Subedi, S.R.; Shrestha, S. A Case of the Guthi System in Nepal: The Backbone of the Conservation and Management of the Cultural Heritage. Conservation2024, 4, 216-235.
Subedi, S.R.; Shrestha, S. A Case of the Guthi System in Nepal: The Backbone of the Conservation and Management of the Cultural Heritage. Conservation 2024, 4, 216-235.
Subedi, S.R.; Shrestha, S. A Case of the Guthi System in Nepal: The Backbone of the Conservation and Management of the Cultural Heritage. Conservation2024, 4, 216-235.
Subedi, S.R.; Shrestha, S. A Case of the Guthi System in Nepal: The Backbone of the Conservation and Management of the Cultural Heritage. Conservation 2024, 4, 216-235.
Abstract
The guthi, an ancient institution deeply embedded in Nepal's social, cultural, and economic fabric, has long overseen the maintenance of temples, shrines, festivals, and heritage sites since the Lichchhavi era (400-750). Since 1960, however, this system has been challenged by government land reforms, which has impacted its influence on sustainable heritage conservation. Nevertheless, there's compelling evidence that land nationalization and the guthi's declining authority have harmed local heritage conservation. Nevertheless, the guthi system has endured, serving as an important informal means of heritage conservation and highlighting the adaptability of traditional institutions. These community-based trusts, originally established for social and religious purposes, have played a pivotal role in preserving cultural practices, monuments, and temples for future generations. This article aims to demonstrate the central role of the guthi as the cornerstone of Nepal's efforts to conserve and manage both tangible and intangible cultural treasures. Using observational techniques, case studies, and a qualitative approach, it explores the historical evolution of heritage conservation through the lens of the guthi, taking into account subjective, valued, and constructed realities. The paper concludes by urging policymakers to recognize the significant contribution of indigenous systems such as the guthi in achieving sustainable heritage conservation. Embracing such traditional strategies can mitigate multifaceted problems and effectively preserve Nepal's cultural heritage through the guthi.
Keywords
Backbone; Conservation and Management; Cultural heritage; Guthi system
Subject
Social Sciences, Other
Copyright:
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
