Kami (caste)

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Biswakarma
Regions with significant populations
Flag of Nepal.svg    Nepal 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 carving 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]

Contents

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 ]

Geographic distribution

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]

Clans and surnames

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., Lohar, Gajmer, Khati, Sirwal, Baraili, Darnal, Diyali, Laamgade,Rasaili, Gadal, 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]

Economy

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 ]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Damai</span> Khas occupational caste

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chhetri</span> Kshatriya caste of patrilineal Khas-Aryan descent

Chhetri, historically called Kshettriya or Kshetriya or Khas are Nepali speaking Rajputs historically associated with warriors and administrators, some of whom trace their origin to migration from medieval India. Chhetri was a caste of administrators, governors, warriors 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 indisinius people 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 is 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Madheshi people</span> Indo-Aryan Nepalese ethnic group in Terai-Madhesh

Madheshi people is a term used for several ethnic groups in Nepal living in the central and eastern Terai region of Nepal. It has also been used as a political pejorative term by the Pahari people of Nepal to refer to Nepalis with a non-Nepali language as their mother tongue, regardless of their place of birth or residence. The term Madheshi became a widely recognised name for Nepali citizens with an Indian cultural background only after 1990.

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.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Musikot, Western Rukum</span> Municipality in Karnali Province, Nepal

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Western Rukum District</span> District in Karnali Province, Nepal

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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.

Siddha Kumakh is a rural municipality located in Salyan District of Karnali Province of Nepal.

Kumakh is a rural municipality located in Salyan 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.

Mandandeupur is a municipality in Kavrepalanchok District of Bagmati Province of Nepal.

References

  1. ↑ National Statistics Office (2021). National Population and Housing Census 2021, Caste/Ethnicity Report. Government of Nepal (Report).
  2. ↑ Central Bureau of Statistics (2014). Population monograph of Nepal (PDF) (Report). Vol. II. Government of Nepal.
  3. ↑ Whelpton 2005, p. 31.
  4. ↑ Gurung, Harka (2005) Social Exclusion and Maoist Insurgency. Paper presented at National Dialogue Conference at ILO Convention 169 on Indigenous and Tribal peoples, Kathmandu, 19–20 January 2005.
  5. ↑ Welle (www.dw.com), Deutsche. "Nepal: Deadly caste-based attacks spur outcry over social discrimination | DW | 16.06.2020". DW.COM. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
  6. ↑ "Nepal king stripped of most powers". CNN. 18 May 2006. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  7. ↑ "Nepal votes to abolish monarchy". BBC News . 28 May 2008. Archived from the original on 7 January 2017. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  8. ↑ Crossette, Barbara (3 June 2001). "Birendra, 55, Ruler of Nepal's Hindu Kingdom". The New York Times . Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  9. ↑ "Nepal: Ensure Justice for Caste-Based Killings". June 2020.
  10. ↑ "More 'can and must be done' to eradicate caste-based discrimination in Nepal". UN News. 29 May 2020. Retrieved 25 June 2021.
  11. 1 2 3 Population Monograph of Nepal, Volume II
  12. ↑ 2011 Nepal Census, District Level Detail Report

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