Social-Economic and Cultural Status of Kumal Community(A Case Study of Darlamachaur VDC, Gulmi)

Abstract

Nepal is a nation of various tribes, castes and clans differing in language,religion, customs and culture. Nepali culture is mixed culture where bending of various national culture representing in three ecological regions, the Mountain, the Hill and the Terai. The Kumals are the Mongoloid in appearance and inhabit the Terai, Inner Terai and close to the river valley of mid hills of Nepal. Gulmi district is inhabited by various ethnic groups. The Kumals is one of them and indigenous group of thisarea and has its own type of traditional ethnic culture. This community,when studied historically seems to have adopted traditional profession. In addition to various other systems and ways of working this community has a lot of originality. The study "Socio-economic and Cultural Status of Kumal Community:A Case Study of Darlamchaur VDC"with general objective to analyze the socio-economic and cultural status of Kumal in Drlamchaur VDC ofGulmi district. The specific objectives of the study are to provide a short description on socio-economic status of Kumal community of Darlamchaur VDC of Gulmi district and to provide analysis of socio-cultural status in Kumal community. Primary and secondary data were used for the study.Primary data were collected through structured questionnaire, interview schedule, key informant interview, and observation and secondary data were collected through previous studies, published and unpublished documents. From related literature and from government documents, CBS,newspaper, leaflet and NGOs and INGOs working in Gulmi district.Thirty-nine households were selected following random sampling method and descriptive and exploratory research design had been applied in this study. 5 The present study focuses the changing socio-economic and cultural condition of Kumal and factors responsible for it. The Kumal or ethnic group is least studied group by native and foreign sociologists. The way of worshipping their village deities, believe in spirits, typical dress pattern and cluster type of settlement pattern distinctly differ from other ethnic groups. In one hand due to the domination of 'High Castes' Kumals are loosing their native culture, philosophy of life style, self confidence about their own traditions, language and beliefs. But on the other hand, due to the domination of 'High Casts' some significant changes are seen in education,health sector, sanitation, economic activities and way of life style of Kumal community of Darlamchaur VDC.