SEE Social Studies Notes (Unit 2: Our Traditions, Social Values and Heritage)

Unit 2: Our Traditions, Social Values and Heritage

9. If you had to pick one of Nepal's ten World Heritage Sites, which one would you choose and why?

Ans. Every one of Nepal's ten World Heritage Sites is valuable, but my choice would be Bhaktapur Durbar Square, for these reasons:

a) It is one of the best-preserved and most visited historical places in Nepal.

b) Its temples, palaces and courtyards show the finest art and building style of the Malla period.

c) Bhaktapur served as the capital of the united Malla kingdom before the Kathmandu Valley split into three kingdoms, so its streets still show how Newar people lived in medieval times.

d) Its carved wooden windows, doors and roof struts are among the finest woodwork in the world.

e) Its temples and festivals help us understand the religion and culture of that era.

f) Famous monuments such as the Palace of 55 Windows, the five-storey Nyatapola temple and the Golden Gate (Sun Dhoka) make it unique.

10. Several World Heritage Sites of Nepal are in poor condition, and UNESCO has warned that some of them could be removed from the list. Suggest five ways to preserve them.

Ans. Nepal's World Heritage Sites belong not only to Nepal but to all humanity. They show our art, culture and history and teach the younger generation about our past, so protecting them is everyone's duty. Five ways to preserve them are:

a) Run awareness programmes so that people living near the sites understand their value and help to protect them.

b) Repair and maintain the monuments regularly, using traditional materials and skilled craftsmen.

c) Make strong laws against damage, illegal construction and theft of idols, and enforce them strictly.

d) Arrange proper security, such as guards and CCTV cameras, to protect the sites and their treasures.

e) Keep hotels, shops and new buildings at a safe distance from the sites, and manage facilities for tourists properly.

11. Some musical instruments are in danger of disappearing. What should be done to preserve them?

Ans. We can save these traditional instruments in the following ways:

a) Teach students about endangered instruments as part of their school and college courses so the next generation knows how to play them.

b) The government should support the communities who traditionally play these instruments, for example with scholarships, allowances or other benefits.

c) Musicians should use these instruments in modern and pop music too, not only in jatras and religious ceremonies.

d) Craftspeople who make these instruments should get government support, and regular music competitions should be held to keep them in use.

e) A national museum of Nepali folk instruments should be set up to record and display them.

12. Why we sing a song?

a) It represents the culture, custom and tradition of a society.

b) It stands for the voice of the majority of the people of Nepal.

c) It is the identity of Nepal which helps us to be known in rest of the world.

d) It reflects our social and cultural values.

e) It helps to preserve our mother tongue.

13. Measures to preserve Folk songs

a. Sing and request others to sing from time to time.

b. Organize folk song competition during festivals, religious function and fairs.

c. Organize programs to honor and reward the folk singer.

d. Conduct the awareness programs among the local youth about the

importance of folk songs.

e. Record the songs and publicize it.

14. What rational do you find for the inclusion of the 10 heritages in the World Heritage Lists?

a) They have unique and rare features along with natural beauty.

b) They have historical and religious importance.

c) They possess geographical and historical importance.

d) They represent social norms and values in the field of culture, tradition etc.

15. Song, dance and music are interrelated. How does it become incomplete in absence of any one of them?

Ans. Song, dance and music are interrelated. Music should be played to sing. Similarly, song should be sung to dance. Such song should be accompanied by music. Dance can be performed only in music or song too. Song will be effective if it accompanied by the music. Music with song is better than music without song; hence, music and song are necessary for completion of dance. Similarly, music is required for the completion of song.

Moreover, music sounds better if it is filled up by song and featured by dance. Therefore, dance, music and song are interrelated.

16. What step should be taken to preserve folk dance?

Ans. Folk dances can be kept alive by the following measures:

a) Make young people aware of the value of classical and folk dances, and encourage them to learn and perform the dances that are disappearing.

b) Add classical and folk dances to school and college activities and courses.

c) Organise folk dance competitions regularly at local, provincial and national level.

d) Television, radio, FM and social media should give these dances regular space.

e) Open training centres where skilled dancers can teach the younger generation.

f) Honour senior dancers and support them so they can pass on their skills.

g) Give awards and financial support to folk dancers for their work.

17. Name the Panche Baja

Panche Baja is a group of five traditional instruments played together at weddings, festivals and other ceremonies in Nepal.

a) Jhyali (Jhyamta/Jhuma):

A pair of round bronze cymbals that are struck against each other to keep the rhythm.

b) Narsingha:

A long copper horn bent in a half-moon shape, played by blowing into it.

c) Sahanai:

A wind instrument with a wooden pipe and a metal bell at the end, played by blowing through a reed.

d) Damaha (Nagara):

A large drum made of a copper bowl covered with leather, beaten with a stick.

e) Tyamko:

A small drum, similar to the Damaha in shape, covered with leather and played with two small sticks.

18. Lesson we learn from biography of Helen Keller and Stephen Hawking.

Helen Keller was blind and deaf from her childhood but she was the first woman in the world with visual and auditory disability to graduate from a college. She wrote several famous books. Hawking suffered from a neurological disease and got completely paralysed except for his two fingers but he did his PhD in physics and added more to the Black hole theory. He is known as modern Einstein.

It proves that the disabled are differently able people. We should not ignore them. We need to treat them a little bit differently. We need to give them more love and care, support and encouragement and proper environment where their inner talent can bloom. The disabled are not a burden but can be a boon for the society, the nation and the world.

We need to learn from them that strong will power is what we need to succeed in life. If such disabled people can contribute to the world, we able people should be able to do more and contribute more to our nation and the world.