Socio-Economic Status of Damai Community (A Case Study of Kuldevmandu Vdc of Bajura)

Abstract

The socio-economic status of Damai (a socially dominated caste and backward group of Nepal) is the subject matter. This study gives a short description of Damai, for this purpose of Kuldevmandu VDC of Bajura district was selected. There are 69 household of Damai in Kuldevmandu VDC and among them 50 household are selected for this study. Description and analytic method is used in this study. Among 50 household of Damai, their population is 325 among them 178 female and 147 are male. The general objective of this study is to find out the socio-economic status of Damai community. The specific objectives of the study are to analyze the socio-economic condition of the Damai community, to examine the relationship between Damai and other caste people and to describe the causes of the backwardness of the Damai community. According to Hindu caste hierarchy, they are Sudra and 'Cachet'(untouchable). Damai community of the study are has no knowledge about their ancient home and of from where they are migrate in Kuldevmandu. Sewing and playing band (Panche Baja) are traditional occupation Damai but labors are main occupation in study area Damai community. Nowadays they are involving in labors and agriculture work. Damai are religiously Hindu and they follow Hindu religion and worship Hindu God and Goddess. Their culture is same as Brahman and chhetri. They celebrate Dashain, Tihar, and Tij etc. Damai are exploited by higher caste group and live in under poverty line, their income level is vow than high caste people. Most of them have not sufficient land for survive so they do labors and service work. Their expenditure is more than income. Most of them are uneducated because of poverty. Majority populations of Damai are illiterate. Arrange marriage is expensive so they have given priority love marriage. Youth have not interested with their indigenous knowledge so that knowledge being to hide from the study area. They are using normal dress and ornaments such as Brahman and Chhetri and speak Nepali language. Even establishment of Republic in Nepal, caste base discrimination is not totally end but it is slowly decreasing process. Still now, Damai are not allowed to enter the house of Brahman and Chhetris.