Socio-Cultural Status of Lepchain Fikkal Vdc,Ilam

Abstract

For the partial fulfillment of Master Degree in Rural Development, thisdissertation has been done it title of “Socio-Cultural Status of Lepcha inFikkal VDC, Ilam”. To the very fact, this study has also anayzed tgeeconomic status of Lepcha in the Fikkal VDC. Nepalese society is made up of different types of people. But some of thetribes are going backward due to the lack of proper research, study andsecurity for that tribe. In order to protect these tribes, the existence of thesetribes should first be protected; if no one pays attention to these tribes theymight remain only in the history. Among different people of Nepal, only one tribe who has been living since theancient period in the eastern part of Ilam is "Lepcha". Even though, but again,Ilam is claimed as an original place of Lepcha, many people inside andoutside Ilam is still unknown about the tribe Lepcha. Therefore, the properresearch and study should be done on the Lepcha tribe only then they canremain forever.Lepchas are basically found in 15 VDCs of Ilam district. Thetotal number of Lepchas of these 15 VDCs of Ilam is 2559. The largestnumbers of Lepchas live in Fikkal VDC. Similarly the 2nd largest numbers ofLepchas are in Samalbung VDC and the 3rd largest numbers of Lepcha are inIroutar VDC. Likewise the less number of Lepchas are inLaxmipur VDC andGorkhe VDC respectively. The Lepchas of Fikkal live in71different housesand the total number of Lepchasof 183.out of which, this study has beenbased on sample size of 46 HHs. For this study, researcher has taken sample size of 46 by using simplerandom sampling method. However, the area of the study was selectedpurposively. In case of research design, it used the exploratory, descriptiveand case study types in which the total thesis was framed. Similarly, primary data were collected through questionnaires, observation, key informant andinterview. The population of this caste is in downsizingcondition.The reason behindless in number of this caste is because of the low fertility rate in these castesand it is because they used to eat food like ‘kukur Tarul’ which slightlyaffected in the fertility rate.The socio cultural status of the Lepchas has beenameliorating day by day at present time. They have accessed in education,health, jobs facilities and even they get 1000 incentives per individual/ monthsfrom the GON. From this study, researcher found that their socio-cultural and economicstatus has been massively in comparison to previous years. As a result, theirancient way of life, religion, dress, house pattern, cultural ceremonies,occupation are rapidly transforming in to modernization. The educationalstatus of this caste has been increasing day by day. They also go for foreignemployment. Thus, as a whole, the socio-cultural status of Lepcha in FikkalVDC in specific and Ilam in general get changing.