What Is gunyo cholo (gunyo choli)?
When a Nepali girl reaches the age of seven or eight (usually seven), she is given a "gunyo cholo" to wear. This ancient costume, which comprises a cholo (top/blouse) and a sari-like skirt, as well as lots of jewelry, is known as a gunyo cholo. The gunyo cholo symbolizes the girl's transition into womanhood.
Below, we will discuss all gunyo cholo ceremony, gunyo cholo dress, and everything you need to know about this special occasion in Nepali gunyo cholo culture.
Gunyo cholo ceremony meaning: What is gunyo cholo ceremony? Why is gunyo cholo celebrated?
The gunyo cholo tradition or gunyo cholo ceremony is very important in Nepal and is observed by Nepali girls regardless of where they are born or raised. It is also known as the 'coming-age-of-a-girl' ritual.
Parents (especially parents and grandparents) used to give their daughters a set of conventional garments (sari or Guniu-Cholo) and do some rituals before they reached puberty in the past.
By doing this, the girl is saved from having to endure a room where she can see no male members nor even a single ray of sunshine when she reaches her first menstruation cycle, which is a custom still widespread in rural communities in Nepal).
What is the typical gunyo cholo age?
There is no set age for girls to receive their gunyo cholo. However, it is typically given to girls when they reach the age of seven or eight (usually seven). The ceremony is typically completed before the onset of a girl's first menstrual cycle.
Gunyo cholo ritual or Gunyo cholo puja
- This coming-age-of-a-girl ritual is usually performed at home, in front of close family and friends.
- During the ceremony, the girl is first bathed in holy water. Then, she is dressed in her gunyo cholo and given a flower garland to wear around her neck.
- Tika, a mixture of vermilion powder, banana, and yogurt) is put on her forehead by her parents or grandparents and flowers are placed in her hair as a symbol of prosperity and good luck.
- The young girl then performs a small puja (worship) ceremony, after which she is blessed by the elders present.
- After the puja is over, the girl is free to enjoy the rest of her special day with her friends and family. She will often receive gifts such as clothes, jewelry, and money from her loved ones on this occasion.
- It is generally given on special days like holidays or Dashain and in accordance with the lunar calendar.
- The young lady is given a set of traditional clothes that include Guniu-Choli, fariya, and patuka, as well as other ornaments such as lachi and sir-bandi.
- After that, the rest of the family puts tika on her forehead and flowers in her hair. They give her blessings with gifts and money.
In this way the puja is completed, and the young lady enjoys the rest of the day with friends and family.
Things needed to perform gunyo cholo
Here is the list of items you need for the gunyo cholo ceremony:
- A gunyo cholo dress
- Jewelry
- A pair of shoes
- Makeup items
- Hair accessories
- Nail polish and nail art supplies
- A gunyo cholo invitation card
- A gunyo cholo cake
- Food and drinks
- Songs
- Gifts
- Balloons and streamers (optional)
- Gunyo cholo banner
- Tika - a mark made on the forehead with vermillion powder, turmeric, yogurt, and rice.
- Mala - a garland made of flowers.
- Chura - red and white bangles worn on the wrists.
- Jhumki - earrings.
- Kanthi - a necklace made of beads and gold.
- Pote - bracelets made of silver and coral.
- Rings - Gold or silver rings worn on the fingers.
What are Gunyo cholo ceremony wishes?
Are you wondering what to say on gunyo cholo? If you are looking for some nice things to say on this occasion, here are some gunyo cholo wishes, messages, and quotes that you can use:
- "Wishing you all the happiness in the world on this special day. Congratulations and best wishes for a bright future."
- "May this day mark the beginning of a beautiful journey for you. Wishing you all the best on your gunyo cholo."
- "Wishing you a lifetime of happiness and joy. Congratulations on your gunyo cholo."
How long does the gunyo cholo ceremony last?
The gunyo cholo ceremony usually lasts for about an hour or two.
What are the benefits of the gunyo cholo ceremony?
The gunyo cholo ceremony is believed to have many benefits for the young girl. Some of these benefits include:
- It helps the girl to transition into womanhood in a healthy and positive way.
- It teaches the girl about her culture and tradition.
- It instills a sense of pride and belonging in the girl.
- It helps the girl to feel comfortable and confident about her body.
- It gives the girl a sense of responsibility.
The traditional gunyo choli dress: What is the gunyo cholo dress? What does a gunyo cholo look like?
The gunyo cholo dress is a traditional Nepali dress worn by girls during the gunyo cholo ceremony. People are now more modern, and so are gunyo cholo Nepali dress. Currently, there are various gunyo cholo design to choose from, and various stores are selling modern gunyo cholo dress.
Typically The gunyo cholo costume (Nepali dress gunyo cholo) comprises:
- Cholo (a blouse)
- Sari (a skirt-like garment)
- A belt to hold the sari.
- Mala - a garland made of flowers.
- The dress is often decorated with jewelry and flowers.
Gunyo cholo jewelry
- Necklace or Choker
- Sirbandi - a forehead piece with a coral moon
- Pauju (Payal)
- Earring
- Bangles (Chura)
- Yarling - Lotus bud-shaped earrings,
- Mundri or Bullaki - nose piece,
- Kantha – necklace with golden beads and red tribal beads.
- Reji - a long silver coin necklace.
- Traditional rings
How to wear gunyo cholo?
- The gunyo cholo (sari) is worn over a red blouse (choli) and a petticoat (skirt).
- The sari is wrapped around the waist and secured in place with a belt.
- The choli is pulled over the head and fastened with the hooks.
- The mala is worn around the neck, and the Sirbandi is placed on the forehead.
- The bangles are worn on the wrists, and
- The earrings are worn on the ears.
- The pauju is worn around the ankles.
Gunyo cholo decoration
The gunyo cholo ceremony is usually decorated with flowers and lights. The girl is also decorated with jewelry, such as a necklace, earrings, bangles, and rings.
Gunyo cholo invitation card
An invitation card is not a must, but it is a nice way to invite friends and relatives to the gunyo cholo ceremony. The invitation card can be simple or elaborate, depending on your preference.
Gunyo cholo cake design
A gunyo cholo cake is a nice way to celebrate the occasion. The cake can be decorated with flowers, stars, or any other design you like.
The gunyo cholo feast usually consists of various traditional Nepali dishes. Some of the popular items on the menu include:
- Dal Bhat - rice and lentils
- Tarkari - vegetable curry
- Aalu Tama - potato and bamboo curry
- Momo - Nepali dumplings
- Chowmein - fried noodles
- Pizza
- Cakes and pastries
- Fruit juices and sodas
- Tea and coffee
Gunyo cholo songs
During the gunyo cholo ceremony, various traditional and modern songs are played.
gunyo cholo ceremony gift ideas
Here are some gunyo cholo gift ideas :
- A gunyo cholo dress
- Jewelry
- A watch
- A gunyo cholo cake
- Gift voucher
- Gift basket
The gunyo cholo ceremony is a very special event in a Nepali girl's life and one that she will always remember.
FAQs
What is the gunyo cholo puja?
The gunyo cholo puja is a small worship ceremony performed by the girl during the gunyo cholo ceremony. During the puja, the girl is blessed by the elders present.
What is the gunyo cholo ceremony?
The gunyo cholo ceremony is a special event in a Nepali girl's life, typically when she turns 7 or 8. It is a tradition that dates back centuries and is meant to symbolize the girl's transition into womanhood.
What does the gunyo cholo dress look like?
The gunyo cholo dress is a traditional Nepali dress worn by girls during the gunyo cholo ceremony. It consists of a blouse (choli), a skirt-like garment (sari), and numerous pieces of jewelry.
What are some common gunyo cholo gifts?
Some common gunyo cholo gifts include a gunyo cholo dress, jewelry, a watch, or a gift voucher.
What items do I need for the gunyo cholo ceremony?
Some of the items you'll need for the gunyo cholo ceremony include a gunyo cholo dress, jewelry, makeup, and a gunyo cholo cake.
How can I decorate for the gunyo cholo ceremony?
There are many different ways to decorate for a gunyo cholo ceremony. You can find some ideas here.
What is the gunyo cholo feast?
The gunyo cholo feast is a meal typically served during the gunyo cholo ceremony. It usually consists of traditional Nepali dishes, such as dal bhat (rice and lentils), tarkari (vegetable curry), alu tama (potato and bamboo curry), momo (Nepali dumplings), and sel roti (Nepali rice bread).
What is the gunyo cholo mala?
The gunyo cholo mala is a garland made of flowers.
What are gunyo cholo chura (Bangles)?
Gunyo cholo chura is red or colorful bangles worn on the wrists.
What are gunyo cholo jhumki?
Gunyo cholo jhumki are earrings traditionally worn by Nepali women on special occasions.
What is the gunyo cholo kanthi?
The gunyo cholo kanthi is a necklace made of beads and gold.
What rings are worn during the gunyo cholo ceremony?
Gold or silver rings are traditionally worn on the fingers during the gunyo cholo ceremony.
What is the gunyo cholo bindi?
The gunyo cholo bindi is a small, red dot worn on the forehead. Nepali women traditionally wear it on special occasions.
Why is the gunyo cholo ceremony important?
The gunyo cholo ceremony is an important tradition in Nepali culture. It is a time for family and friends to come together to celebrate a young girl's transition into womanhood. It is also an opportunity for the girl to learn about her own culture and heritage.
What are some common gunyo cholo traditions?
Some common gunyo cholo traditions include the gunyo cholo dress, jewelry, puja, feast, tika, mala, chura, jhumki, kanthi, pote, rings, and bindi.
When is the gunyo cholo ceremony held?
The gunyo cholo ceremony is typically held when a girl turns 7 or 8 years old.
How long does the gunyo cholo ceremony last?
The gunyo cholo ceremony usually lasts for about 2 hours.
Who attends the gunyo cholo ceremony?
The gunyo cholo ceremony is typically attended by the girl's family and friends.
What is the gunyo cholo ceremony like?
The gunyo cholo ceremony is a time for family and friends to come together to celebrate a young girl's transition into womanhood. It is also an opportunity for the girl to learn about her own culture and heritage. During the ceremony, the girl is typically dressed in a gunyo cholo dress and jewelry. She is also given a small puja or worship ceremony. A feast is usually served afterward, which typically consists of traditional Nepali dishes.
What is the gunyo cholo tika?
The gunyo cholo tika is a mark made on the forehead with vermillion powder, turmeric, yogurt, and rice. Nepali women traditionally wear it on special occasions.
