Kami (caste)
विश्वकर्मा | |
|---|---|
| Regions with significant populations | |
 Nepal | 1,258,554 (4.8% of Nepal's population)[1] |
| Languages | |
| Nepali language (Khas kura) | |
| Religion | |
| Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Khas people, Damai, Badi, Sarki, Gandarbha/Gaine | |
Bishwakarma or Viswakarma Brahman or Vishwabrahmin (Nepali: विश्वकर्मा) is an Indo-Aryan Nepali speaking group that primarily worked as metalsmiths.[2] Later Nepal abolished its grading system.[3] The tribal designation of Khas is given in only a few contexts to Bishwakarma. They have also been discriminated by various social classes for hundreds of years. Historically, they even lacked the right to read the Hindu religious books, and were only allowed to go to school about 50 years ago. Although the problem of untouchability in Nepal has significantly decreased problems still exist in almost all parts of the country.
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.[4] 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,[5] and on 28 May 2008, it was declared a republic,[6] ending it as the Hindu Kingdom.[7] Even though it is illegal to discriminate people based on their caste, these people are widely discriminated in Nepal. A large portion of people who follow Hinduism still discriminate Kami and other so-called lower castes. While a small minority of the population claims that the problems related to caste based discrimination are no longer present in Nepal, many 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.[8] 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.[9]
In the 21st century, the economic status of this group rapidly increased. They are also called Vishwokarma. They live in hilly or mountainous districts of Nepal and in the Indian areas of Assam, Sikkim and Darjeeling District.[citation needed]
Clans and surnames[]
 | This section does not cite any sources. (September 2020) |
According to the 2001 Nepal census, 895,954 Bishwakarma inhabited the country, among which 96.69% were Hindus and 2.21% were Buddhists. Bishwakarma makes up 4.8% of Nepal's population (or 1,258,554 people) according to the survey of 2011.
Common surnames (Thar-थर) include Sunar (Sonar in India and Terai of Nepal), Bishwakarma (B.K.), Ghimire, Silwal, 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 Viswakarma Community are not included in Scheduled Caste.
Economy[]
The primary occupations include goldsmith, silversmith, ironsmith, and utensil making. Products include idols, weapons, and shields were also produced by these people in the past. In ancient times, few Viswakarma were literate and had poor economical status.
References[]
- ^ "Nepal Census 2011" (PDF).
- ^ Whelpton 2005, p. 31.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Nepal king stripped of most powers". CNN. 18 May 2006. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
- ^ "Nepal votes to abolish monarchy". BBC News. 28 May 2008. Archived from the original on 7 January 2017. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
- ^ Crossette, Barbara (3 June 2001). "Birendra, 55, Ruler of Nepal's Hindu Kingdom". The New York Times. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
- ^ "Nepal: Ensure Justice for Caste-Based Killings". June 2020.
- ^ "More 'can and must be done' to eradicate caste-based discrimination in Nepal". UN News. 2020-05-29. Retrieved 2021-06-25.
Bibliography[]
- Whelpton, John (2005). A History of Nepal. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0521804707.
External links[]
| hide | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sino-Tibetan (Trans-Himalayan) |
| ||||||||
| Indo-Aryan |
| ||||||||
| Indo-Aryan of a distinct origin | |||||||||
| Other peoples (M, D, i) of Indus-Ganga |
| ||||||||
| Immigrants | |||||||||
| Other basis |
| ||||||||
About one third of Madhesi people are of Indian ancestry while the other two thirds are indigenous. | |||||||||
Authority control: National libraries  |
|---|
 | This Nepal-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by . |
- Ethnic groups in Nepal
- Dalit communities
- Nepal stubs