Damai
Nowadays, Damai has become a topic of general interest in society. With the advancement of technology and access to information, more and more people are interested in learning more about Damai and how it impacts their lives. Whether Damai is a person, place, event or phenomenon, its relevance in today's world is undeniable. In this article, we will explore different aspects of Damai to understand its importance and influence in different areas. From its history to its impact today, Damai is a topic that invites us to reflect and understand its meaning in our modern world.
दमाइँ | |
|---|---|
 Damai men playing traditional Damaha | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
 Nepal | 565,932 (1.9% of Nepal's population) (2021) |
| Languages | |
| Nepali (Khas kura) | |
| Religion | |
| Hinduism 96.59% (2011), Christianity 3.22% (2011) | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Khas people, Kami, Badi, Sarki, Gandarbha/Gaine | |
Damai (Nepali: दमाइँ pronounced [dʌmaĩ]; IAST: Damāĩ) is an occupational caste found among Khas people comprising 45 subgroups. Their surnames take after the subgroup they belong to. People belonging to this caste are traditionally tailors and musicians capable of using the naumati baja - an ensemble of nine traditional musical instruments. The term Damai is coined from the musical instrument Damaha. The 1854 Nepalese Muluki Ain (Legal Code) categorized Damai as "Lower caste” category. Thus, the tribal designation of Khas is given only in few context to Kami, Damai and Sarki due to traditional status.
The Government of Nepal abolished the caste-system and criminalized any caste-based discrimination, including "untouchability" in 1963. The country, previously ruled by a Hindu monarchy was a Hindu nation which has now become a secular state. It was declared a republic in 2008, thereby ending it as the Hindu Kingdom with its caste-based discriminations and the untouchability roots.
According to the 2021 Nepal census, Damai make up 1.94% of Nepal's population (or 565,932 people). Damai are categorized under "Hill Dalit" among the 9 broad social groups, along with Kami, Badi, Sarki and Gaine by the Government of Nepal.
Geographical distribution
At the time of the 2011 Nepal census, the frequency of Damai by province was as follows:
- Karnali Province (4.0%)
- Gandaki Province (3.9%)
- Sudurpashchim Province (2.6%)
- Lumbini Province (1.9%)
- Koshi Province (1.8%)
- Bagmati Province (1.4%)
- Madhesh Province (0.2%)
The frequency of Damai was higher than national average (1.8%) in the following districts:
- Parbat (7.5%)
- Myagdi (5.8%)
- Kalikot (5.1%)
- Dailekh (5.0%)
- Baglung (4.7%)
- Doti (4.6%)
- Surkhet (4.6%)
- Mustang (4.4%)
- Bajura (4.2%)
- Jajarkot (4.0%)
- Lamjung (3.9%)
- Dadeldhura (3.8%)
- Gulmi (3.7%)
- Kaski (3.7%)
- Syangja (3.7%)
- Western Rukum (3.7%)
- Rolpa (3.6%)
- Humla (3.5%)
- Tanahun (3.4%)
- Okhaldhunga (3.3%)
- Arghakhanchi (3.2%)
- Eastern Rukum (3.2%)
- Mugu (3.2%)
- Pyuthan (3.2%)
- Achham (3.1%)
- Sindhuli (3.1%)
- Tehrathum (3.1%)
- Gorkha (3.0%)
- Salyan (3.0%)
- Udayapur (2.8%)
- Dang (2.7%)
- Khotang (2.7%)
- Bhojpur (2.6%)
- Dhading (2.5%)
- Jumla (2.5%)
- Nawalpur (2.5%)
- Kanchanpur (2.3%)
- Ramechhap (2.3%)
- Dolakha (2.2%)
- Kailali (2.2%)
- Panchthar (2.2%)
- Sankhuwasabha (2.2%)
- Baitadi (2.1%)
- Chitwan (2.1%)
- Dhankuta (2.1%)
- Jhapa (1.9%)
- Palpa (1.9%)
- Sindhupalchowk (1.9%)
References
- ^ National Statistics Office (2021). National Population and Housing Census 2021, Caste/Ethnicity Report. Government of Nepal (Report).
- ^ Central Bureau of Statistics (2014). Population monograph of Nepal (PDF) (Report). Vol. II. Government of Nepal.
- ^ a b c Whelpton 2005, p. 31.
- ^ a b The Splendour of Sikkim- Culture and Traditions of the Ethnic Communities of Sikkim. Cultural Affairs and Heritage Department, Government of India. 2017. p. 81.
- ^ 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). "Birenda, 55, Ruler of Nepal's Hindu Kingdom". The New York Times. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
- ^ National Statistics Office (2021). National Population and Housing Census 2021, Caste/Ethnicity Report. Government of Nepal (Report).
- ^ "Nepal Census 2011" (PDF).
- ^ "2011 Nepal Census, District Level Detail Report" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2023-03-14. Retrieved 2023-03-20.
Bibliography
- Whelpton, John (2005). A History of Nepal. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0521804707.