PEOPLE

Nepal has one of the most ethnically diverse populations of the world. Though a tiny kingdom there are more than 150 ethnic groups of people and over 40 different languages spoken. The population is divided into three zones: the Himalayas, the Midlands and the Terai (the plains). The languages are divided between those that are Sanskrit based and those that are Tibeto-Burman in origin. The Nepalese people can be divided into two general groups according to their features and culture:  people of Mongoloid stock and others of Indo-Aryan origin.

HIMALAYAS

Sherpas are known the world over for their mountaineering feats and are probably the best-known ethnic group among the Nepalese. With their roots in Tibet, they arrived in Nepal around 500 years ago. They live mostly in the high Himalayan regions and are remarkably adapted to the thin air. With sharp Mongoloid features they are predominantly Buddhist and are gentle, friendly, fun loving and religious people. They have found much employment as porters and climbing sherpas. Today many are world famous as mountaineers like the late Tenzing Norgay and late Babu Chhiri Sherpa while others have become wealthy businessmen making Kathmandu their base. They have their own Sherpa language (Tibeto-Burman).

Tamangs –This Tibeto-Burmese group is the largest ethnic group in Nepal. They occupy a large part of Nepal and can be found in most parts of the country. Their population is largest between Sindhupalchok and Makwanpur. They have strong Mongoloid features and unlike others of this group can be quite tall and stocky. They have slanted eyes with the typical mongoloid fold. Although predominantly farmers and labourers, they also work as craftsmen and many of the beautiful thangkas found in the valley are made by their skillful hands.  They are mostly Buddhists and have their own gompas where the monks conduct prayers and rituals. The monk or Lama presides over most of the religious ceremonies as well as funerals when they read from sacred scriptures and play traditional musical instruments. They speak their own Tamang language, which is Tibeto-Burman.

Thakalis are a minority group whose population is quite small and are natives of the Thak Khola area in the Annapurna region. They are mostly farmers but make shrewd businessmen. Many of them have become hoteliers and are quite successful. The trek routes along Pokhara and Jomsom through the Kali Gandaki valley are known for Thakali lodges and their good hospitality. Thakali people have strong mongoloid features with circular faces and oblique eyes. They are usually of medium built with sturdy bodies and speak a Tibeto-Burman language.

MIDLANDS

Newars -- Newars occupy a special place in the history of Nepal, as they are the indigenous people of the Kathmandu Valley.  Kathmandu valley was the original Nepal and most of the notable art and architecture is found here; it is also the cultural capital of the country. The Newars are divided into two religious groups according to their caste eg. A Shakya or a Bajracharya is always a Buddhist while Shresthas and Pradhans are Hindus. But in Nepal Hinduism and Buddhism have blended so well over the centuries that sometimes it is impossible to separate the two. Newari art flourished in the 18^th century under the aegis of the Malla rulers. The beautiful temples, squares and other monuments stand testimony to their rich culture. Most of the festivals that are celebrated on the streets of Kathmandu are Newari including the chariot festivals. The Newars it is believed are descended from Mongoloid ancesters.

Rais and Limbus are together known as the Kiratis, whose ancestors ruled Kathmandu Valley for over 600 years from the 7^th century B.C. The Kiratis at one time reigned over a large part of Nepal including the terai. They are a Tibeto-Burmese people who practice a shamanistic religion but many have become Hindus since the invasion of Pritvinarayan Shah. Shamans play an important role in their traditional rituals and rites of passage ceremonies. Large numbers of Rais and Limbus enlist in the British Gurkhas and the Indian forces much as their forefathers did centuries ago. But those who remain in their homeland are predominantly farmers.  The Kiratis dominate a large part of eastern Nepal and have the sharpest Mongoloid features among all the ethnic groups. Each sub-caste has its own dialect of the Rai language. The Limbus speak their own Limbu language which was originally called Yakthumba. Both these languages are Tibeto-Burman in origin.

Magars form a large part of the Nepalese population and are of Tibeto-Burmese origin and have Mongoloid features. A large part of Prithvinarayan Shah’s fighting forces consisted of Magars and many are today found serving in the British Gurkhas as well as in the regular Indian army. Having had close contact with Hindu Indo-Aryans, they are heavily Hindu influenced.  The Magars are farmers besides being renowned soldiers. They grow a large variety of crops including rice, wheat, barley, millet, etc. depending on their location. A large number of Magars hail from Gorkha and the Pokhara-Gandaki valley but they are also found as far up as Dolpo where they resemble Tibetans. In the upper regions they are both farmers as well as traders. There are four different and distinct language groups within the Magar community.

Gurungs are comparable to Magars in many ways and one can easily mistake one for the other.  They are of Tibeto-Burmese stock and are also losing their practice of shamanism to Hindu and Buddhist influences. The Gurungs are mostly farmers but also practice animal husbandry keeping sheep. Along with Rais, Limbus and Magars, the Gurungs also have a tradition of seeking employment in the armed forces in India and the British army. They have their own Gurung language.

Bahuns or Brahmins are the priestly caste and thus Hindu priests are always from this caste. They originate from the Khas kingdoms that existed before unification and play an important role in politics. Their language, Khas Kura, now known as Nepali, is the national language of Nepal.  Outside the valley, they are mostly farmers. All Bahuns are Hindu and many are pure vegetarians refraining even from eating eggs. A true Bahun does not drink.  They traditionally wear the sacred thread called janai. Nepali politics and government service are dominated by Bahuns.

Chhetris whose name comes from the Sanskrit word Kshatriya, traditionally the warrior- class, form one of the largest caste groups among the Hindus. They also have a large representation in the army and government administration. Chhetris are said to be descendants of Brahmins who married women of other caste groups, thus loosing their Brahmin status. The Brahmins occupy the top slot in the Hindu caste system followed by Chhetris who also wear the janai. Their mother tougue is also Nepali, the national language.

TERAI

The earliest settlers of the terai were the Tharus and owing to their long exposure to the perils of malaria, they have built up a partial resistance to the disease. Some of the other settlers are the Rajbanshi, Danwar, Majhi and a few nomadic people like the Raji. The terai population consists of both Indo-Aryan as well as Tibeto-Burman origin. Besides, there is also a large Muslim community to be found in the terai regions.

Tharus, the original inhabitants of the Terai – form one of the largest ethnic groups in Nepal. They have Mongoloid features mixed with an Aryan appearance, but their origin is yet to be determined although many Tharus claim they were originally Rajputs who migrated north to escape persecution at the hands of the Muslim conquerors. Their religion is animist with strong Hindu influences. One of their biggest festivals is the ‘Maghi’, which coincides with the Maghe Sangrati festival of the Hindus. Tharus have a rich culture and the traditional costumes they wear during festivals are spectacular; sparkling jewelry and coin-studded clothing are unique in Nepal. Their folk songs and stick dances are great tourist attractions. Their occupation is farming, fishing and animal husbandry.

Danwars are people of the terai who resemble Mongoloid hill tribes but are dark skinned and do not speak a Tibeto-Burman language. The name Danwar comes from the word ‘dun’.  They were originally called Dunwar meaning ‘people living among the Duns’. But later corruption changed the name to Danwar.They trace their ancestry to Thakur kings. They have three major septs into which they are divided. Their own Indo-Aryan language is less frequently used today with a majority speaking Nepali.  They are Hindus and sacrifice goats during rituals. They consume locally brewed alcoholic drinks like jar and raksi and are known for their gaiety; singing and dancing during their festivals. They also celebrate Dasain like most Nepalese people. Their major occupation is farming but also fish, weave cloth and work as labourers while the more stable families keep livestock.

Raute people are said to be the last remaining truly nomadic people in Nepal. The region they traverse in their wanderings spreads from the Siwalik hills in southern Nepal to the Himalayan hills in the north. They are found mostly in the forested areas of Jajarkot and Dang regions and roam the jungles of Salyan. There is a belief that the Raute people are descended from a Thakuri man. It is also assumed that the name comes from Raut or Rawat of Kumaon where possibly they originated. Raute people are generally short and stocky. They are dark skinned with Australoid-like features. They speak a Tibeto-Burman language called Khamchi but generally tend to converse in Nepali. They construct temporary shelters in forest clearings, which they either leave behind undisturbed or burn to the ground before moving on. They seek the warmer regions of the terai in the winter and move to higher colder parts during the summer months.