Sarki (ethnic group)

For other uses, see Sarki (disambiguation).

Sarki
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

Sarki/Mijar (Nepali: सार्की) is an indigenous people in Nepal.[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]

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]

  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).