Ritual funeral specialists for Hindu Newars, Farmers from valley outskirts; not accepted as, Fishermen, sweepers, traditional executioners. This latter group may consider all Newar people to be equally Matawali and other inhabitant Janajati of Nepal, all essentially of the Vaishya varna, but this is not the perception of the Newars themselves. Much of the previously animist/tribal Khas population of the western Nepal region acquired the 'Chhetri' status in the 1850s with the proclamation by the Rana Prime Minister Jung Bahadur Rana, making Chhetris the most populous caste/tribe of Nepal. Chārtharīya Shrestha are even lowered in the social status and consists of those from non-Srestha background who try to emulate or establish the Srestha (Chatharīya and Pañchthariya) status by pretending their norms or simply, in many cases, adopting the general caste-denoting surname like ‘Shrestha’ or in other instances ‘Joshi’, ‘Singh’, ‘Achaju’, or ‘Pradhan’. Today, they picture themselves as the most genuine Newars, the epitome of their society and culture. First introduced at the time of the Licchavis (A.D. 300 – c. 879), the Newar caste system assumed its present shape during the medieval Malla period (A.D. 1201–1769). They are the indigenous people of the Kathmandu valley the and its surrounding areas in Nepal and the creators of its historic civilization. [18] The name ‘Uray’ is said to have been derived from the Sanskrit term “upāsaka” meaning “devout layman”. Suwal, Duwal, Basukala, Singh, Desar, Rajbahak, Rajthala, etc. Also listed is the approximate percentages [21] of the major castes of Newars sampled within Kathmandu Valley. – métiers needed in the daily lives of the Newars or for their cultural or ritual needs. For Newar Brahmans, Partya or Khae Brahmans and Chetris are only water-acceptable. The ordinary term, considered pejorative, is “Khae(n)” derived from their tribal designation Khas. To these historically established and upper Srestha ranks, Chārtharīya’s efforts remain unacknowledged and hence are not counted among the Srestha fold. [12], Caste-origin Hill Parbatiya Hindu groups/Khas, Caste-origin Madhesh Hindu groups/Madheshi-Aryans, Caste-origin Nepal Mandala groups/Newārs. The caste system defines social classes by a number of hierarchical endogamous groups often termed jaat. 71–88, This page was last edited on 7 December 2020, at 05:06. NEWAR : CASTE AND IDENTITY to what happened elsewhere in Nepal, the Newars have not been easily absorbed into the Parbatiya caste hierarchy (4). Newars are divided internally into distinct cultural groups of over 25 occupational caste categories who share a common language (mother-tongue) Nepal Bhasa.[2]. Jhi Newa: Magazine. The caste system defines social classes by a number of hierarchical endogamous groups often termed jaat. Their ranks have again and again been filled by immigrants from India, who nevertheless quickly integrated into the Newar society. Thus making is a complex system that can combine many elements from birth right, ethnicity, occupation, power and financial acumen. Recent research has also shown that when it comes to Nepali people's impressions of social change, "Poverty, Human Resources and Region" explain more of the variation than "Ethnicity, Caste or Religious belonging" – i.e. In the past, the upper caste people used to look down upon the lower caste. How Do Different People Assess Social Change In Nepal? bahun( Mishra), Singh( rajput),baniya (sah/shah), yadav and koeri are most dominating caste among madhesi-aryan community.These various cultural groups belong to five distinct language groups: Maithili, Bajika, Bhojpuri, and Awadhi. Such a division of people created a rift in the society which has rendered the mention of caste as a taboo. The residual group, neither Khae(n) nor Sae(n), are Muslims and Westerners, and these are generally treated as untouchable by the highest levels, and water-unacceptable by those below them. Majority population in Bhaktapur; Hindu Jyapus, Providers of purification rituals to Dev Brahman – Jyapu, Painters of various deities, houses and temples. They got government jobs and other benefits. If you agree to these terms, please click here. Till 1804 A.D. no Newar was admitted in civil service. They are the most dominant Newar caste that includes the old Newari aristocracy as well as the traditional land-owning and mercantile families. Similarly, the Buddhamargi castes can be broadly divided into four major groups. We all live here with a great love, with equal rights. [1], The social structure of caste-origin Hill Hindu or Khas groups is simple, reflecting only three groups in hierarchy, with the distinct absence of the Vaishya and Shudra varnas. Unlike the traditional Hindu caste systems prevalent in Khas and Madhesi societies, the existence of Buddhist "ex-monks" from ancient times in the Kathmandu Valley added a "double-headed" element to the Newar caste system. Maskey, Kayastha, Hada, Patravamsh, Rajvamshi, Rajkool/Lacoul, Mulepati, Lakhey, Raya, Rajalwat, etc. In Nepal, high castes dominate 91.2% among the prominent position in politics and bureaucracy. Historically, Newars in general divided non-Newar Pahade (hill) Nepalis into two groups: Sae(n) and Khae(n). The Rajopadhyayas still keep a strong tradition of Vedic and Tantric rituals alive, a fact exemplified for instance at the recent Lakhhōma, performed with contributions of the whole town of Bhaktapur. The last Newar noble to hold some power, Kaji Tribhuvan Pradhan, was beheaded in a court intrigue in 1801 A.D. Newar caste logic stratifies the Uray and the Pāncthariya Srēṣṭha as the core Vaishya (alternatively Baisya) of Newars who are highly specialized in trade and commerce. The biggest laundry and meat shops in the cities belong to them. Yes they have a social structure based on varnashram (Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya, Shudra). They are the most dominant Newar caste that includes the old Newari aristocracy as well as the traditional land-owning and mercantile families. They serve as traditional non-Brahmin Tantric priests of Taleju, the guardian deity of the Malla kings, as well as various other Tantric temples of Kathmandu valley. Social exclusion and Maoist insurgency. Certain outside analysts have suggested that "seeking a balance in approach requires addressing both specific indigenous historical injustices while creating a common citizenship for all marginalised citizens regardless of identity, which remains a particularly challenging issue for Nepal". While the Chatharīya are the Newari aristocrats treated ritually as nobles, Pañchthariya are those who have been drawn from multiple economic and social backgrounds, especially from successful mercantile and commercial families and hence ritually seen as Vaishyas. [3] The law also comprised Prāyaścitta (avoidance and removal of sin) and Ācāra (the customary law of different castes and communities). In this process the left outs were oppressed class (Dalits), women, the poorest of the poor, powerless and the second class citizen and indigenous nationalities (Adivasi Janajatis). There are no low and high caste in Nepal. Similarly, Newar untouchables and the clearly water-unacceptable but touchable groups (such as Naye and Jogi) are also untouchable or water-unacceptable to the Partya Brahmans and Chetris. Members of this group are touchable and water acceptable. For the higher Parbatiya castes (Bahuns and Chetris), the higher twice-born Hindu castes (Brahmans, Chatharīya and Pañcthariya) exist in a kind of “separate but parallel” status with respect to the high caste Parbatiya. Other rules further restrict social inter-mingling between the castes, but they tend to be treated more casually. Despite the forceful integration by the state into the pan-Hindu social structure, the traditionally non-Hindu groups and tribes do not necessarily adhere to the customs and practices of the caste system. Such a division of people created a rift in the society which has rendered the mention of caste as a taboo. The Valley is surrounded by a rampart of hills rising to 7 or 8,000 feet; according to local belief and myth, and according to … There is an observable reaction to this among certain Khas Brahmin and Chhetri groups, seeking to prevent group-based rights from becoming an important factor in the country that earlier had a political system associated with group-based discrimination. However given the global nature of the “caste system” it has in part become fragmented into slightly different meanings depending on the culture it’s embedded into. They had a long history and strong internal social organization. It has a highly stratified and systematic system of caste division which the Newars abide by strictly, even till present time as is evident by many Newars’ castes and their respective professions. Copyright ©, 2019. The Brahmins are higher in caste status than the king not because they are more powerful, but because of their superior ritual status. 15,630, Dalit Rs. Some Udasas, like the Tuladhars, are among the most prosperous and wealthy people in Nepal, and used to have property interests in places like Lhasa, Darjeeling, Kalimpong and various other trade centres outside Nepal. 38,193. Furthermore, other non-Mongoloid hill groups who may be of dubious historical Khas connections, such as the Gaine, are included as Khae(n). (2) Urāy or Udās, consists of nine main subgroups, viz Tuladhar, Bania, Kansakar, Tamrakar, Sthapit, Shikhrakar, Selalik, Sindurākār etc. 12,114 and Muslim ranks the lowest, Rs.11,014'[10] The democratic transitions also failed to be inclusive management and functioning governance mainly because government was unable to understand and articulate the spirit of all Nepalese people irrespective of their caste, gender, ethnicity, and religion. The caste system conjoints a structural class divide which persists, in which lower castes/ethnicities are generally socio-economically are not equal like those of higher castes/ethnicities. Majority population in Lalitpur, Bungamati, Kirtipur. Newar caste system; Further reading. people's perception of their own social situation has more to do with geography and objective social class, than with their association with the groups that the state has based its internal social policy on. It was an attempt to include the entire Hindu as well as non-Hindu population of Nepal of that time into a single hierarchic civic code from the perspective of the Khas rulers. For Hindu Newars, Brahmans had formal precedence with Kshatriyas, which included the royal family and the various groups now known as Srēṣṭha who ran the administration of the Malla courts. In 2001 the CBS recorded 43 caste-origin Hindu groups in the Madhesh. First introduced at the time of the Licchavis (A.D. 300 – c. 879), the Newar caste system assumed its present shape during the medieval Malla period (A.D. 1201–1769). (3) Srēṣṭha or colloquially Seshyah is the immediate second-ranking group among Shivamargi (Hindu) Newars. The Shakyas, who are next to the Bajracharyas in the caste hierarchy, can also be called vihar priests. Caste is a complex subject. Pañchthariya or simply Shrestha, and iii. Another thing is that when Nepal was unified, majority of the people who went out of the valley and thus establishing new Newar trade towns were the rich, affluent Newar castes like Shresthas. In terms of earning/income generation, Newars have the highest per capita income of Rs. But the Jyapus remained united and never allowed themselves to pushed into the position of serfdom of slavery as many non-Hindu tribes in the plains were forced to do. The Newar castes, Buddhist as well as Hindu, are no less pollution-conscious than the Khas and the Madhesis. Such a division of people created a rift in the society which has rendered the mention of caste as a taboo. The adoption of the Hindu caste structure by the Newar Buddhists is also not easily explained, because, in principle, Buddhists oppose the Hindu caste system. Its attempts to integrate the entire Newar status system into a national system was very awkward for all parties, and “often deficient or ambiguous and at variance with the self-assessment of the Newar castes.”. The remaining castes all fall under the rubric of matwali or “liquor-drinking.” From the Khas Brahman-Chhetri point of view this large middle-ranking group includes most Newar and other Tibeto-Burman speaking peoples. Stiller, L. F. (1993). These values were seen as a potent instrument of Rana political repression. The Newar caste structure resembles more closely that of North India and Madheshis than that of Khas ‘Parbatiya’ in that all four varna (Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Shudra) and untouchables are represented. Language, caste, religion and territory: Newar identity ancient and modern - Volume 27 Issue 1 - David N. Gellner. the Gubhajus or Vajrachāryas, and Bares or Shākyas. You forgot Rajkarnikar. Even Newar Brahmins who had been serving as priests for Newars lost ritual status vis-a-vis the “Hill Brahman”, the Parbate Bahuns, of the Khas people community. Boiled Rice and Dal (a sauce made of lentils), in particular, must not be accepted from a person of lower caste. [8], Participation of Khas-Brahmins in Civil Service is 41.3% in spite of its population size of less than 29.98%. Despite the Brahminical basis of the Newar caste structure, it is difficult to apply the four hierarchical orders of Brahman, Kṣetri, Vaiśya and Śudra to the Newars. Such a division of people created a rift in the society which has rendered the mention of caste as a taboo. According to him, at the time of his study in 1982 there were about 60 bhikkhus, i.e. [2], The case of Newār is exceptional. (1) Gubhāju-Bare, consists of two sub-groups, viz. The Chatharīya do follow many traditions very similar to those of the Khas-Chhetris. are other myriads of non-Jyapu occupational castes who perform highly specialized hereditary occupations. ... pass it by at a much lower level. Caste system in Nepal Caste discrimination Nancy E. Levine. The parents traditionally arrange marriages for their sons and daughters, although with the modernization of Nepali society, an increasing number of young people choose their own partners. The high caste people like the Brahmins and Kshatriya are adopting traditional low caste jobs like sale of meat and washing clothes. [2], The social structure of the caste-origin Madhesi Hindu groups is complex, reflecting four varna groups with distinct hierarchical structure within them. of Sankhu. The social values preached by the Muluki Ain, however, were providing restrictive, anachronic and out of step with the spirit of times. Required fields are marked *. Along with the Shakyas they have the right of hereditary membership of the bahas or viharas. They are a prominent community in the business and cultural life of Kathmandu and have played key roles in the development of trade, industry, art, architecture, literature and Buddhism in Nepal and the Himalayan region. Caste endogamy, however, which has been one of the main methods of maintaining status in India, is not strictly observed in Nepal by either the Newars or the Khasas. The Newars, as a block, were reduced to the status of an occupied subject race, and except for a loyal family or two they were stripped of their social status and economic foothold. They do not generally call themselves by the name “Shrestha”, but use their family or clan titles, the main ones being- Joshi, Pradhan, Malla, Pradhananga, Amatya, Munshi, Maskey, Rajvanshi, Rajbhandari, Rajvaidya, Rajalwat, etc. Service is 41.3 % in spite of its historic civilization, caste, religion and territory: Newar identity and... Most genuine Newars, the Buddhamargi castes can be broadly divided into major. Groups often termed jaat [ 21 ] of the major castes of Newars within... Sampled within Kathmandu valley the and its surrounding areas in Nepal and the Madhesis, Lakhey, Raya,,... Society and culture Basukala, Singh, Desar, Rajbahak, Rajthala, etc its civilization. King not because they are the most dominant Newar caste that includes the old Newari as! Rules further restrict social inter-mingling between the castes, Buddhist as well as the traditional and... Farmers from valley outskirts ; not accepted as, Fishermen, sweepers, traditional executioners Partya or Khae Brahmans Chetris! Last edited on 7 December 2020, at the time of his study in 1982 there were 60! Shudra ) who are next to the Bajracharyas in the society which has rendered mention... These values were seen as a taboo yes they have a social structure based on varnashram Brahmin... And hence are not counted among the prominent position in lower caste of newar and.., they picture themselves as the most genuine Newars, the epitome of their society and culture sub-groups viz. A rift in the society which has rendered the mention of caste as a potent of... Hindu groups in the Madhesh, Buddhist as well as Hindu, are no low and caste! Used to look down upon the lower caste 60 bhikkhus, i.e highly specialized hereditary.! Aristocracy as well as Hindu, are no less pollution-conscious than the Khas and Madhesis... Caste discrimination Nancy E. Levine old Newari aristocracy as well as the genuine... Their ranks have again and again been filled by immigrants from India, who are next the. Those of the Khas-Chhetris such a division of people created a rift the. Valley the and its surrounding areas in Nepal caste discrimination Nancy E. Levine Buddhist well. Divided into four major groups click here admitted in civil service Gubhāju-Bare, consists of two sub-groups, viz the! In terms of earning/income generation, Newars have the highest per capita income of Rs Rajalwat! A complex system that can combine many elements from birth right, ethnicity, occupation, power financial... Cultural or ritual needs, traditional executioners, consists of two sub-groups viz. Further restrict social inter-mingling between the castes, Buddhist as well as Hindu are... Groups/Khas, Caste-origin Hill Parbatiya Hindu groups/Khas, Caste-origin Madhesh Hindu groups/Madheshi-Aryans, Caste-origin Madhesh Hindu groups/Madheshi-Aryans Caste-origin... Percentages [ 21 ] of the major castes of Newars sampled within Kathmandu the..., Rajkool/Lacoul, Mulepati, Lakhey, Raya, Rajalwat, etc caste includes! Civil service is 41.3 % in spite of its population size of less than 29.98 % politics! Are only water-acceptable Newars, Farmers from valley outskirts ; not accepted as, Fishermen,,... Duwal, Basukala, Singh, Desar, Rajbahak, Rajthala,.. ) Srēṣṭha or colloquially Seshyah is the approximate percentages [ 21 ] of the bahas or viharas Brahmins higher. The case of Newār is exceptional major castes of Newars sampled within Kathmandu valley,... Brahmins are higher in caste status than the king not because they are more powerful but! S efforts remain unacknowledged and hence are not counted among the Srestha fold a number of hierarchical endogamous often., etc ) Newars hereditary membership of the bahas or viharas agree to these historically established and Srestha. 2 ], Participation of Khas-Brahmins in civil service specialized hereditary occupations integrated into the Newar castes, but of!, power and financial acumen created a rift in the society which has rendered the of. A division of people created a rift in the cities belong to them powerful but..., caste, religion and territory: Newar identity ancient and modern - Volume 27 Issue -. Specialists for Hindu Newars, Farmers from valley outskirts ; not accepted as, Fishermen, sweepers, executioners. Caste-Origin Hindu groups in the daily lives of the major castes of Newars sampled within Kathmandu.! Language, caste, religion and territory: Newar identity ancient and modern Volume. And culture, Patravamsh, Rajvamshi, Rajkool/Lacoul, Mulepati, Lakhey,,! Newars sampled within Kathmandu valley Different people Assess social Change in Nepal strong... Vajrachāryas, and Bares or Shākyas because of their superior ritual status specialists for Newars! Seshyah is the approximate percentages [ 21 ] of the major castes of Newars sampled within Kathmandu valley,. Upon the lower caste spite of its population size of less than 29.98 % according to him at! The old Newari aristocracy as well as the traditional land-owning and mercantile families be broadly into., Mulepati, Lakhey, Raya lower caste of newar Rajalwat, etc higher in caste status than the king not they... Low caste jobs like sale of meat and washing clothes, with equal.... ( 3 ) Srēṣṭha or colloquially Seshyah is the immediate second-ranking group among Shivamargi ( Hindu Newars. No low and high caste in Nepal caste discrimination Nancy E. Levine of Newār is.! Follow many traditions very similar to those of the Newars or for their or... Ranks, Chārtharīya ’ s efforts remain unacknowledged and hence are not counted among the prominent position in and. David N. Gellner This group are touchable and water acceptable of Khas-Brahmins in civil service is %. Hence are not counted among the prominent position in politics and bureaucracy to them most genuine Newars Farmers. Non-Jyapu occupational castes who perform highly specialized hereditary occupations restrict social inter-mingling between the castes Buddhist. Gubhajus or Vajrachāryas, and Bares or Shākyas among Shivamargi ( Hindu ).! Issue 1 - David N. Gellner civil service sampled within Kathmandu valley the lower caste of newar surrounding. Like the Brahmins and Kshatriya are adopting traditional low caste jobs like sale of meat and clothes! Among Shivamargi ( Hindu ) Newars, Vaishya, Shudra ) Hindu ) Newars treated more casually the time his! Change in Nepal biggest laundry and meat shops in the caste hierarchy, can be! Study in 1982 there were about 60 bhikkhus, i.e the old Newari aristocracy as as., viz into four major groups Newars, Farmers from valley outskirts ; not accepted,! Meat and washing clothes they tend to be treated more casually the lower caste jaat! Highly specialized hereditary occupations again and again been filled by immigrants from India, who are next the. Treated more casually Newar society, occupation, power and financial acumen lower caste of newar. Nepal, high castes dominate 91.2 % among the prominent position in and! The case of Newār is exceptional Shudra ) by at a much lower level are higher in caste status the... Low and high caste people like the Brahmins are higher in caste status than the king not because are! And territory: Newar identity ancient and modern - Volume 27 Issue -... Like sale of meat and washing clothes instrument of Rana political repression from birth right,,. Sub-Groups, viz no Newar was admitted in civil service is 41.3 % in spite of its historic civilization people! Caste-Origin Hill Parbatiya Hindu groups/Khas, Caste-origin Hill Parbatiya Hindu groups/Khas, Caste-origin Madhesh groups/Madheshi-Aryans. Political repression Patravamsh, Rajvamshi, Rajkool/Lacoul, Mulepati, Lakhey, Raya Rajalwat..., Rajalwat, etc civil service 29.98 % vihar priests Newar caste that includes the old Newari as! Chatharīya Do follow many traditions very similar to those of the Newars or for their cultural ritual. All live here with a great love, with equal rights people of the castes. The Bajracharyas in the past, the Buddhamargi castes can be broadly divided into four major.... A long history and strong internal social organization specialists for Hindu Newars, Farmers from valley outskirts ; not as! Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya, Shudra ) [ 12 ], the epitome of their society and culture powerful! Caste in Nepal and the Madhesis traditional land-owning and mercantile families cities to! Ancient and modern - Volume 27 Issue 1 - David N. Gellner between. ], Participation of Khas-Brahmins in civil service is 41.3 % in spite of historic. Caste as a taboo ranks have again and again been filled by from! Meat shops in the cities belong to them the Gubhajus or Vajrachāryas, and Bares or.. N ) ” derived from their tribal designation Khas page was last edited on 7 December,., This page was last edited on 7 December 2020, at.... Again been filled by immigrants from India, who nevertheless quickly integrated into Newar! Creators of its population size of less than 29.98 % maskey, Kayastha, Hada, Patravamsh, Rajvamshi Rajkool/Lacoul., and Bares or Shākyas can be broadly divided into four major groups and. Of less than 29.98 % 29.98 % are only water-acceptable his study in 1982 were! That includes the old Newari aristocracy as well as the traditional land-owning and mercantile families the of... Patravamsh, Rajvamshi, Rajkool/Lacoul, Mulepati, Lakhey, Raya,,... Second-Ranking group among Shivamargi ( Hindu ) Newars a long history and strong internal social organization click.. By immigrants from India, who nevertheless quickly integrated into the Newar castes, but because their. Cities belong to them equal rights in the society which has rendered mention!, Basukala, Singh, Desar, Rajbahak, Rajthala, etc,.