Newa Bhwey(Lapti Bhwey or Suku Bhwey)

Newa Bhwey is a feast of Nepalese people, originated from the Newari ethnic group. Mostly, Newars are the indigenous people of Kathmandu valley. Newars are rich in their culture, customs, cuisines and it has their own language(Nepal Bhasa). Newari cuisines are very popular and are served throughout the world.

What is Newari Bhwey? 

Newa Bhwey is Newari Feast, which is not an ordinary one but extra-ordinary.  Newa Bhwey is conducted during special occasions and festivals in the Newar community. It is also known as Lapti Bhwey mostly organized to celebrate festivals. Since the food is served on Lapti(leaf plate) it is called Lapti Bhwey. Guests seat cross-legged in a line on a Suku(straw carpet) which is placed on the floor and over a dozen of delicacies are presented. The eldest is served first so the line is placed in a hierarchical order. 

One is made seated comfortably on a Suku is because the Bhwey has dozen of delicacies to offer. After it is started, one individual cannot finish and get up until and unless everyone finishes.

How delicacies are served on Newa Bhwey?

Females who serve the cuisines are dressed on Haku Patasi(Newari dress). It starts by first serving two handfuls of baji/chiura(beaten rice) and other dishes are placed next to baji and followed.

After that, all the green veggies are served which consists of cauliflower, spinach, (peanuts salad, beans salad, aalo-sadeko, which is mixed with ginger-garlic paste, and homemade spices.)

Choyela is a meat salad which can be of mutton, chicken. But in Newa bhwey, buffalo and duck meat are preferred. Choyela is prepared with boiled or barbequed meat which is marinated with spices, ginger garlic paste, and mustard oil. Bhuttan is a fried item that can be of mutton pieces is optional.

Relishes like Mula/Kakro ko achar( radish/ cucumber relish), aalo ko achar( potato relish), and other similar items are served, adding fried ginger and garlic. A spoonful of sadeko(salad) or fried Bhatmaas(soya beans) is served. 

The gravy of buffalo meat is served over chiura which softens the baji and makes it easier to swallow. In addition to watery items, aalo-taama(bamboo shoots with potato and soya beans) is also served in bota(leaf bowl).

There are two types of drinks served on Newa Bhwey. The first one is Aila( colorless homemade liquor) The other one is Thon( white beer made of fermented rice).

Both the drinks are served or either of them, one is served. There is a specific jar called Anti and certain ways of serving the drink. The drink is dropped from the bottom and gradually lifts the jar up to the waistline without dropping out the Salincha. The drink is served in Salincha(an earthen bowl of metal or mud).

When the guests are done with the above delicacies, pau-kwaa, a sour soup, made up of Lapsi(hog plum) is served in the used bota of aloo-tama. This will help to digest the food.

In the case of deserts, yogurt(Dahi) or frozen yogurt is served. Yogurt is also not the ordinary one but Ju-Ju-Dhau( King of Yogurts) which is famous and found at Bhaktapur. Finally, last but not least a mixture of vegetables and seasonal fruits is served with a pinch of salt. Now, the bhwey officially ends but still you are not allowed to leave unless the eldest finishes their meal.