Regions with significant populations | |
---|---|
![]() | 1,470,010 (5.04% of Nepal's population) (2021) [1] |
Languages | |
Nepali language (Khas kura) | |
Religion | |
Hinduism 96.35% (2011), Christianity (3.39%) (2011) [2] | |
Related ethnic groups | |
Khas people, Darjee, Badi, Sarki, Gandarbha/Gaine |
Kami is an Indo-Aryan Nepali speaking group that primarily worked as metalsmiths. [3] Later Nepal abolished its grading system. [4] The tribal designation of Khas is given in some contexts. the Government of Nepal legally abolished the caste-system and criminalized any caste-based discrimination, including "untouchability" (the ostracism of a specific caste) - in the year 1963 A.D. [5] With Nepal's step towards freedom and equality, Nepal, previously ruled by a Hindu monarchy was a Hindu nation which has now become a secular state, [6] and on 28 May 2008, it was declared a republic, [7] ending it as the Hindu Kingdom. [8] In spite of being the important occupational caste and ethnic group whose metal craving arts are globally recognized but still struggling to be recognized as it is considered as the serving occupation. The most people of this caste group are in absolute poverty to raise the voice and educate themselves to be in a good position to find the history. So they are compelled to face the inhuman discrimination of society. Even though it is illegal to discriminate people based on their caste, these people are widely discriminated in Nepal. A large portion of people still discriminate Kami and other being suppressed castes. This problem is faced on rural areas as well in cities when it comes to marriage and building relation. Although it is not absolute truth as problems related to caste based discrimination are slowly coming to improvisation. The level in educated youth is not as same as before (case scenario of few decades ago) as many educated and thoughtful youth are fully aware that these problems are rooted not only in tradition and culture, but also religion. Caste based discrimination and violence are a grim reality of Nepali society with numerous people losing their lives due to racially motivated mobs. [9] Both the Government and many other INGO are working hand-in-hand in order to uproot the problem by targeting grassroot issues such as education, awareness and employment. [10]
In the 21st century, the economic status of this group rapidly increased. They live in hilly or mountainous districts of Nepal and in the Indian areas of Assam, Sikkim and Darjeeling District.[ citation needed ]
The 2011 Nepal census classifies the Kami within the broader social group of Hill Dalit. [11] At the time of the Nepal census of 2011, 1,258,554 people (4.8% of the population of Nepal) were Kami. The frequency of Kami by province was as follows:
The frequency of Kami was higher than national average (4.8%) in the following districts: [12]
According to the 2001 Nepal census, 895,954 Kami inhabited the country, among which 96.69% were Hindus and 2.21% were Christians. Kami makes up 4.8% of Nepal's population (or 1,258,554 people) according to the survey of 2011. [11]
Common surnames (Thar-थर) include B.K., Ghimire, Lohar, Sharma, Silwal, Khadka, Gajmer, Khati, Sirwal, Baraili, Darnal, Diyali, Laamgade,Rasaili, Gadal,karki ,poudel etc. Their surnames are similar to the Brahmins of Nepal. These surnames are used by Nepali community living in the different parts of India basically in North East States, Sikkim Darjeeling, Tarai and Dooars. In West Bengal these surnames are brought under Scheduled Caste. But in other states like Assam the people of Kami Community are not included in Scheduled Caste. [11]
The primary occupations include silversmith, ironsmith, goldsmith. Products include idols, weapons, and shields were also produced by these people in the past. Majority of the community were literate and had poor economical status in the past. As the democracy established in country many of them are engaged in business activity improving their socio-economic status.[ citation needed ]
Gurung or Tamu are an ethnic group living in the hills and mountains of Gandaki Province of Nepal. Gurung people predominantly live around the Annapurna region in Manang, Mustang, Dolpo, Kaski, Lamjung, Gorkha, Parbat,Tanahun and Syangja districts of Nepal.
Damai is an occupational caste found among Khas people comprising 45 subgroups. Their surnames take after the subgroup they belong to. People belonging to this caste are traditionally tailors and musicians capable of using the naumati baja - an ensemble of nine traditional musical instruments. The term Damai is coined from the musical instrument Damaha. The 1854 Nepalese Muluki Ain categorized Damai as "Lower caste” category. Thus, K.C's of Kageswori municipality,Thali are one of the Damai group of the Kathmandu Valley.
Chhetri, historically called Kshettriya or Kshetriya or Khas are Nepali speaking Rajputs of Khas community, some of whom trace their origin to migration from medieval India. Chhetri was a caste of administrators, governor and military elites in the medieval Khas Kingdom and Gorkha Kingdom. The nobility of the Gorkha Kingdom mainly originated from Chhetri families. They also had a strong presence in civil administration affairs. The bulk of prime ministers of Nepal before the democratization of Nepal belonged to this caste as a result of the old Gorkhali aristocracy. Gorkha-based aristocratic Chhetri families included the Pande dynasty, the Basnyat dynasty, the Kunwar family, and the Thapa dynasty,.
Sarki/Mijar is an occupational caste in Nepal. They are found in the region of the Himalayas, Nepal, across the hills of Darjeeling & Kalimpong and in Terai area of Dooars. They are experts in playing their musical instrument "Madal" and performing dance in a group which is also called “Khayali Marooni”. According to the 2021 Nepal census, Sarki makes up 1.55% of Nepal's population. Sarki are referred to in the Nepali and Thakali languages.
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.
Badi is a Hill Dalit community in Nepal. The 1854 Nepalese Muluki Ain categorized Badi as "Impure and Untouchable " category. Badi are categorized under "Hill Dalit" among the 9 broad social groups, along with Damai, Sarki, Kami and Gaine by the Government of Nepal. 'Badi' means Vadyabadak, one who plays musical instruments, in Sanskrit. Sometimes called untouchables among the untouchables, they support their impoverished families through daily wages and fishing, woodcutting and making musical instruments.
Aathbiskot is a Municipality in West Rukum District in Karnali Province of Nepal that was established in 2015 through the merging the former Village development committees of Aathbiskot, Aathbisdandagaun, Ghetma, Magma, Gotamkot and Syalakhadi.
Chaurjahari is a Municipality in Western Rukum District in Karnali Province of Nepal that was established in 2015 through the merging the two former Village development committees Bijayaswori and Kotjahari. It lies on the bank of Sani Bheri River.
Musikot is a municipality and the district headquarter of Western Rukum District in Karnali Province of Nepal that was established as Musikot Khalanga on 2 December 2014 by merging the two former Village development committees Musikot and Khalanga. From 2014 until 2018, Musikot was called Musikot Khalanga and until 2017 served as the district headquarter of Rukum District. It lies on the bank of Sani Bheri River. It borders with Eastern Rukum in the east, Sanibheri rural municipality in the west, Banfikot rural municipality in the north and Tribeni rural municipality and Rolpa district in the south.
Bahun, also known as Hill Brahmins, are a Brahmin varna among the Khas of Nepal. They are Sub caste of the Kanyakubja Brahmin while their origins are from Kannauj and the Himalayan belt of South Asia. According to the 2011 Nepal census, Bahun is the second most populous group after Chhetri.
Western Rukum a part of Karnali Province, is one of the seventy-seven districts of Nepal. Musikot is the headquarter of the district.
Sani Bheri is a rural municipality located in Western Rukum District of Karnali Province of Nepal.
Triveni is a rural municipality located in Western Rukum District of Karnali Province of Nepal.
Banphikot is a rural municipality located in Western Rukum District of Karnali Province of Nepal. According to 2011 Census conducted by Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), Banphikot Rural Municipality had total population of 18,696. Banphikot Rural Municipality was established in 2015 through the merging five the former Village development committees of Aathbiskot, Pipal, Duli and Magma. This Municipality shares boarder with Sisne Rural Municipality in the East, Sani Bheri Rural Municipality in the West, Aathbiskot Municipality in the North, and Musikot Municipality in the South.
Sisne is a rural municipality in Eastern Rukum District of Lumbini Province Province of Nepal.
Bhume is a rural municipality located in Eastern Rukum District of Lumbini Province Province of Nepal.
Putha Uttarganga is a rural municipality located in Eastern Rukum District of Lumbini Province Province of Nepal.
Dhankari is a Gaupalika(Nepali: गाउपालिका ; gaupalika) in Achham District in the Sudurpashchim Province of far-western Nepal.
Chhanna is a Gaupalika(Nepali: गाउपालिका ; gaupalika) in Bajhang District in the Sudurpashchim Province of far-western Nepal.
Badikedar is a Gaupalika(Nepali: गाउपालिका ; gaupalika) in Doti District in the Sudurpashchim Province of far-western Nepal. Badikedar has a population of 16720.The land area is 332.55 km2. It was formed by merging Ghangal, Mannakapadi and Lanakedareshwor VDCs.