferred as being able to walk in a transitional semi-erect gait. Among all known ape fossils, Ramapithecus fossil is the closest to that of man, possessing more human characteristics than any other genera. "He had crossed the threshold into the stage of hominids" - concludes this most reknowned Chinese Paleontologist Prof. Jia Lanpo. He also firmly believes that the ‘Cradle of Man’ is this triangular area covering Yunnan-Punjab (now also Butwal) and Kenya. Around this triangle, many fossils of Australopithecus, Homo-habilis, Homo-erectus and Homo-sapiens have been found, (e.g. Lucy, Chinese Astrolopithecus in transition, Java-man, Peking Man, Nederthal Man, etc.). Now, as Ramapithecus fossils have also been found in Nepal and Turkey, Prof. Jia Lanpo’s ‘Triangle’ can be modified into a quadrangle, with Himalaya in centre and as such, his theory that the ‘cradles of man’ must have been this area - holds good. Let us not forget that some 10 million years ago, Great Himalayan peaks like Dhaulagiri, Annapurna and Manalsu (which are even now rising higher and higher) were barely 1000m tall and Chure-Hills of present day Butwal, were no hills at all. Ten million years ago, there were herds of Ramapithecus roaming in the great tropical forests and savannas in the area, where the city of Butwal stands now.

Orphans in greeting cards

By Tilak Pokharel

When misfortune is something to live with, what can a child do for his/her personal development? Nothing but to follow the most possible way - stand as directed by a photographer and get his own image recorded in the camera films. Yeah, this is exactly what the orphans taking refuge at two orphanages of the capital - Hopeful Home for Orphan and Helpless Children and Nava Kiran Orphans’ Home - did with hope of some funds coming after their images were printed in the form of postcard.

Some in serious moods, some just smiling, some with beautiful grin and others in a complete laughter, whatever it is, the hopes inside the innocent faces are smouldering to find a future. By now, the children have already come in the form of postcard, thanks largely to the Royal Nepal Friendship Club (RNFC) and both the child welfare homes.

RNFC President Dipendra KC says if the small effort could alter the plight of the poor children, it is something to be proud of. "The RNFC is also planning to launch a self-sustaining training programme for the orphans so that they can earn their bread themselves," KC says.

Altogether 7,000 postcards were printed in three types. The money collected by selling the postcards will go for the welfare of the poor children who are compelled to stay inside a crammed room, roofed by hot steel plates. Take for stance, 13 little girls in the Hopeful Home for Orphan and Helpless Children stay inside a room that is hardly enough for two. However, when you go to see them, the children will greet you with beautiful smile, forgetting the grim past and the hardships they have undergone.

Kindness Without Border Group, a welfare organisation based in Alaska of the United States has already pledged to sell the postcards for the support of the orphans, said KC.

"I am trying to solicit support from some well-wishers and donors to have a better living place," says Chairperson of the Hopeful Home for Orphan and Helpless Children, Bhubaneswori Pandey, who also stays at the same place for six days a week. "But I have seen nobody who would help my children."

However, all the 42 orphans some of whom have come from Humla, Jumla, Dhading and Udaypur districts are lucky enough to go to schools, all due to the grace of two US citizens - Dr. Hesh and Dr. David - who are sponsoring school fees of the children. But Bhubaneswori is equally thankful to Bishnu Adhikari who brought the American doctors to the Happy Home. A local school named Public Boarding School has given 100 percent scholarship to one-third of the children from the Happy Home.

Also in the crowd of well-wishers and supporters of the Happy Home are contractor Gyanendra Dhoj Karki who supplies five quintals of rice grains each month, travel entrepreneurs of Thamel Dipendra KC and Raju Shrestha, B&B Hospital and SK Singh.

Seemingly the smallest kid in the Home, 8-year-old Keshav Poudel, who only remembers his name, now regularly goes to school. Keshav still has not drawn out his would-be future. "Thaha chhaina (I don’t know)" would be the answer to every possible question you ask him. But 11-year-old Bhim Tamang says he wants to become a doctor. It seems that the two grader would succeed in his dream, as he has stood first in his class.

The children at the Home are referred either by the police or by the local bodies.

Also some of the children have been directly picked up from the streets, according to Bhubaneswori.

On the other side, in the managerial circle, you might think that the chairperson, vice-chairperson and all the other members of the steering committee are hi-fi people with their influence in leading NGOs. But surprisingly, both chairperson Bhubaneswori and vice-chairperson Gopini Wosti are illiterate, but they are the only active persons in the committee.

The promising duo hailing from the rural terrains of Nuwakot district have something to be satisfied with they started the Home with their small funds. Orphaned at an age of seven and married at 17, Bhubaneswori is very much popular as aama (mother) among the orphan children. "Though I am illiterate, I am satisfied that my kids are going to a boarding school," says Bhubaneswori proudly. "Though we could not become pilots/engineers, but we are satisfied that we are serving the poorest of the poor."

Started four years ago, the Happy Home was only registered in the District Administration Office and the Social Welfare Council seven months ago, all because of the lack of knowledge and of course, money, says Bhubaneswori.

Rain Festival

Rain festival is nothing but the festivals celebrated during rainy season. As most of the people of Nepal by tradition are agriculturists based on agriculture farming they devote almost all their days in the agriculture farms. During rainy season they are very much engaged in ploughing and transplanting the rice plants on the farms. So, at the end of the rainy season they complete their transplantation works and become tired so they want to relax themselves by enjoying with some entertainment, which include usual and unusual performance. These entertainments

are based on some festivals of religious background such as Gunupunhi-Rishi Tarpani (Janai Purnima), Gai Jatra (Saparu), Mata Ya (Thee Festival of lights) and Krishna Astami. Among them, I am, now, dealing here with only Rishi Tarpani, Gai Jatra and Mata Ya. Different festival has its own identity as described below-

Gunupunhi- Rishi Tarpani (Janai Purnima)

Nepal, is ‘The land of festival’ which have religious, cultural, social, educational, and economical character. The festivals are the part and parcels of the nature. The Nepalese people have a good number of festivals. Some festivals last for a day and some continue for several days.

The festival falls on the full moon day of Shrawan and is celebrated by both Hindus and the Buddhists. It is known by several names such as Gunupunhi, Rishi-Tarpani, Raksha-Bandhan etc. In India, this day is very important and celebrated in different way, sister ties Rakhi (wristlet) on wrist of their brother and offer some sweets. The brother also give some thing to their sister (money, cloths) as a gift.

In Nepal, Brahmans, Chhetris and some Newars also changed the sacred threads. This thread is prepared by chanting of hymns, on the very day, it is to changed.

On this day Nepalese of different faith go to Gosainkunda a glacier lake near about 130 km. far from Kathmandu Valley. This is situated about an altitude16000 feet above sea level. Shiva is supposed to be resting inside the glacier lake after swallowing the poison which he took to protect the Universe. People believe that Shiva is invisible and some time visible. Those who cannot go to Gosaikunda go to Kumbeshwar of Patan. On that day people take a dip in the pond near by the Kunda, which is said to have inter-connection with the glacier lake of Gosaikunda.

The Buddhist celebrate this festival in a different way. For the whole month early in the morning the Buddhists get up in procession playing a particular musical instruments go to Swayambhunath to pay their homage.

The ‘Kwati-Punhi’ is another interesting name of this festival Kwati i.e. the collection of different varieties of beans and other cereals, which is full of protein. This is a special kind of soup rich in protein. This ceremonial soup is a must in the long list of the delicacies of Newars also prepare an special food for the occasion. It is very tasteful and considered to be an high quality tonic.

The festival celebrates generally for a period of one week. This festival take place on the next day of the Janai Purnima. About the origin of this festival it is said that this festival started by the Malla King either by Jayasthiti Malla or by Pratap Malla. Due to death of her son the Malla Queen was much grief-stricken. To console her and to make her smile this festival was started by the ruler.

Since that day not only the rulers family members but also whole Nepalese performed this function in honour of their members of the family who died during the year.

Buddhists generally don’t participate in this festival. This festival observed not only in Kathmandu but also in other towns and villages of the country on the same day.

On this day, from the early morning in Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Patan, Kirtipur, Dhankkuta, Palpa, Dharan, Terathum, Ilam, Chainpur, Taplejung and almost all the towns and villages of the country observed this festival. The local Guthi or the community fixed the time and the place of gathering except in Kathmandu, and the boys and cows having the head dressed of a cow are taken round the traditional rout routes. The purpose of this festival is to give a peace to the sortie of the deceased in the heaven. It is believed that on this day the gates of the heaven are opened.

In Patan there is a special performance called Apalan Saya of the Brahmans. On the same day in Patan Hindu and the Buddhists some one from the bereaved family go to the four stupas i.e. Ashoka Stupa (Thura) which are placed on the four corners of the town of Patan. Both Hindu and Buddhist visit the stupas as a part of their religious duty. The second phase of this festival in Kathmandu is full of comic, seen and jubilant. On this week economic, social and political criticism is allowed. They comment on national and local problems and suggestion to the Govt.

On the third day we have another festival especially at Patan. This festival starts from a proper place as pointed by the people and take procession to all the Buddhist religious places. This festival is celebrated in the memory of Buddha who concerned on all temptation. This festival is called MATA YA i.e. THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS. Mata Ya means MATA= LIGHTS and YA= FESTIVAL. In Nepal as it is assumed that Lord Buddha appeared for the first time assumed that Lord Buddha appeared for the first time in the form of Flame the people of Patan in this procession are seen walking with large tourch i.e. CHIRAGE which is made of cloths and oil.

On the other hand we had a good opportunity to look at all the Buddhist Biharas, Manuscripts, Scorolls, Paintings and so on. So, we can say that this is one of the most important festival among the RAIN FESTIVAL.

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