Sarki (ethnic group)

Sarki/Mijar (Nepali: सार्की) is an occupational caste in Nepal traditionally belonging to leather workers.[3] They are found in the region of the Himalayas, Nepal, across the hills of Darjeeling & Kalimpong and in Terai area of Dooars. They are experts in playing their musical instrument "Madal" and performing dance in a group which is also called “Khayali Marooni”. According to the 2021 Nepal census, Sarki makes up 1.55% of Nepal's population (452,229 people).[4] Sarki are referred to in the Nepali and Thakali languages.[5]

For other uses, see Sarki (disambiguation).
Sarki/Mijar
सार्की/मिजार
Regions with significant populations
Himalayas
Nepal Nepal
India Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Dooars
 Bhutan
 Burma
Nepal452,229 (1.5% of Nepal's population)[1]
Languages
Nepali, Thakali some also speak Gurung
Religion
Hinduism 95.46% (2011), Christianity 4.34% (2011)[2]
Related ethnic groups
indigenous people, Damai, Badi, Kami, Gandarbha/Gaine

Due to many caste-based discriminations in Nepal, the government of Nepal legally abolished the caste-system and criminalized any caste-based discrimination, including "untouchability" (the ostracism of a specific caste) - in the year 1963 A.D.[6] With Nepal's step towards freedom and equality, Nepal, previously ruled by a Hindu monarchy, was a Hindu nation which has now become a secular state,[7] and on 28 May 2008, it was declared a republic,[8] ending it as a Hindu Kingdom[9]

The 1854 Nepalese Muluki Ain (Legal Code) categorized Sarki as a category.[10] Sarki is categorized under "Hill Dalit" among the 9 broad social groups, along with Damai, Badi, Kami and Gaine by the Government of Nepal.[11]

Geographic distribution

At the time of the 2011 Nepal census, 374,816 people (1.4% of the population of Nepal) were Sarki.[12] The frequency of Sarki by province was as follows:

The frequency of Sarki was higher than national average (1.4%) in the following districts:

Language

The Nepali language spoken by Khas Arya is their mother tongue. They also speak Gurung .

References
  1. National Statistics Office (2021). National Population and Housing Census 2021, Caste/Ethnicity Report. Government of Nepal (Report).
  2. Central Bureau of Statistics (2014). Population monograph of Nepal (PDF) (Report). Vol. II. Government of Nepal.
  3. Whelpton 2005, p. 31.
  4. National Statistics Office (2021). National Population and Housing Census 2021, Caste/Ethnicity Report. Government of Nepal (Report).
  5. Vinding, Michael (1998). The Thakali: A Himalayan Ethnography. Serindia Publications. pp. 388, 443. ISBN 9780906026502.
  6. Welle (www.dw.com), Deutsche. "Nepal: Deadly caste-based attacks spur outcry over social discrimination | DW | 16.06.2020". DW.COM. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
  7. "Nepal king stripped of most powers". CNN. 18 May 2006. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  8. "Nepal votes to abolish monarchy". BBC News. 28 May 2008. Archived from the original on 7 January 2017. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  9. Crossette, Barbara (3 June 2001). "Birenda, 55, Ruler of Nepal's Hindu Kingdom". The New York Times. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  10. Gurung, Harka (2005) Social Exclusion and Maoist Insurgency. Paper presented at National Dialogue Conference at ILO Convention 169 on Indigenous and Tribal peoples, Kathmandu, 19–20 January 2005.
  11. "Nepal Census 2011" (PDF).
  12. 2011 Nepal Census, District Level Detail Report

Bibliography
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