बादी/वादी | |
---|---|
Regions with significant populations | |
Nepal | 38,603 (0.1% of Nepal's population)[1] |
Languages | |
Nepali language (Khas kura) | |
Religion | |
Hinduism 95.95% (2011), Christianity 3.22% (2011)[2] | |
Related ethnic groups | |
Licchavi, Khas people, Damai, Sarki, Kami, Gandarbha/Gaine |
Badi (Nepali: बादी) is a Hill Dalit community in Nepal. The 1854 Nepalese Muluki Ain (Legal Code) categorized Badi as "Impure and Untouchable (Pani Na Chalne)" category.[3] Badi are categorized under "Hill Dalit" among the 9 broad social groups, along with Damai, Sarki, Kami and Gaine by the Government of Nepal.[1] 'Badi' means Vadyabadak, one who plays musical instruments, in Sanskrit. Sometimes called untouchables among the untouchables, they support their impoverished families through daily wages and fishing, woodcutting and making musical instruments.
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.[4] 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,[5] and on 28 May 2008, it was declared a republic,[6] ending it as the Hindu kingdom with its caste-based discriminations and the untouchability roots.[7]