Rituals shape community sentiments. They bind people through customs, shared norms, and values. Nepal is a country of rituals. And ‘shagun’ is a unique cultural practice, a ritual that’s quite common in South Asia. It’s basically offering food to a person for good luck. It’s an auspicious ritual to invite good times and good health. It’s usually given on different occasions such as during travels, weddings, birthdays, achievements, celebrations, and festivals. In Eastern culture, harmony in our surroundings through a balance of the five elements—earth, fire, air, water, and space—is considered essential for human safety and prosperity. ‘Shagun’ is given to bring out balance between these elements. We consider it integral for manifesting success, happiness, and safety. There are items symbolizing these five elements in different ways. These items aren’t bought for a special purpose; they are food items and beverages found in any household. This ritual of giving ‘shagun’ is most prominent in the Newar culture of Nepal. But the practice of giving and receiving ‘shagun’ isn’t exclusive to the Newar community. Most castes and communities have a more or less similar version of the practice.

‘Shagun liyera matra janu’ is a popular line in Nepal. It roughly translates to ‘have some ‘shagun’ before you leave.’ I still recall memories of this everyday ritual when I had to leave home to travel. Traveling was an integral part of my job, and so was receiving ‘shagun’ before I left.  I stood close to the doorway, receiving ‘tika’ on my forehead, waiting for my mother to give me a ‘shagun’.

For me, anything that my mum, dad, and sister give me before I leave is ‘shagun’. They are items commonly found at home like slices of banana, sweet yogurt, fruit, etc. What is given as ‘shagun’ depends on what we have available at home or whatever seasonal fruits we find in the garden or local market. In Brahmin and Chhetri cultures, these items are of the vegetarian variety like fruits, sweets, and milk products. For the Newar community, items for ‘shagun’ include egg, fish, alcohol, etc. These ‘non-vegetarian’ items symbolize water and fire. These essential elements are present as a part of this ritual, creating balance and harmony in chaos—or so we believe. The practice of offering ‘shagun’ intrigues some and is a way of life for others. It’s similar to an idea or a feeling that involves the humble idea of praying for an individual’s safety and prosperity. It’s a nod to our ancient civilization and heritage. It’s a blend of the old with the new. With time, there is an added element of pomp to the ritual, but the aim or rationale behind the idea remains the same. I believe that’s why it still holds a place in our culture. It’s an exchange of a high level of energy between the giver and receiver. Through this practice, a giver feels he will be safe, and the receiver feels energized. There is a mutual exchange of goodwill, and this energy is supposed to protect the receiver from harm. Over the years, this simple practice of offering whatever is available at home has metamorphosed to something more than just wishing someone good luck. It has turned into a festive occasion. People offer ‘shagun’ in the presence of friends, family, and relatives. Everyone is a part of it. As people have become richer and better able to afford more goods, a simple celebration has turned into a show of pomp and prosperity. Whatever it may be, ‘shagun’ is a practice that is a part of our heritage and our culture. The basic idea is praying for an individual’s safety and prosperity. This adds value to people’s lives and binds people and communities together for a better society. This core idea of providing protection through food will remain woven into our social tapestry for millennia to come. I believe that with time some of our cultures and practices might fade away (as is the case with many cultures and rituals throughout the world) but our practices related to food will prevail. The author is a London-based R&D chef