Occupational Change Among Sarkis (A Sociological Study of Arjewa VDC, Baglung)

Abstract

The aim “Occupational Change Among Sarkis: A Sociological Study of Arjewa VDC Baglung" is to give a short description of Sarki community, a socially excluded caste group of Nepal, regarding their occupation change, For this purpose, Arjewa VDC of Baglung district was selected purposively. There are total 69 households of Sarki community and the total population of them is 227. To that end, research questions were raised and combinations of qualitative and quantitative methods were adopted Observation, Interview and Key informant survey were adopted as a part of techniques of Sociological research so as to collect data.However, the primary data played a dominant role into drawing a valid conclusion.Some relevant and useful secondary data were also incorporated. The Sarki are traditionally occupational caste. Their main occupation were makings hoes and plougher other field in past, but the young generation leading their traditional profession for better economic and social status. Most of the people works daily wages about skilled labour. (i.e carpentry) and few of the younger people are went foreign country. The Sarkis are poor and exploited by higher castes. Most of them are few land owner and are uneducated. Therfore they are backward in every field. Caste based discriminations can be seen clearly. The Sarkis are not allowed to enter into the home of upper castes. The traditional occupations of the Sarkis are Ploughing, grave digging, cremating dead bodies of animals and making a variety of shoes from the leather. They have left grave-digging and cremating dead bodies making shoes and ploughing of the other’s field. The young generations are leaving their traditional professions . Owing the modern instruments , availability of new technology and modernization trend this community has been found taking leap from their traditional occupation of making jackets, shoes with traditional technology, and unpaid labour to modern or iv non caste occupation, like foreign service, during or wage based labour .Under theclosed system ,which is in stark contrast to the open system, social status and occupational practices of community members are exclusively guide and limited by the norms and values of that community .When it comes to the Sarki community ,its occupational practices were limited to shoe making. However within the system the Sarkis families have brought a new dimension to their traditional occupations. The main causes behind such occupational alteration has been found to be diverse population, increasing linkage to market, different opportunities for achieved occupation, education, foreign employment, and so on. Lack of education and awareness towards it were evident amongst the community. There were different types of NGOs/IN GOs which were working to improve and enhance the life style of Dalits ,but there is not seen any positive sign in the improvement of the Sarki life style. Gradually, social awareness is improving and enhancing among the Sarkis of the study area due to the effect of modernization.