Darai people
Total population
18,695 [1]
Regions with significant populations
Nepal, India
Languages
Darai language, Nepali
Religion
Hinduism 95%, Christianity 2.51%, Prakriti 2.2% [2]
Related ethnic groups
Danuwar, Bote people

Darai people (Nepali:दरै) are an indigenous ethnic tribal community native to Nepal.[3] Most of their population live in hills and inner terai of Nepal in the banks of Narayani river with the largest concentration in Tanahu, Chitwan, Gorkha and Nawalparasi districts. They are known as Daroe, Darhi, Daraie, Daras, Darad and Darai. According to census of 2021 their population is 18,695. [3][4]

Culture and language

Darai people speak Darai language which is closely related to Danwar Rai but otherwise unclassified. It is mutually intelligible with Bote (Bote-Majhi).[5]

Darai people follow Hinduism and celebrate festivals such as Tihar(called Sohorai), Jarmathi, Teej, Amawsha, Badkibhat, Faguwa, Ghata Naach and Dashain.[6] Their dress is similar to Magar and Gurung dress but their language is what differentiates them from others. [7] In their appearance, attitudes and behavior they are not much different from Tharus.[8][5]

Darai people use earthen pots for daily works, such as to carry water and prepare alcoholic drinks. They use limited metal tools made of iron, bronze, copper and aluminium. They also build a distinct house called Ghumaune Ghar.[6]

Origin

There are various theory on the origin of Darai people. The word Darai is derivative of "Dharroo" which means "physically strong." People from ancient Tanahu used to go to Saranghat (an ancient place in Nawalparasi) for shopping purposes - mainly for salt. On the way, boatmen (now called Bote) used to help them cross the Madi and Buldi rivers. Once, during monsoon season when there were not any boats a man with a heavy bag of salt from Saranghat tried to cross the river himself but was overcome by the flooded river.They are believed to be the inhabitant of Terai region in the banks of Narayani river since several thousand years. Next theory is that Prithvi Narayan Shah divided the Karnali region into various daras which is the origin of the word Darai. Darais is also mentioned in the Mahabharat, Manusmriti and Haribanshapurana.[6]

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. 1 2 Khadka, Shree Krishna (2017), SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS OF DARAI COMMUNITY, Department of Sociology/Anthropology Patan Multiple Campus, Tribhuvan University
  4. ↑ "Darai Indigenous Society Nepal - Who is Darai". daraisociety.page.tl. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
  5. 1 2 "THE DARAI LANGUAGE" (PDF).
  6. 1 2 3 Dhakal, Dubi Nanda (2011), The Darai language, Faculty of Linguistics
  7. ↑ "DARAI PROJECT – An Indigenous people of Nepal". The Asha Project. 2021-03-05. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
  8. ↑ "Janajatis of Nepal" (PDF).


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