Sarki (ethnic group)

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For other uses, see Sarki (disambiguation).
Sarki/Mijar
सार्की/मिजार
Regions with significant populations
Himalayas
Nepal Nepal
India Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Dooars
 Bhutan
 Burma
Nepal374,816 (1.4% of Nepal's population)[1]
Languages
Nepali language (Khas kura)
Religion
Hinduism 95.46% (2011)
Related ethnic groups
Khas people, Damai, Badi, Kami, Gandarbha/Gaine

Sarki/Mijar (Nepali: सार्की, Tibetan: སར་ཀི།) is a Khas occupational caste traditionally belonging to leather workers.[2] 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 2011 Nepal census, Sarki makes up 1.4% of Nepal's population (374,816 people).[1] Sarki are referred to in the Nepali and Thakali languages.[3]

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]

The 1854 Nepalese Muluki Ain (Legal Code) categorized Sarki as a category.[8] Sarki is categorized under "Hill Dalit" among the 9 broad social groups, along with Damai, Badi, Kami and Gaine by the Government of Nepal.[1]

Language[]

The Nepali language spoken by Khas Arya is their mother tongue.

References[]

  1. ^ a b c "Nepal Census 2011" (PDF).
  2. ^ Whelpton 2005, p. 31.
  3. ^ Vinding, Michael (1998). The Thakali: A Himalayan Ethnography. Serindia Publications. pp. 388, 443. ISBN 9780906026502.
  4. ^ 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.
  5. ^ "Nepal king stripped of most powers". CNN. 18 May 2006. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  6. ^ "Nepal votes to abolish monarchy". BBC News. 28 May 2008. Archived from the original on 7 January 2017. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  7. ^ Crossette, Barbara (3 June 2001). "Birenda, 55, Ruler of Nepal's Hindu Kingdom". The New York Times. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  8. ^ 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.

Bibliography[]

  • Whelpton, John (2005). A History of Nepal. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0521804707.
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