Published
After a long travel day and an afternoon out in the village, the Tharu cultural programme is often the moment your Chitwan trip really begins. It's informal, a little noisy in the best way, and the stick dance is the part everyone remembers. You'll find the practical details on our Tharu cultural show page.
How the evening fits in
On our 1, 2, 3 and 4-night packages, the cultural programme takes place on your first evening, around dinner time. On the 4 nights / 5 days itinerary, for example, dinner is at 6.30pm and the programme follows at 7pm. Traditionally, performances were held in the evening before dinner, with drinks and roasted meats, so do check the timing and venue with us for your dates.
Who the Tharu are
The Tharu people are indigenous to the Terai, the southern lowlands of Nepal, and have lived in Chitwan for a long time. Tradition has it that their ancestors came from Rajasthan, driven out when the Moghuls invaded India. Their music and dances grew out of everyday life on the land around the park.
What you'll see
The stick dance is performed by a group of dancers who strike wooden sticks together in time with the drums as they move. It's quick, precise and quite loud. There are usually other dances and songs too, and sometimes an invitation to join in at the end. Nobody minds if you get the steps wrong. Most of us do.
Being a good audience
- Ask before photographing people up close, and keep the flash off. - Put your phone down for at least one dance. It's much better live. - Applaud generously. It's appreciated. - Ask your guide about the meaning behind the dances afterwards. There's usually a story. - If you're invited to dance, have a go. It's the best part of the evening.
See more of Tharu life
The cultural show is only one side of Tharu culture. To see how people live day to day, join a Tharu village visit, which on most of our packages takes place on the afternoon you arrive. There's also a Tharu Culture Museum in the area, which we can include on request.
Which package?
Each of our 1 to 4-night safari packages includes a cultural evening. If you're short on time, the 1 night / 2 days package pairs the village visit and the cultural programme on day one with a morning safari before you leave.