Posted by: JPEG June 17, 2009
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Beautiful Dhimal ni JPG by JPG
Dhimal is part of the Kirat confederation that includes the Limbu, Rai, Yakkha, Sunuwar, Hayu, Koch, Thami, Tharu, Chepang, and Surel ethnic groups of Nepal that have been recogized by the scholars so far. Kirat was the earliest inhabitants of Nepal and Dhimals are one of the indigenous people of Nepal and India. In Nepal, Dhimals live on the peripheries of the districts of Morang and Jhapa. Dhimals are a minority indigenous nationality of eastern Terai settled along the border areas of Morang and Jhapa districts. They are dubbed as 'Dhimal' by Rajbanshis, 'Haiko' by Meches and 'Limbus of Terai' by the mountain people (Regmi, 1991:55).
Their facial features, language and religious practices are so close to those of the Limbu people that they are also called the Limbus of the Terai. They also show the characteristic habits, quick temper and aggressiveness, of the Limbu people. Analysing the term, 'Dhimal', Tulasi Diwas (2039:2) has interpreted it to mean one vanishing on the edge of river. They consider the Rais (Khambus) of mountains, especially Athpaharaiya Rai, Limbus, Koches of Terai as their brethren. Their animistic religion is very close to other Kirant religion. They worship nature and other household gods. They worship various gods like Sakodir, the family god, Jaurage, or the god of ancestors, Gramdeer, or the god of village, Dharni Berang, or the god of hearth, etc. They believe in soul, ghosts and spirits. Their dhamis and jhakris or shamans are called Ojha. They have immense loyalty/allegiance towards such Ojhas. The community leaders of Dhimals are called Majhi, who officiates the settlement of disputes within the community. This practice is almost non-existent there today.
They bury their dead like other Kirant people. Farming is their specialization. Dhimal women are
famous for their traditional skills of weaving. Marriage can be conducted in any one way, ie by elopement, request or persuasion. Their population in Nepal according to the 2001 census was 19,539 while according to the 2001 Indian census, the Dhimal is one of the smallest tribes in India, totaling a number of approximately 981 people who continue to speak their native Dhimal language. They reside at Mallbari near Siliguri, West Bengal.
Dhimal is part of the Kirat confederation that includes the Limbu, Rai, Yakkha, Sunuwar, Hayu, Koch, Thami, Tharu, Chepang, and Surel ethnic groups of Nepal that have been recogized by the scholars so far. Kirat was the earliest inhabitants of Nepal and Dhimals are one of the indigenous people of Nepal and India. In Nepal, Dhimals live on the peripheries of the districts of Morang and Jhapa. Dhimals are a minority indigenous nationality of eastern Terai settled along the border areas of Morang and Jhapa districts. They are dubbed as 'Dhimal' by Rajbanshis, 'Haiko' by Meches and 'Limbus of Terai' by the mountain people (Regmi, 1991:55).
Their facial features, language and religious practices are so close to those of the Limbu people that they are also called the Limbus of the Terai. They also show the characteristic habits, quick temper and aggressiveness, of the Limbu people. Analysing the term, 'Dhimal', Tulasi Diwas (2039:2) has interpreted it to mean one vanishing on the edge of river. They consider the Rais (Khambus) of mountains, especially Athpaharaiya Rai, Limbus, Koches of Terai as their brethren. Their animistic religion is very close to other Kirant religion. They worship nature and other household gods. They worship various gods like Sakodir, the family god, Jaurage, or the god of ancestors, Gramdeer, or the god of village, Dharni Berang, or the god of hearth, etc. They believe in soul, ghosts and spirits. Their dhamis and jhakris or shamans are called Ojha. They have immense loyalty/allegiance towards such Ojhas. The community leaders of Dhimals are called Majhi, who officiates the settlement of disputes within the community. This practice is almost non-existent there today.
They bury their dead like other Kirant people. Farming is their specialization. Dhimal women are
famous for their traditional skills of weaving. Marriage can be conducted in any one way, ie by elopement, request or persuasion. Their population in Nepal according to the 2001 census was 19,539 while according to the 2001 Indian census, the Dhimal is one of the smallest tribes in India, totaling a number of approximately 981 people who continue to speak their native Dhimal language. They reside at Mallbari near Siliguri, West Bengal.