Socio-Economic Condition of Nawalpuriya Tharus (A Case Study of Kumarwarti VDC, Nawalparasi)

Abstract

Nepal is renowned as the country of villages where most of the people live in rural areas. It is a country of multi-lingual, multi-ethnic and multi-religious society.One hundred and three castes/ethnic groups live throughout the country. Among them Tharu is the fourth largest ethnic group of Nepal. Tharus are those people who have been almost isolated and neglected by the respective governments. Tharus are basically agriculture peasants. They are less studied ethnic groups of Nepal and are inhabitants of Terai and inner Terai. Among the different clans of Tharus of Nepal Nawalpuriya Tharus and Rautar Tharus are settled in Nawalparasi District. The settlement of Tharusin Nawalparasi district isin considerable number with comparison to the other districts. Present study entitled "Socio-economic Condition of Nawalpuriya Tharus: A Case Study of Kumarwarti VDC" deals with general objectives to analyze the socio-economic condition of Nawalpuriya Tharu in Tamsariya VDC of Nawalparasi District.The specific objectives of the study are to describe the socio-cultural practices of Tharu,to find out the economic condition of Tharu in the study area, and to trace out thefactors of socio-cultural and economic changes of Tharu community. Primary andsecondary data were used for the study. Primary data were collected through Household survey; key informant interview, observation and focus group discussion method using questionnaire and checklist and secondary data were collected through VDC office,private agencies, government offices, various published and unpublished reports. Sixtyhouseholds were selected applying as random sampling method to find out the socio-cultural and economic pattern of the Nawalpuriya Tharus. Descriptive cum exploratory research design has been applied in the study. So far as the researcher, the Nawalpuriya Tharu's socio-economic condition in Kumarwarti is concerned, the researcher has found them as illiterate, oppressed and backward. They have adopted different professions like-agriculture, animal husbandry,labour, carpentry etc since the ancient period. They have their own distinct customs,arts, morals, beliefs, language cultures and socio-economic institutions. Nawalpuriya Tharus started to observe Hindu Festivals such as Dashain and Tihar at the cost of their own festivals such as Fagui, Jitia, Maghi etc. The way of worshipping their village deities, beliefs in spirits, typical dress pattern, and cluster typeof settlement pattern distinctly differ from other ethnic groups. On the one hand, due to the domination of Pahadiyas' Tharus are loosing their native culture, philosophy of lifestyle, self confidence about their own traditions, language and beliefs. But on the ot herhand, due to the domination of other migrants from hills like 'Phadiyas' some significant changes are seen in education, health sector, sanitation, economic activities and way of life style of Nwalpuriya Tharus in Kumarwarti VDC. Based upon the findings, the thesis suggests some recommendations to increase socio-economic condition of Tharus in Kumarwarti VDC. It mainly highlights the lowliteracy rate of Nawalpuriya Tharu people so there should be special kind of incentive to the children of this tribe for education. They are not trained with any vocational guidance so proper training for mobilization of internal resources is required.Moreover, they must be ensured about the importance of education; native culture,language; their indigenous knowledge and be aware made of the bad aspect of them. Soplanners, policy makers and rural developers should cover up their needs and problem.