The Socio-Cultural and Economic Condition of Tharu People (A Case Study of Benimanipur VDC, Pideri of Nawalparasi District)

Abstract

Nepal is a nation of various tribes, caste and clans differing in language, religion, custom and culture. Nepali cultural is a mixed culture where blend various national culture representing in three ecological regions, the mountain, the Hill and Terai. The Tharus are the Mongoloid in appearance and inhabit the Terai and Inner Terai of Nepal. Nawalparasi is inhabited by various ethnic groups. The Tharu is one of them and are indigenous group of this area. They have own type of traditional ethnic culture. This community, when studied historically seems to have engaged in agriculture. In addition to various other systems and ways of working this community has a lot of originality. This study deals with socio-cultural and economic condition of Tharu people in Pideri village of Benimanipur VDC of Nawalparasi district. General objective of the study is to find out the socio-economic and culture condition of Tharu people of the study area. For this study, 60 households are taken as a sample size from 120 total households of Tharu people of the study area by using simple random technique. To analysis this study, primary source of data is taken into account, which is collected by researcher herself with the help of household survey questionnaire, key informant interview and observation technique. Descriptive as well as quantitative statistical methods have been used to analyze the collected data.

The total population of 60 households is 342 composing 163 male and 179 female. Similarly, the populations of children under the age of 5 years are 20.19% which denote rapid growth of population. The people of the study area are mainly agricultural peasant as they adopt agriculture as their main profession. But they are still adopting the traditional agriculture pattern. They are backward in education and to adopt new technology. Their knowledge toward health and sanitation is very poor. They still believe in witchcraft instead of going to nearby hospital. They have own ways of performing birth, marriage and death ceremonies. They celebrate festival with great joy. They enjoy drinking alcohol like Jad and Raksi in ceremonies and festivals. Limited land, using traditional means and methods in agriculture, high fertility rate, poor educational attachment, lack of health facilities and excess use of liquor are the main factor of Tharu’s poor socio-economic condition. Generally Tharus are known as honest, hardworking and peace loving people. Though, Tharu people are very hardworking but their economic condition is poor and they are living backward life.