Continuity and Change: An Ethnography Study of the Darais of Jagatpur in Chitwan District

Abstract

This is an ethnography study of rural Darai, an ethnic group of inner Terai, which came to interact with Parbatiya emigrants after the success of DDT spraying campaign against malaria in Jagatpur settlement of Chitwan District Since 1960s, different caste/ethnic groups(Parbatiya) from hills and indigenous Darais have been living there together. Darais of jagatpur have developed their own methods of identity management through the processes of persistence and change. The persistence and change are taken place more spontaneous more locally informed dialectical interplay at the boundary. Some of the distinct identity markers and continuation of Darais of Jagatpur include: Darai language, beliefs in god and goddesses, traditional occupation (fishing, hunting and basket and net weaving) food habits and rituals (marriage and death) Dress ornaments, family structure, traditional treatment practices(gurau jakri ), name giving like Aita Ram (a person who was born in aitabar) to other are observed changes among the Darais of Jagatpur.