Damai

Damai (Nepali: दमाइँ) is an occupational caste found among Khas people.[2] They comprise 45 subgroups. Their surnames take after the subgroup they belong to.[3] People belonging to this caste are traditionally tailors[2] and musicians. They are adept at using the naumati baja- an ensemble of nine traditional musical instruments.[3] Damai is coined from musical instrument Damaha. The 1854 Nepalese Muluki Ain (Legal Code) categorized Damai as "Lower caste” category.[4] Thus, the tribal designation of Khas is given only in few context to Kami, Damai and Sarki due to traditional status.[2]

For other uses, see Damai (disambiguation).
Damai
दमाइँ
Damai men playing traditional Damaha
472,862 (1.8% of Nepal's population) [1]
Languages
Nepali language (Khas kura)
Religion
Hinduism 96.59% (2011)
Related ethnic groups
Khas people, Kami, Badi, Sarki, Gandarbha/Gaine

Due to many caste-based discriminations in Nepal, 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 with its caste-based discriminations and the untouchability roots.[8]

According to 2011 Nepal census, Damai make up 1.8% of Nepal's population (or 472,862 peoples).[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]

Geographical distribution

At the time of the 2011 Nepal census, the frequency of Damai by province was as follows:

The frequency of Damai was higher than national average (1.8%) in the following districts:[9]

References
  1. "Nepal Census 2011" (PDF).
  2. Whelpton 2005, p. 31.
  3. The Splendour of Sikkim- Culture and Traditions of the Ethnic Communities of Sikkim. Cultural Affairs and Heritage Department, Government of India. 2017. p. 81.
  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 2021-02-28.
  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). "Birenda, 55, Ruler of Nepal's Hindu Kingdom". The New York Times. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  9. 2011 Nepal Census, District Level Detail Report

Bibliography


This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.