Due to its close association with Indian culture, Nepal too has various musician castes. The distinction between caste and janajati thus corresponds more or less to the Indian distinction between caste and tribe -with the important proviso that in Nepal the janajatis comprise a much larger percentage of the population (the exact percentage is debated: some claim they are as much as 40 per cent or more of the overall population). People belonging to this caste are traditionally tailors and musicians. This paper. When I first typed the words "Damai", I found myself  mildly ashamed to write it. Caste based stratification in Nepal source:www.slideshare.net. I was in class 4 maybe 5, when a close friend of mine starting taunting me about my caste and this when I was first made aware of the fact that my caste is something that I should be ashamed of like a deformation that I can never get rid of and must always hide. [1] Damai are categorized under "Hill Dalit" among the 9 broad social groups, along with Kami, Badi, Sarki and Gaine by the Government of Nepal.[1]. Nepal is rich in diversity, be it religious, cultural, linguistic or ethnic. Gurung, Harka (2005) Social Exclusion and Maoist Insurgency. ... which paradoxically is a result of the process of modernity in Nepal, such as caste and ethnic identities(19th century Nepal). A migrant community, the Darjee are sometimes known as Damai. Women only play music in certain circumstances such as for all-female wedding parties. Historically, systemic caste-based discrimination in Nepal originated around the time of the promulgation of the Muluki Ain (National or Civil Code), which was in effect from 1854 to 1963 and was a direct legacy of the medieval code. Thus, the tribal designation of Khas is given only in few context to Kami, Damai and Sarki due to traditional status. Damai are a caste who are tailors and musicians. It might be too late to share my marriage story here now but Pramila ji … Paper presented at National Dialogue Conference at ILO Convention 169 on Indigenous and Tribal peoples, Kathmandu, 19–20 January 2005. They are considered to be untouchables. As a result of this idea of modernity, the people of Darjeeling denounce caste on the face,at least most of them do, as a system which is essentially bad, specially by western standards. My ancestors did not kill anyone or pillage any towns! Damai are mostly involved in panchai baja, a type of wedding band. Untouchability and Caste based discrimination Though I ask for so little the society will deny me even this. While the caste system and legal code were publicly outlawed by the 1990 constitution, caste continues to play a prominent role in many Nepalis’ private lives. Caste endogamy, however, which has been one of the main methods of maintaining status in India, is not strictly observed in Nepal by either the Newars or the Khasas. At the age of 21, she married Prem Bhatta, from the Brahmin caste Their inter - caste marriage created although higher caste men are allowed to have sex with Badi prostitutes. My ancestors stitched clothes, so what?" To be ashamed of ones own identity is like being ashamed of ones own shadow, you have to be afraid at every turn of life. Last edited on 14 September 2020, at 02:43, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Damai&oldid=978301729, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 14 September 2020, at 02:43. The tribal designation of Khas is given in only a few contexts to Viswakarma. Caste, Ethnicity and Inequality in Nepal But, in most of the country there are so many complex and crosscutting ethnic allegiances which make a Sri Lankan-type polarisation unlikely. It is very difficult to pin point where it is  but it is always there. All he did was stitch clothes and if it wasn't for his talents all the rest of the so called upper castes would go around naked.". Damai/Dholi (Nepali: दमाइँ) is an occupational caste found among Khas people. It is only a kind of profession irrespective of any caste or ethnicity. D. Dahal. [2] People belonging to this caste are traditionally tailors[2] and musicians. The effective attempt of caste system was made by Jayasthiti Malla. A short summary of … caste in Nepal respectively. Caste specially in Darjeeling and surrounding regions have taken a slightly different turn. The sample is collected from over 50,000 population size of various caste and ethnicities of Nepal. My ancestor did not trick others by telling them that unless he/she offers a certain amount of money with gifts the Gods will not bless his/her family. or. Damai is coined from musical instrument Damaha while Dholi is coined from the instrument Dhol. Caste also tends to be endogamous and the boundaries and differences in rank between castes are expressed and maintained by restrictions on commensal relations and intermarriage. Damai is coined from musical instrument Damaha while Dholi is coined from the instrument Dhol. In my 2nd year of M.Phil at Jawaharlal Nehru University, I attended a seminar on "caste violence and caste mobilization in Nepal" where the speaker(who was from my caste) spoke about the fact that the first battle for dignity is fought against oneself, "after all" he said " what should I be ashamed of, I m not a thief  a murderer, a rapist! It is extremely prevalent in Nepal. (Though some are exceptional). On August 30, a group of nine masked men attacked the family of Sete Damai at midnight. It is connected to the Hindu philosophy and is found in the Hindu community mostly in Nepal and some parts of India. I mean does the sun shed more light and warmth on an upper caste than on me, does the cool breeze bring more relief to an upper caste than on me, does upper caste not get wet in the rain like the way I do, isn't his/her taste of sweet and bitter the same as mine, doesn't he/she bleed the way I do, does he/she not smile when he/she is happy and frown when he/she is sad, will he live longer just because he/she is an upper caste. My identity is constructed by my actions, good or bad, not by my surname and name of my caste. Caste system in Nepal Last updated February 08, 2021. Damai/Dholi (Nepali: दमाइँ) is an occupational caste found among Khas people. หน้าหลัก; ข้อมูลทั่วไป . If the society will keep denying me my right should i then not snatch it from them! They are considered to be untouchables. It was historically a Khas occupational caste of blacksmiths. The 1854 Nepalese Muluki Ain (Legal Code) placed it in the lowest category. Marriage in Nepal: – Marriage is one of the biggest and the happiest moment of life that everybody should go through. For, it is not constructing what others think of me but  fashioning what I think of myself,  wherein lies the brilliance of the caste system. The Nepalese caste system, like the Indian caste system, is highly complex and continues the traditional system of social stratification of Nepal.The caste system defines social classes by a number of hierarchical endogamous groups often termed as Jāt.This custom is found in both the Hindu and Buddhist communities of Nepal. Dalit community occupies 13% of total population (Although Dalit activist claim to be over 20% ) and comprises 21 caste; such as Badi, Damai, Gaine, Kami, Sarki, Bantar, Chamar, Dhobi(Hindu), Dom, Dusadh, Halkaihiya, Kakaihiya, Khatbe, Khatik, Kori, Tatma, Mushar, Pattharkatta, Pasi and Sarvanga. The people in Darjeeling mimic modernity, which is to say that the people think they are modern just because they speak a bit in English and wear western clothes( since modernity is synonymous with westernization for people of Darjeeling) , but cling on to age old prejudices, which paradoxically is a result of the process of modernity in Nepal, such as caste and ethnic identities(19th century Nepal). What God will tell you to discriminate on the basis of birth? D. Dahal. Download with Google Download with Facebook. When a man and a woman want to take their relationship to the next level where they want to share everything between them, they make it official through marriage. 16 years ago when Pramila ji managed to find my beautiful wife that I exactly wanted. The concept of caste entered Nepal at the beginning of Lichhavi era. Maybe not, actually definitely not! the importance and symbolism of caste for Newars is as much important as it was 500 years ago. Yogendra B Gurung. * Ask God to anoint the Gospel as it goes forth via radio in their area. Since then we are living happily ever and we have two kids now. Yogendra B Gurung. Ms Damai says that she doesn’t have any options besides dying if faced with anything worse than her present situation. ......Jahaan haaq nah mila wahaan loot Sahi. On March 3, over 50 members of the Kami, Damai and Sarki castes from Nepal and India came together in Siliguri, a trade town in sub-Himalayan … Ever since,whenever someone asked me about my caste, I have always had to think twice before answering, sometimes answering with silence or just whispering "Damai". In Hindu society caste rank is hereditary and link to the occupations persuade. Contents. If he/she is the same in the above mentioned cases than how is anyone higher or lower. Marriage in Nepal – Nepali Marriage Rituals, Customs and System. between the various status frameworks found in the community, with of the salient features of the life circumstances for different caste at Damai, tailor caste of nepal, playing music on celebration of jania purnima festival humla, north-west nepal Kami was categorized by its members' profession. That continued for hundreds of years. But then this is how "society" has fashioned my thinking. Nepalgunj, Nepal June 26, 2004 It is a story of 2061 B.S. * Ask God to grant wisdom and favor to missions agencies that are focusing on the Mech. Province 2 of Nepal has the highest multidimensional poverty index out of its seven provinces. He introduced caste principles, according to Manusmriti's Hindu Code, into the Newari culture prescribing professional or occupational pursuit through his book ‘Manav Nyaya Shastra’. 2002. I see it in the frowning facing when I tell them I am a Damai. 3 Caste-based Discrimination in Nepal Krishna B. Bhattachan, Tej B. Sunar and Yasso Kanti Bhattachan(Gauchan) many terms to refer to Dalits. First introduced in the time of the Licchavis, the Newar caste system assumed its present shape during the medieval Malla period. The 1854 Nepalese Muluki Ain (Legal Code) categorized Damai as "Lower cast” category. What is there to be ashamed about that? They are non-vegetarian, and rice is their staple cereal. The Nepalese caste system was the traditional system of social stratification of Nepal.The Nepalese caste system broadly borrows the classical Hindu Chaturvarnashram model consisting of four broad social classes or varna: Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya, Sudra.. Dharma Swarnakar. The Newar caste structure resembles … Create a free account to download. Later Nepal abolished its grading system. It would be an exaggeration to say that the speaker changed my entire mindset however he did make me realize that the first battle that I must fight against is my own mindset, I must convince myself that I have nothing to be ashamed about, pity is not for me but for those who discriminate against me. It is not to say that I am completely oblivious to caste discrimination,  of course it makes me angry, bitter and sad. Traditional caste system; Caste-origin Hill Parbatiya Hindu groups/Khas Hence now caste based discrimination has become more subtle than open. I see it in the private conversations that people have where they laugh at the very mention of the words Kami, Damai and Sarki. An exhibition called Dalit: A Quest for Dignity has opened in Nepal, featuring powerful photos and testimonies that document the experiences of the Nepali Dalits, who are considered the country's lowest caste. [2], According to 2011 Nepal census, Damai or Dholi make up 1.8% of Nepal's population (or 472,862 peoples). Caste discrimination in Nepal is costing Dalits their lives, even nine years after the enactment of the Caste-Based Discrimination and Untouchability ... Sete Damai, age 50, Dailekh August 31, 2011. The 1854 Nepalese Muluki Ain (Legal Code) categorized Damai as "Lower cast” category. Nepal Government defines Dalits as :- "Castes and communities which are suffering racial discrimination and considered untouchable according to 'Hindu caste system' and 'Muluki Ain 1910 B.S.' Dharma Swarnakar. Viswakarma (Nepali: विश्वकर्मा) is an Indo-Aryan Nepali speaking group. * Scripture Prayers for the Mech in Nepal. All I ask is to be treated not as higher or lower, but as an equal. Nara counts the pulls on the chain. But unlike the case of dominant Parbatiya (Bahun, Chhetri, Damai, Sarki, etc.) Dalits, previously known as "untouchables," face discrimination in their social and working lives. Newars are divided internally into distinct cult… Darjee is tailor master. The Nepalese caste system the traditional system of social stratification of Nepal.The caste system defines social classes by a number of hierarchical endogamous groups often termed as Jāt.This custom was previously only prevalent in the societies of the Khas, Newār, Madhesi.. I see it in the open opposition to marriages with people of the a fore mentioned castes, I see it when people talk of "Zat Januanu"( translation- showing behavior typical of a particular caste) whenever a member of  so called lower castes indulge in any anti social activities, as though good behavior is the monopoly of the so called upper castes. Then is a system that tells you to discriminate on the basis of birth, a good system? b='unclebill' in their own advertisements to pawn off lesser-quality khukuris on unsuspecting consumers! A prolonged and unsystematic lockdown hits hardest the lives of Madhesi Dalits with Disabilities in Nepal . [3] Thus, the tribal designation of Khas is given only in few context to Kami, Damai and Sarki due to traditional status. Situational Analysis of Dalits in Nepal. in Nepal 2.1 Caste/Ethnic Stratification in Nepal This section of the analysis is drawn from Chapter 3, pages 1-5 of the full Gender and Social Exclusion Assessment Report (World Bank/DFID, 2005). (old penal code of Nepal) and who are backward from mainstream on social, economic, political, educational and religious terms." Download Full PDF Package. The traditional occupation of the Darjee is tailoring. The Darjee women play a significant role in their economy by plucking tea-leaves in tea gardens for wages. Persia Badi People of Nepal Badi caste a scheduled caste found in Uttar Pradesh Chimene Badi born 1982 French singer Badi surname in Gujarat States to women of the Badi caste at that point in time. * Pray that the Lord will set the Mech free from fear of their gods. The case of Newār is exceptional. Brushing academics aside and getting down to the basics, what is the logic behind the caste system? In old days, damai ( not domai), a minority and indigenous caste of Nepal were in this profession . This group not only presents the complicated social structure among all groups in Nepal, truly reflecting the model of four Hindu varna categories but is also clearly divided into two distinct religious groups: the Hindu and the Buddhist. In the 2001 Census around 81 percent of ... Badi, Damai, Gaine, Kadara, Kami, Sarki (Parbatiya) Hill Hinduism *Note- Damai is a caste in the Nepali community, who were traditionally tailors and musicians. Caste system refers to the stratification of human on the basis of religious and cultural beliefs. Again, comparative population of a certain ethnicity to the country’s total population is taken into account. *Note- Damai is a caste in the Nepali community, who were traditionally tailors and musicians. They have taught me to be ashamed of my own identity and thereby creating the absolute justification for calling me an "untouchable". The Newar caste system is the system by which Newars, the historical inhabitants of Kathmandu Valley, are divided into groups on the basis of Vedic varna model and divided according to their hereditary occupations. He further explained "All that means is that he was a talented man who made a living through honest means. However no one is really willing to let go of the power that caste system gives a particular section of the community over those below them in the hierarchy. I wonder if I was writing, that i m proud to be a Rajput or a Chettri or a Tamang, Sherpa, Tiwari, Jat etc, would I still have these slight hesitations?