Socio economic status of Limbu community ; A case study of Phidim municipality of Panchthar district

Abstract

The study "socio-economic status of the Limbu community" has been conducted at Phidim Municipality of Panchthar district with a general objective generalize the socioeconomic status of the Limbus of the study area. The objectives of the study were to track out the present situation of the Limbus of the study area, to examine the traditional skills of Limbu community and to explore the impact of other cultures on their culture. Primary and secondary data were used to collect the information and tools like observations, formal and non formal discussion, interviews were held to collect other necessary information. Descriptive and analytic research designs have been followed to describe and examine the finding of the study. Out of total 150 households of Phidim Municipality-4, Gadhi. Thirty household respondents of the Limbus were taken as sample by using random sampling method. Social structure of Nepal is very complex, which has been highlighted by various foreign and Nepalese scholars in their writings. Unity in diversity is the major characteristics of Nepalese national culture. Among the different ethnic groups, Limbu is one of the indigenous ethnic groups having their unique culture, traditions and rituals.

The study clears that the Limbus are one of the small ethnic/indigenous group of the study area following their own sorts of language, culture and tradition. Their housing pattern is quite different from other ethnic groups. They are culturally rich, simple, gentle but economically poor. They basically depend upon the wage and agriculture/labour for their livelihood. Their life cycle ceremonies are very interesting and can attract national as well as foreign scholars and researchers. Literacy rate among them is not encouraging. Modernization has changed their traditional, social organizations, such as marriage, family kinship, religious, dance, songs and dress etc.

The government sector showed also role to preserve and develop the Limbu status providing beneficial opportunity by government, creating employment opportunities and introducing formal and non formal education by government and other concerned organizations to enhance their education as well.