During the colder seasons, it is very easy to catch frogs. Near a freezing cold pond where there are numerous frogs getting ready for hibernation, all you have to do is start warming up some water in a good sized pot on a portable propane stove. When the water is lukewarm, frogs will start jumping in in search of warmth. As they enjoy the warm water, you simply have to raise the temperature of the water slowly. It is quite entertaining to watch as the frogs begin to stretch out their legs in comfort as the water becomes warmer and warmer. Soon warm becomes hot but the frogs do not notice due to the gradual increase in water temperature. Only when the water starts to become boiling hot frogs become alarmed and squirm to get out; however, their prolonged stay in the hot water has loosened their leg muscles to the point of dysfunction. No matter how hard they try, all they can do is struggle and accept their handicap.

In my observation the people of Nepal are like these amphibians. They seemed to have been culturally taught to suppress their experiences, emotions and opinions towards the sufferings of the war period and accept it as a norm to hide the scars. Denial (in a sense that you do not freely express what you are feeling inside) can be comfortable at first. I completely understand that it is not easy to stir up painful memories, provoking the scabs from war to bleed again. Suppression also may seem like a measurement to one’s ability to “suck-it-up,” and may be laudable to a certain extent. But once this mentality slowly became ingrained, it seems as if these people have become more and more comfortable and accepted it as a social norm – a cultural identity.

Starting to feel the rising temperatures, some are trying to speak out and seek justice; yet, it is so difficult to break the status quo. Their voice seems to have been quieted to the point of dysfunction. Now, as researchers we try to ask questions in order to gain a fuller understanding. But I am finding research more and more difficult because of their unwillingness(?) to share.

This blog post is simply my observation of the Nepalese people. I have talked to a few Nepalese people about this mental-dynamic and they seemed to agree that yes, the people of Nepal seem to culturally suppress their painful stories. Nevertheless, one thing is certain: the people are not speaking up.