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Wikipedia

Rai people

The Rai are an ethnolinguistic group belonging to the Kirat family and primarily Tibeto-Burman linguistic ethnicity.[9] They mainly reside in the eastern parts of Nepal, the Indian states of Sikkim, West Bengal (predominantly Darjeeling and Kalimpong Hills) and in south western Bhutan.[10][11]

Rāi
राई
Nakchhong a tribal priest or Sakela ritual worship specialist of Rai community
Total population
c. 1.2 million
 •    Nepal 690,989(2011),[1]

 •  India 500,000(above)[2][3]

 •  Bhutan 17,500[4]
Regions with significant populations
 • Nepal: Province No. 1 and smaller numbering in Bagmati Province and Madhesh Province
 • India: West Bengal : predominantly Darjeeling, Kalimpong districts 250,000 (2011)[5]
and Dooars,
Sikkim:77,954 (2006),[6]
Assam and other Northeastern States,
Bihar: few villages of Supaul and Madhepura subdivisions[7]
 • Bhutan: mainly Southern and Western region
Languages
Religion
64.4% Kiratism or (Nature and Ancestor Worship)
27.5% Hinduism, 5.3%Christianity(2011) [8]
Related ethnic groups
Rai women in Sakela/Ubhauli festival Tundikhel,Kathmandu, Nepal
Mangpa or Bijuwa tribal (Shaman) priest of Rai Community in Mangkhim, Aritar, Sikkim

The Rais are a set of groups, one of the cultivating tribes of Nepal. They inhabited the area between the Dudh Koshi and Tamur River in Nepal. They claim that their country alone is called (Kiratdesh), and they call themselves Rai. In modern times, they have spread over Nepal, Sikkim and West Bengal.[12] Rai are also known as "Jimdar" and in some places as "Khambu." "Jim" means "land" because they cultivated "Jim" or land, the Rais return cultivation as their traditional occupation. H. H Risley treats the Rais and Jimdar the as synonymous with the Khambus, but most of the Rais nowadays do admit Khambu and Jimdar to be synonymous terms connoting the same ethnic group. Rais are one of the dominant tribes of the Kirati group; they are a fighting tribe of Nepal. They are popularly believed to have offered a stiff resistance to the invasion of the Gorkhas.[13] Kiranti Rais are hill tribes who once possessed considerable power and territory, but were speedily reduced to submission by Prithvi Narayan Shah after his conquest of Nepal.[14] Kirati rule in eastern hills of Nepal ended after the conquest of Gorkha Kingdom in 1772–1773.[15]

Geographical distribution

Nepal

Numbering about 750,000, the Rai people mainly inhabit eastern part of Nepal. Linguists have identified up to 28 different Rai languages, most of them mutually unintelligible.[16]

 
Distribution territory of different Rai Linguistic groups in Eastern Nepal Province No. 1 districts include:Khotang, Bhojpur, Solukhambu, Dhankuta, Sankhuwasabha, Udaypur, Okhaldhunga, Ilam and Panchthar District .

According to Nepal's 2011 census, there are 620,004 Rai in Nepal which represents 2.3% of the country's total population. Rais are major ethnic group by number in the Districts of Khotang (36.6%), Bhojpur (32.0%), Ilam (23.8%), Dhankuta (19.7%), Solukhumbu (19.6%), Udayapur (17.3%), Panchthar (13.8%), Sankhuwasabha (10.3%), Okhaldhunga (9.9%) and Morang (5.0%).[17] They also live in Jhapa, Sunsari and Makawanpur districts.

India, Bhutan and other countries

Rais are predominates in the Indian State of Sikkim, Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Kurseong, Mirik and Dooars of West Bengal.[18] Rai is the single largest ethnic community in Sikkim.[19] Rai population is mostly found in south, west and east of Sikkim.[20] with large number of Rais also living in Assam and other northeastern states, the Kingdom of Bhutan and some have recently migrated to the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, the United States and other countries.

History

Mythology of Rai People

Rais tradition relates that the first of the ancestral Kirati entered Nepal's eastern hills through the Barahachhetra gorge of the, Kosi valley the natural gateway into the region through the Mahabharat Range, which separates the hilly hinterland from the plains.[21][22] According to the Mundum, oral history Kirati ancestors came out of the "Khuwalung" Then followed the small river or the Saptakoshi. They journeyed through the Arun, Dudh Koshi , Sun Koshi, Tama Koshi and finally settled down in the Bhote Koshi valley.[23][24]

 
 
Taandhunga(Weaving Stone) In Tuwachung Jayajum Historical Piligrame site of (Kirati-Rai people) Khotang District Eastern Nepal

According to the myths of Kirati-Rai People "Tayama" (elder sister) "Khiyama" (younger sister) and "Raichhakule"( Tayama and Khimaya's younger brother) are supposed to be the primeval ancestors of the Kirati-Rai's Civilization. The sisters are believed to have lived in "Tuwachung" whereas the brother in the cave of Halesi . Tayama and Khiyama were skillful in weaving the looms. They are regarded as the pioneers of textile. Tayama is recognized by the names like;Khew,Toyama,Toma,Tayama,Tangwama,Jauma,Jaumo,Dawa,Kakcha, and accordingly Khiyama is also called by Khema,Khiwama,Khliuma,Khlemo,Khewa,Khauma,Los in distinct Kiranti languages. Raichhakule (younger brother of Tayama and Khimaya's) also known as Hetchhakuppa,Hetchhakuwa,Khokchilipa,Khakchhilip etc. he is considered to be the beginner of the agricultural era in the cultural history of Kirati- Rai People.[25][26][27][28][29]

 
Salpa Pokhari(Pond) and Sillichung Mountain in Bhojpur District Eastern Nepal

Salpa Pokhari is believed the origin of Kirati(Rais)ancestors. Salpa Pokhori is the centre of cultural believe for Kirati Rais and is related to the myth of "Salpa" and "Ribrima"(Salpa King and Queen). so Kirati-Rais believed to be born from these ancestors,Salpa and Ribrima. Salpa Pokhori is very significant and popular among Kirati Rais from cultural and religious view according to the Kirati Rai's myth, this place is the origin of the Kirati-Rai people. The Sillichung Mountain known as the prime tribute is supposed to be the origin of "Mundum" according to the Kirati myth.[30][31][32]

Kirat Dynasty in Kathmandu Valley

Nepal enters into real historical era with the conquest of Kathmandu Valley by the Kiratis. The Kiratis are said to have been the aborigines inhabiting Eastern Nepal and having their own administrative set-up. Under the able leadership of their chieftain "Yalung" or Yalambar the Kiratis defeated Bhuwan Singh; the last king in the Ahir Dynasty and brought the Kathmandu valley under their sway.[33] From various sources mentioning Long period altogether 29 to 32 Kirati kings who had ruled over Nepal 1225 years from 800 BCE to 300 AD. Gopal genealogy mentions 32 Kirati Kings to have ruled over Nepal different genealogies have found to be stating different names of last Kirati King. The Lichhavi monarchical dynasty was established in Nepal by defeating last Kirati King 'Khigu', according to Gopal genealogy, 'Galiz' according to language-genealogy and ‘Gasti’, according to Wright genealogy. Chyasal is the place of final battlefield for Kiratis and Lichhavis. About 250 A.D. Kirati rule end in Kathmandu Valley and Kiratis moved towards east.[34] Various ancient historical,archeological sites related to history of Kiratis and Kirati period in Kathmandu Valley like Chyasal, Patan Durbar, Patuk Don, Gokarna, Thankot, Birupakshya, Lalitpur, Akash Bhairav etc.[35]

Kirat Kingdom in the east

According to historians the Lichhavis got victory only over Kathmandu. in other parts of the eastern country Kirati rule is still maintained. After the defeated Kiratis by Lichhavis in Kathmandu valley the Kiratis moved gradually east wards ruling in the small territories. In the process of expansion Kiratis extended from Banepa, Dulikhel, Sindupalchok, Darawardanda, Dolakha, Charikot to Kiratichap.[36] Kiratis built a fort in Kiratichap and started to rule again still many evidences of Kiratis ancient ruins graveyard can be found in Dolakha,Sindupalchok region like "Kirat Thursa" in Jiri "Kiratichap" in Dolakha.[37][38] according to various folklore and oral history Lichhavi attacked again Kiratis in Dolakha and chased away. In Pursuit of the fertile land some kiratis followed Sunkoshi river they become Sunuwar. others who followed the Tamakoshi, Dudhkoshi, Arun and Tamur rivers they become today's Rai, Yakkha, Sunuwar and Limbu . After settling down in different areas Kiratis made their appropriate 'Kipat,' 'the area,' and again in the mountain region eastern hills Kiratis ruled over for centuries. in course of time due to the geo-political division three Kirati states were created as Wallo Kirat(Near Kirat), Majh Kirat (Middle Kirat) and Pallo Kirat or (Far east Kirat).[39]

Gorkhali conquest in Kirat country

Around 1743 AD King Prithvi Narayan Shah of Gorkha started to Unification of Nepal campaign, conquering many small states Gorkhalis also started to attacked in the Kirat Region.[40] according to historians, before the unification of Nepal by Prithvivinaryan Shah from Banepa to Trishuli River and around Teesta River known as Kiratdesh the territory of Kiratis. Looking at the evidence of the time when Prithvinarayan Shah expanded the Gorkha kingdom, Dolakha, Ramechhap and Sindhuli fall in Wallo Kirat and the part from Sunkoshi to upper Arun river falls in Manjh Kirat . The area from Upper Arun Arun river to East Teesta River falls within Pallo Kirat . when Prithvi Narayan Shah invaded the Dhulikhel border area of (Wallo Kirat) in 1768 AD, that time the Kirat King of Dhulikhel Chaukhat Mahindra Sing Rai and his brother Namsing Rai strongly resisted and fought valiantly with Prithivinarayan shah's huge army for a very long time.[41][42] King Prithvi Narayan Shah had deployed Sardar Ram Krishna Kunwar to the invasion of Kirant regional areas comprising; Pallo Kirant, Wallo Kirant and Majh Kirant. There are many kings and chiftens and forts under Wallo Kirat and Majh Kirat area. It is mentioned in the book "Mechi to Mahakali" Part-1 eight thums forts of (Wallo Kirat) Okhaldhunga, namely Bungnam, Taluwa, Chyanam, Solu, Tilpung, Chisankhu, Chuplu and Chauras.[43] other forts in Majh Kirat are Hatuwa, Chawdandi, Mukali, Halesi, Khotehang, Kulum, Majhuwa, Khamtel, Pamakham, Rawa and Kepilas one by one, the Gorkhalis conquered all these forts in Wallo and Majh Kirat.

At the time when Prithivi Narayan Shah conquered the Kirat region. In this historical period, Waling Hang was the king in Hatuwā Gaḍhi(Majh Kirat) in across the Arun River. The kings of Hatuwa extended their rule over part of Khalsa. The Khalsa territory present day Ankhisalla, Dhankuta District ruled by King Budhahang. Budhahang disappeared when Prithivi Narayan Shah attacked him. During the war with the Shah king, he could revive all the dead Kirati warriors who were killed using his devine powers.[44] On 29 August 1772, Ram Krishna Kanwar crossed Dudhkoshi river enter Chaudandi to invade of Kirant and Saptari region with fellow commander Abhiman Singh Basnyat.

Khambu Kirati Youths who were skilled archers, stemmed the advance of the Gorkhali troops at every step with their arrows. they inflicted heavy losses on the Gorkhalis, so that Prithivinarayan Shah had to send reinforcement sounder the commend of Subedar Shiva Narayan Khatri. Chatim Rai of Rawa Khola and Atal Rai of Pamakham were two principal Khambus Kirati ultimately proved ineffective before, the bows and arrows of the Gorkhalis. within a period of 5 months the Gorkhalis occupied Rawa, Halesi, Majuwa,Kulum and Dingla thus conquering the hole of Majh Kirat.[45]

Culture

Rai Community has its own traditional culture and rituals. all Rai people practice same rituals of life from birth to death. but there are some variation in rites and rituals in Rai communities living in different places.

 
Rai People doing ancestral ritual at “Suptulung” Suptulung is a sacred place where all the Life Cycle cultural ritual activities of Rai community perform

Marriage system

Marriage in Rai group is not merely a biological and psychological relation between the couple, but essentially considered a social phenomenon that must be approved by the society. Unless the society gives recognition to the couples, they find their marital relation insecure. After the marriage, the woman's clan is not changed, though she stays with her husband; but her children follow the clan of her husband. Both the practices of monogamy and polygamy are found among Rais; but the system of polygamy is gradually declinging.

Some important types of marriage found among Rais are :

a) Chori Biha (Theft Marriage): It is called Chori Biha by Rais. If a man takes a woman away from her home secretly without informing her parents, it is called ‘theft marriage’. This sort of marriage is a bit different from 'love marriage', in that the man and woman may not have developed personal relationship for a long time, which is found in love marriage. The man may like the woman all of a sudden, which the woman may not be noticing. All of a sudden, the man expresses his wish to marry her when he meets her on some occasion or gathering – like in the fairs and marketplace. In such a case, if some of her relatives or close friends encourage her to elope with the man, she may be convinced and becomes ready to go with him.

Nowadays theft marriage is gradually being replaced by 'love marriage', in which the concerned boy and girl spend some time to know each other without the influence or intervention of anybody; then they can either decide to marry, just maintain their friendship or discontinue it, depending on how far the two parties like or dislike each other.

b) Zari Biha (Marriage by paying penalty): Taking the wife of another man away in her consent for the purpose of marriage is called Zari Biha in Rai community. In such a case, a certain amount of cash is paid as a penalty by the woman's new husband to the earlier one.

c) Senzi Zari Biha (Widow marriage): In Rai community, there is not any social prohibition for the widows to marry. A widow or widower is allowed to get married, though it is not a compulsion. In this marriage, a certain penalty is paid to the widow's father-in-law or the senior family member, as a compensation for losing a member of the family.

d) Magi Biha (Arranged Marriage): Arrange marriage is performed with the mutual understanding and arrangements of both the families – the boy's side and the girl's side. It is called Magi Biha. In this marriage, the consent of the girl, the forthcoming bride, is a must.[46][47]

Death ritual

In Rai community death is distinguished between the natural death and unnatural death in their rites of the passage as well. In the case of natural death, the body is either buried or cremated, upon the wish of the dead person. But the body must be buried in the case of unnatural death. There are many formalities in the death ritual if it is the natural death; but such formalities are less in the case of unnatural death, since it is believed that such a death turns the person into evil.

If a baby dies before the growth of his/her tooth, the funeral rite observed is very simply. Such a death is considered a bad omen and categorized under unnatural death. The pollution and purification rituals are completed on the same day in such cases

If a pregnant woman dies, her lower abdomen is bisected with a bamboo knife and the child is removed from her body. The mother and the child are buried at different burial sites according to the ritual of unnatural death. The pollution and purification ritual is completed on the same day. In the case of natural death, complete funeral rite is observed; and pollution and purification rituals are strictly followed. among Rai community a salt eating and oil drinking ceremony is performed three days after the death. On the ninth and tenth days, a Shaman performs a merit making ceremony for the deceased. This ritual is done to put the deceased soul to a rest; otherwise, it is believed that the deceased person's spirit will bring harm to the family.[48]

Family and kinship

Rais have the practice of living in both the nuclear and joint families. In the nuclear family, there are two generations of people, whereas a joint family has three or more generations living together by sharing the same house and kitchen. Normally the son does not get separated immediately after his marriage. But after the marriage of his younger brother, he may wish to live separately. At the time of separation, the parental property is divided equally between the parents and sons.

Mainly three forms of kinship are found among Rais: i) kinship by blood; e.g. brother and sister, ii) kinship by marriage; e.g. father-in-law, sister-in-law, etc., iii) kinship by social relation; e.g. Miteri (friendship bond established after a special ritual) relation.

Kinship behaviour varies according to the status of the kin. Some relatives are more respectable than others, while some are in 'joking relation'. For instance, father, mother, uncle and aunt are respectable, but solti-soltinee, sali-bhena, are all in joking relation. In Rai community, son-in-law and daughter-in-law are treated equally as the son or daughter of the family.

Gender issues and decision-making procedure

Men and women having equal status in the family and community, there is almost no gender discrimination in Rai society. Although man is usually the head of the family, woman's role is equally important in planning and decision making on domestic matters. The husband decides almost nothing in absence of his wife. They generally discuss to plan the daily activities collectively in the family after dinner; and decision is made thereupon.

After a year of the death of her husband, a widow can wear her casual dresses. There is no restriction for the widow or widower regarding their clothing. They also have the freedom for remarriage; but whether to marry or not depends entirely on the widow's or widower's wish. An unmarried adult woman possesses very strong role in the family. She is heard by all.

Male and female members of family share their labour in all sorts of activities. However, a few cases are exceptions; e.g. cooking meals, which is mostly considered the responsibility of women. But when women are very busy, men take the responsibility of cooking as well. Similarly, though ploughing the field is generally considered the work of men, unmarried girls are also found involved in it to support men in their work.

Attire and ornaments

Women

Rai women used to weave homespun cloth from the khadi, cotton, wool and allo nettle plant.[49][50][51]

 
Weaving painting of Rai women

Rai women's garments are:

  • shawl (mujetro, burkey, tangdoma)
  • blouse (cholo, yamlung)
  • sari (guniu, tamphay)
  • mekl
  • waist bands hawl (hembari)
  • waist sash (patuki chhakchhima).

Accessories:

  • Every Rai-Kirati lady used to keep a khurpi (a small carved knife)
  • pig hair round brush (kuchi)
  • musical instrument (binayo or dong)
  • (Marchunga Dotengwa)
  • hair band (lachha, tangkhi)

Women weave their own clothes on a tan, a wooden weaving machine, from cotton, wool and fibres made from the bark of stinging nettle (sisnu, ganam).

 
Head ornaments of Rai women antique Wooden Mask wood Art Nepal
  • Sirful, शिरफुल
  • Dhungri-Bulaki, ढुंग्री-बुलाकी
  • Chepteysun, चेप्टेसुन
  • Chandrahaar, चन्द्रहार
  • Naugedi, नौगेढी़
  • Renji Hari, रेजी/पैसाको हारी
  • Kalli,चाँदीको कल्ली
  • Balla, चाँदीको बाला,ठेका चुरा
  • Godawari, गोदावरी
  • Tariwoon, तारीवान्
  • Puwalo Mala, पुवालो माला
  • Jantar, जन्तर
  • Hansuli, हसुली
  • Dhajura-Pechuri, धजुरा-पेचुरी

Men

Rai men wear Wachinari Mala (Dzi bead), Potlung (Puwalo Mala) garland, and animal tooth necklaces. Male dress comprises headgear (feta; pagari; sayabung); Betebung shirt (dawm; lockchham); pant (suruwal; langsup); sleeveless coat made of stinging nettle plant fiber (chhakchha; fenga); waistband (narimokty); (patuki, chakchhinma), a large knife (khukuri, dabhay).[52]

Religion

Rais have been following Kirat religion since the ancient times. Kirat religion is based on animistic nature and ancestor worship. Rais do not believe in heaven or hell. There is no religious hierarchy. Kirati-Rais engages Nakchong,Mangpa,Bijuwa, Nakso their tribal shamans in their religious rites. During the course of their recent history the Rais has increasingly borrowed elements from the major religions they have had contact with from Lamaist Buddhism or another cases Nepalese Hinduism without however renouncing their own tribal traditions.[53]

Suptulung: Places of sacred worship

 
Suptulung/Samkhalung:Teen Chula Dhunga, the three hearthmade stone sacred worship place of the Rai People

Teen Chula or Chula Dhunga "The three hearth made stones" called Dayahulung or Suptulung is the central part all the rituals or rites of Rais practised from birth to death are done in this Teen Chula 'Suptulung' The major deity of all Rais is 'Teen chula(Suptulung) The three hearthmade stoned oven' of the house. "The Term Lu or Lung refers to the stone and thus the suffix like lu or lung is found in most of the names of the oven in house eg; Taplelung, Suptulung, Mayalung, Ghewalung etc. Almost every thing from the right beginning of birth 'cradle to the tomb' is performed on the sacred teen chula without Teen Chula no rituals can be done.in Rai culture Teen Chula is the gate-way to enter in the real and practical day to day life.[54] There is (Suptulung)'Teen Chula'in every house of Rais. It is buried on one side of the inner corner of the house. It said that "Dash Rai Dash Bhasa Ek Chula" "There is Same Teen Chula of all ten diversified Rais" it is believed that in the beginning there is only Ten 'Thars' of Rais but later Rais are divide into many 'thars' sub-group Teen Chula(Suptulung) is the Tribal identity of Rais and its a symbol of unity of different diviersified Kirati-Rais in one ethnic family.[55] Teen Chula(Suptulung)also known as Samkhalung in bantawa Rai dialect The word "Samkha" means ancestors and "Lung" means stones. Samkhalung the three main stones,

  1. Papalung: symbolizing male ancestors,
  2. Mamalung: symbolizing female ancestors, and
  3. Ramilung: symbolizing societal spiritual energies.

The Teen Chula are considered by the Rais to be their most important shrines Teen Chula is sacred place after death where the departed souls ancestors of the Rais live in this place. Teen Chula philosophy (three knowledge perspectives) as the distinctive original identity of Rais.[56]

Folk gods and goddesses

Kirati-Rais are basically animist they worship various Household deity and Nature deities.

 
Sumnima and Paruhang as the archetypal proto female and proto male Kirati-Rai's supreme deity is Sumnima-Paruhang. Sumnima is a female goddess which is believed to be the Mother Earth (Mother Nature) and Paruhang is a male god also known as the king Sky God.

Kirati-Rais worship as ancestral god and goddess to Sumnima and Paruhang .Sumnima also known as 'Hengkhamma' the Mother Earth and Paruhang also known as 'Ninamma' Father the Sky god. The Sumnima is the supreme female God, wife of the Paruhang She represents the earth and ancestral mother. Paruhang is the supreme male God, husband of the Sumnima, lords of flowers. Sumnima-Paruhang are the deities of creator, preserver and sustainer god and goddess of the Rais. Hence it is not appropriate to equate these venerated god and goddess with the Shiva(a destroyer god of Hinduism) and Parvati(concert of Shiva),as it is often equated in Rais literature these days this is simply Hinduisation of the lesser-known Rais believe System.[57][58][59]

Rai shamanism

 
Rai Shaman Eastern Nepal

Rai shamanism comprises a plurality of shamanic traditions, varied but closely related, like the Rai groups themselves. The Rai in East Nepal consist of numerous subtribes, and even though they speak different languages and have their own distinct traditions, they all share a common linguistic and cultural heritage. Together with Limbu (the language of a related group residing farther to the east, also in Sikkim and Darjeeling), the Kirati-Rai languages belong to the Kiranti family, which is a subgroup of Tibeto-Burman. Culturally the Rai have been influenced by both Hinduism and Tibetan Buddhism, but these influences have only marginally affected their ancestral traditions, in which shamanic features still figure prominently.[60]

The Mundum

The "mundum" is the oral tradition among the Rais and it is also a long-standing, and ancient, though not unchanging, ritual practice. Mundum is also addressed as "Ridum" "Muddum" or "Pelam". Iiterally, "Muna" means "Man" and "dum" means talk" which can be said speaking of man or oral talking as a hole the mundum is an oral tradition. so, it may differ in place to place. The term mundum is generally pronounced as mundhum by Nepali speakers. Many researchers have documented the term mundhum in their research. The /dh/ sound in mundhum is not found in many Kirati languages. If it is found in other Kirati languages, it often is a loan sound. The term mundhum thus might be of Nepali influence. So, the native term is "mundum”. In this case, the term mundum changes into the mundhum because the alveolar is changed into the dental aspirated /dh/ because it might be the influence of the Nepali language.[61] Although, the concept is the same, the term mundum has different variants among different subgroups of Rai. Gaenszle (2002: 40–42), who has done pioneering work in the field of Kirati ritual, has extensively studied about it and collected different terms, which are as follows:

Tribes and clans

 
Rais- lineage system

Rais have distinct cultural tradition. The community is divided into different subtribes called "Thar" all have their own distinctive language or dialect this division of Rais into various subtribes allows for the minor alterations in the ritualistic practices while the essence of the traditions remains homogeneous largely. within the "Thar" there are clan division called "Pacha". clans are exogamous. There is further classification within the Pacha known as "Samet". Samet traces the relationship of a person to his/her ancestor. Pacha and Samet is main ritual identity of Rais, which is compulsory needed in every ritual performance.[63][64]

Sub-groups or linguistic groups of Rais

  • Bantawa[65]
  • Chamling
  • Kulung
  • Mewahang
  • Bahing
  • Lohorung
  • Puma
  • Dewan/Yakkha
  • Dumi
  • Dungmali
  • Nachhiring
  • Lingkhim/Lungkhim
  • Chhiling/Chhulung
  • Mugali/Lambichong
 
  • Athpahariya
  • Thulung
  • Khaling
  • Newahang
  • Bayung
  • Yamphu
  • Tilung
  • Sampang
  • Wambule
  • Dewas
  • Jerung/Jero
  • Waling
  • Phangduwali

(Pacha): Clans of different Rai sub-groups

  • Athpahariya Rai (Pacha) Clans:[66][67]
      • Mangbung
      • Pangsung
      • Hombarak
      • Chhara
      • Fhokim
      • Khawadup
      • Chhitlinge
      • Kimdang
      • Chhongden
      • Charingme
      • Roduwa
      • Lengsuwa[68]
  • Bantawa Rai (Pacha) Clans:
      • Suptihang
      • Rongchong Hangkhim
      • Walung Hangkhim
      • Subi Hangkhim
      • Lipchu Hangkhim
      • Dungrang Hangkhim
      • Samsong Hangkhim
      • Nira Hangkhim
      • Sorong
      • Suprong
      • Rongchhawa
      • Rangrisa
      • Rungmahang
      • Rupabung
      • Ruchhenbung
      • Tangluwa
      • Luhun
      • Aawai
      • Mukarung
      • Yupachha
      • Hangbung
      • Essara
      • Bhongla Essara
      • Chaudara Essara
      • Dawa Essara
      • Dharana Essara
      • Kamdung Makara
      • Duppden Makara
      • Rangsaakkwamakara
      • Lakkwahang Makara
      • Tarakhuk Makara
      • Walihang
      • Chhopkkhng
      • Waling
      • Lengmuk
      • Nikhunnta
      • Longgakha
      • Alihara
      • Gawrung
      • Sohonnwa
      • Khammwen
      • Sangsung Essara
      • Soyong
      • Srihang
      • Walung
      • Yakkduhang
      • Khahong
      • Khayakhahong
      • Rangmi
      • Namrangwok
      • Haddem
      • Radhung
      • Gaamure
      • Mangpahang
      • Mangfang
      • Dhichangcha
      • Waredowa
      • Succhha
      • Tangluwa
      • Ninamthali
      • Mukarung
      • Khomyungkha
      • Rachhenbung
      • Pittring
      • Kangmang
      • Chhentong
      • Payaon
      • Waanu
      • Hongchhen
      • Khimdung
      • Dikukkpa
      • Ratthangkha
      • Yangma
      • Waralung
      • Sonahang
      • Rangchhihang
      • Kamdung
      • Khamle
      • Khumsang
      • Khasngchha
      • Khokungkha
      • Gawra
      • Chhamalung
      • Tammla
      • Taarung
      • Chopkhang
      • Chwrase
      • Chhichhangchha
      • Tukkchha
      • Tenkum
      • Tale
      • Taleme
      • Taila
      • Deyama
      • Tenchipa
      • Duppdenghang
      • Dhiwatpang
      • Nakkchhong
      • Pawen
      • Puwaai
      • Waachhana
      • Baartang
      • Baardewa
      • Butang
      • Mutel
      • Makkrihang
      • Yahasam
      • Makme
      • Mulahang
      • Mangkuk
      • Thuppchhang
      • Yongchhen
      • Dewahang
      • Aawai
      • Dissimmbung
      • Lulahang
      • Leknadu
      • Pakmang
      • Siptungkha
      • Samsuyan
      • Saallen
      • Siwahang
      • Soyong
      • Hangwang
      • Suppting
      • Chhitpahang
      • Mannduppa
      • Fulahang
      • Hangsung
      • Khimbu
      • Dilungcha
      • Murmahang
      • Bungchhihang
      • Moni
      • Maya
      • Subajra
      • Sakkten
      • Hangdung
      • Kangmang
      • Khamlo
      • Khamto
      • Samsohang
      • Rarahang
      • Muksu
      • Khimbule
      • Kheshang[69]
  • Bahing/Bayung Rai (Pacha) Clans:
      • Sechocha
      • Lutimi
      • Piyacha
      • Tarkasya
      • Tolocha
      • Kharadibuchra
      • Chyaskucha
      • Diwuricha
      • Nomwesra
      • Dungmocha
      • Chytoppa
      • Hojupacha
      • Mosracha
      • Thamrocha
      • Howdullcha
      • Mupucha
      • Kharayellcha
      • Ripocha
      • Kharullcha
      • Rallocha
      • Namysracha
      • Prongmocha
      • Yumbucha
      • Chyemcha
      • Rakycha
      • Mopplocha
      • Tangdocha
      • Tolocha
  • Chamling Rai (Pacha) Clans:
      • Humdingchha
      • Yalungchha
      • Lipohochha/Lipungchha
      • Ninambongchha
      • Ranahochha
      • Saidachha
      • Salebrichha
      • Potokhamchha, Kheresungchha
      • Pitrungchha
      • Bolemchha
      • Sotrochha
      • Kuwasungchha
      • Kholapachha
      • Homyungchha
      • Walemrungchha
      • Yatimchha
      • Robohuchha
      • Dobalichha
      • Chandachha
      • Siyalungchha
      • Dungbohochha
      • Sorohachha
      • Wabhachha
      • Poteprungchha
      • Puruwachha
      • Damdihachha
      • Robohochha
      • Silohochha
      • Mayarajachha
      • Birachha
      • Bumakhamchha
      • Chipanamchha
      • Hopprachha
      • Nagasachha
      • Handiwachha
      • Rosingchha
      • Wasungchha
      • Meretipachha
      • Khadaichha
      • Luicheichha
      • Khinpachha
      • Dibuchha
      • Nambiwachha
      • Buwaipachha
      • Khalungchha
      • Habungchha
      • Lumbohong
      • Potokhamchha
      • Lafeyongchha
      • Dikalichha
      • Plamhachha
      • Seralungchha
      • Romrochha
      • Homihachha
      • Rasungchha
      • Huruchha
      • Mitapaichha
      • Mukarachha
      • Ingchhorochha
      • Bhusununamchha
      • Dilapachha
      • Hondaichha
      • Miksipachha
      • Ranarungchha
      • Rungritimchha
      • Boingchha Chuidachha
      • Hondarichha
      • Ninochha
      • Rakhimihachha
      • Munsinchha
      • Purumichha
      • Busurichha
      • Patisungchha
      • Ninamrungchha
      • Rodolechha
      • Runchimichha
      • Koimingchha
      • Thaparaichha
      • Harasungchha
      • Saterungchha
      • Senamchha
      • Homdimchha
      • Chhulapachha
      • Huilungchga
      • Badachha
      • Sapsanmchha
      • Nenungchha
      • Kerumungchha
      • Mansungchha
      • Malekungchha
      • Mompolangchha
      • Nambuchapachha
      • Purimchha
      • Pogumsonchha
      • Ringalungchha
      • Yongchhenchha
      • Howabungchha
      • Maidungchha
      • Mukumarachha
      • Munglohachha
      • Yunglingchha
      • Valingrachha
      • Prorungchha
      • Palangmochha
      • Hopechungchha
      • Dibuchha
      • Homichha
      • Handyungchha
      • Busuriamchha
      • Dahingchha
      • Dalahachha
      • Birahachha
      • Namrachha
      • Karkungchha
      • Laphengchha
      • Butepachha
      • Phlomochha
      • Chhupanamchha
      • Phakerungchha
      • Yinchharachha
      • Simhanchha[70]
  • Chhiling/Chhulng Rai (Pacha) Clans:
      • Ganchu
      • Phangphu
      • Longawa
      • Chhongkha
      • Rajbangsi
  • Chhintang Rai (Pacha) Clans:
      • Naika
      • Tele
      • Dalahang
      • Sampang
  • Dewan (Dewan/Yakkha Rai Clan) :-

Although they are small in number, Dewan is also considered as one of the sub castes of Rai. In Darjeeling district and Sikkim of India, Dewan is commonly used as a synonym of Yakkha.

  • Dumi Rai (Pacha)); Clans:
      • Khabachu
      • Dimmchu
      • Waalakkpa
      • Raichu
      • Ripplachu
      • Khaaruwu
      • Rankasu
      • Rattku
      • Muroha
      • Sarchu
      • Turachu
      • Haamruchu
      • Jipuchu
      • Walappu
      • Sattma
      • Thurrchu
      • Chhachung
      • Halakksu
      • Hajurchhu
      • Luppo
      • Hadi
  • Dungmali Rai (Pacha) Clans:
      • Hangbang
      • Pungwat
      • Pawen
      • Chokhang
      • Salukathenwa
      • Changchha
      • Tumcha
  • Dewas Rai (Pacha) Clans:
      • Dadagoaunle
      • Ghhiganpure
      • Sihapali
      • Gardkhare
      • Bhimtare
      • Dautinge
      • Baghgaounle
      • Manndane
      • Gogitare
      • Pippaltare
      • Paltare
      • Simaltare
      • Bhangtare[71]
  • Jero/Jerung Rai (Pacha) Clans:
      • Tolupe
      • Sutrap Rake
      • Suryabangshi Rake
  • Kulung Rai (Pacha) Clans:
      • Hongelu
      • Chhamniw
      • Morokhu
      • Thorempa
      • Harimmbu
      • Tongwru
      • Ronggenda
      • Hochharaow
      • Fhanelu
      • Gannkhu
      • Gajiwu
      • Sommfuru
      • Wokkho
      • Thhimmra
      • Mayati
      • Rinnho
      • Pidimus
      • Ngopocha
      • Rajiwu
      • Choyocho
      • Tomocho
      • Goduho
      • Matimmbu
      • Torngo
      • Rapykhu
      • Manthayrwu
      • Chhendiwu
      • Pidisai
      • Walakham
      • Wadiri
      • Pokhoti
      • Chhappkoti
      • Chhapdulu
      • Ninam
      • Laowti
      • Honiti
      • Hindukhu
      • Thomros
      • Tomochha
      • Torngo
      • Chhenho
      • Holimmbu[72]
  • Khaling Rai (Pacha) Clans:
      • Karsang
      • Karbhag
      • Tepptha
      • Byollyoru
      • Kimllyamm
      • Aayau
      • Hangkhrwaap
      • Dutam~Dusa
      • Runa
      • Wyaisng
      • Thula
      • Mullku
      • Halokksu~Mahaikamm
      • Radda
      • Hallachyo
      • Mmyullusng
      • Rajallyu
      • Byarlu
      • Hassi
      • Pyalru
      • Kyurittyass
      • Ngme
      • Chhyalos
      • Jyubu
      • Mapya
      • Dikpya
      • Hangkula
      • Salachyo
      • Dorung
      • Gotemmbu
      • Kursang
      • Hangsang
      • Chochimi
      • Khyappchru
      • Jjyummyallu
      • Temmlos
  • Koyee or Koyu Rai (Pacha) Clans:
      • Munchuppa
      • Dhirul
      • Safobo
      • Haduku
      • Temmebi
      • Raipachha
      • Napachha
      • Gawrungpachha
      • Rowachha
      • Kuimichha
  • Lohorung Rai (Pacha) Clans:
      • Khaisong
      • Dekhim
      • Lamsong
      • Chang-kha me
      • Chaba
      • Mikchereng
      • Chaba
      • Ketra
      • Hanglengba
      • Yangkhurung
      • Dakksng
      • Mennawa
      • Lummben
      • Tengsa
      • Khimpu
      • Singlega
      • Yummpang
      • Aanglalammchong
      • Biawa
      • Biksik
      • Dingguwa
      • Seppa
  • Mewahang Rai (Pacha) Clans:
      • Onglung
      • Langchhawa
      • Lummluma
      • Lakkchhawa
      • Yokkchharung
      • Bikksi
      • Chapen
      • Maringo
      • Wachhuhang
      • Temmora
      • Khawahang
      • Lakkfewa
      • Bunglawa
      • Yummpang
      • Kettara
      • Wala Temmora
      • Uttongma
      • Lammdakawa
      • Aayok
      • Langdappa
      • Lennda
      • Longtepppa
      • Walung
      • Langchhong
      • Chhoppchhohang
      • Poyong
      • Rungmi
      • Singlega
      • Thokknam
      • Limmkhim
      • Khawang
      • Sammbewa
      • Dekkchhong
      • Yangdokkchhong
      • Malung
      • Bopptang
  • Nachhiring Rai (Pacha) Clans:
      • Toduwa
      • Hangkhel
      • Happtemalu
      • Pipassko
      • Temmsu
      • Satippa
      • Lammduwa
      • Hareluchha
      • Manthebru
      • Temmdu
      • Hadichi
      • Sigirigo
      • Raseppa
      • Hocherep
      • Homel
      • Ramlai
      • Wademmlu
      • Rammo
      • Ngwachu
      • Nassmi
      • Nachhyopa
      • Thomro
      • Hopoti
      • Rajipo
      • Holati
      • Dewram
      • Mokkthul
      • Rakupo
      • Molltho
      • Dunnte
      • Chemmchimi
      • Chhetoppa
      • Yaatihang
      • Saipo
      • Yoisa
      • Salicham
      • Chhenho
      • Lawati
      • Honiti
      • Kubeti
      • Thomnam
      • Dosim
      • Ribeti
      • Rekkwato
      • Handuku
      • Wireti
      • Guruti
      • Thoppchha
      • Netichhi
  • Puma Rai (Pacha) Clans:
      • Yongduhang
      • Tongmalung
      • Thugrahang
      • Khohong
      • Hadira
      • Methahang
      • Lemmachhit
      • Khirihang
      • Garaja
      • Babihang
      • Hangthangkha
      • Mellongdhong
      • Dumaklung
      • Hennyongchha
  • Phangduwali Rai (Pacha) Clans:
      • Tumchha
      • Yangbang
      • Namek
      • Mangphang
      • Waling
      • Chukkhadang
      • Mangbung
      • Khambu
  • Sampang Rai (Pacha) Clans:
      • Bali
      • Reppsuna
      • Chhetapi
      • Pittrung
      • Bultim, Rangkham
      • Samrungje
      • Samarunng
      • Toriho
      • Torimah
      • Barhamukhi
      • Dammrewa
      • Palung
      • Rayenge
      • Radukhu
      • Hadikhu
      • Sahiduddha
      • Tamangchha
      • Dumangchha
      • Dammrichha
      • Bikachha
      • Nammnuho
      • Essara
      • Bekhum
      • Khaya
      • Bakkchhali
      • Hiradew
      • Holachha
      • Hochmmchha
      • Hirahang
      • Matihang
      • Hangrung
      • Bekkhsung
      • Maremmlung
      • Birang
      • Wasungma
      • Thongrepa
      • Hulubung
      • Bhalu
      • Sampang
      • Rana Sampang[73]
  • Sotang Rai (Pacha) Clans:
      • Ngopocho
      • Hoberme
      • Kubiti
      • Payati
      • Ponkiri
      • Thomnam
      • Rukupo
      • Hiusi
      • Riwti
      • Homula
      • Radaku
      • Holumbu[74]
  • Thulung Rai (Pacha) Clans:
      • Chhesang
      • Hangke
      • Lollmi
      • Rippdo
      • Laaffla
      • Ngarcho
      • Ritimo
      • Langtur
      • Khessta
      • Tammpili
      • Llyaanna
      • Wrikkppa
      • Hassti
      • Seljang
      • Sedara
      • Mangkhu
      • Haupa
      • Raiju
      • Jitemol
      • Sswangje, Ngarchhyo
      • Payachhyo
      • Mukkkha
      • Harul
      • Rajideu
      • Wakkmusi
      • Warti
      • Luchhir
      • Chappturi
      • Llyummba
      • Hadikham
      • Khappchuri
      • Rangchhachyo
      • Ssyarli
      • Ddyamur
      • Radur
      • Tammtar
      • Tolinndi
      • Tuta
      • Wakhe
      • Wakham
      • Chyakksu
      • Chennda
      • Luhai
      • Ssyammrechyo
      • Banari
      • Guricha
      • Hadaillyo
  • Tilung Rai (Pacha) Clans:
      • Mukkchhungchha
      • Raingchha
      • Wayungchha
      • Khalumichha
  • Wambule Rai (Pacha) Clans:
      • Mukkacho
      • Brongkhelcho
      • Luwari
      • Dongkhijjcho
      • Nakksochacho
      • Gawracho
      • Tillpacha
      • Summdicha
      • Fhumlacho
      • Wodommcho
      • Riwuwachha
      • Kkyammpacho
      • Gawrung
      • Jerong
      • Homai
      • Rappdo
      • Dorong
      • Hatacho
      • Bhuwacha
      • Mukhiwa
      • Ravongwa
      • Tarbuja
      • Salllocha
  • Yamphu Rai (Pacha) Clans:
      • Kkyassba Mennaba-Cha
      • Yungsaba Mennaba
      • Khakura
      • Khikhura
      • Khommbuwa
      • Prithirya
      • Tyangsa
      • Miringa
      • Mangbakhim
      • Aala
      • Uling
      • Newahang
      • Seppa
      • Chngkha
      • Thipplung
      • Thukkpana
      • Aenndaba
      • Thengak
      • Tharen
      • Chaba
      • Sibaw
      • kaiseli
      • Soyang
      • Rummbangsa
      • Newa
      • Mingleg
      • Dengseng
      • Ketara
      • Warekhim
      • Mikhuwa
      • Warung
      • Yungba
      • Dadyng
      • Yummpang
      • Khippu
      • Lammsong
      • Lummben
      • Yangkhira
      • Hingguwa
      • Halemmba

Languages

The Rai languages are members of the Sino-Tibetan language family. They belong to the Kiranti group of the Tibeto-Burman languages branch of the Sino-Tibetan family. In the Nepal National Census of 2011, roughly 800,000 respondents declared a Kiranti languages as their "mother tongue". The number of speakers is probably less than this. The Census of India (2001) reported 50,000 speakers of Limbu and Rai in India (most in Sikkim) Linguistic Survey of India n.d.).[75][76]

Festivals

Sakela

Sakela is the main Festival of Kirati Rais. The Rai people call it by different names like Sakenwa, Sakela, Tosh or Toshi, Bhume, Sakel, Wass, Segro, Sakewa, Dhuulu, Phagulak, Gelang, Gayapuja among different linguistic groups. This festival is celebrated twice in a year as ubhauli in full moon day of the Baisakh and udhauli, in full moon day of Mangsir in Kirati Rai villages.

The major philosophy of Sakela is nature worship; importance is placed on paying tribute to ancestors to whom current generations owe their existence.[77] Since Kirati people consider themselves the followers of the nature, they celebrate sakela to worship sky, earth, rivers, and forest on the one hand; they pay tribute towards the deceased members of their family on the other hand.

During sakela, the dance known as silli is performed. Silli varies from village to village in the beating of jhyamta cymbals and dhol. The choreography of silli depicts important daily activities, and explains the traditional origins of agricultural practices such as digging, tilling, weeding and farming cotton. Likewise, the imitation of the birds and animals is also performed in lively silli. Other activities like worshiping the tap and sun are depicted in the sillis and in the spiritual sillis, the ancestors, like "Tayama-Khiyama", hunter, Chasum, Narawa, "Paruhang-Nayuma" are shown in dance.

The Kirati ancestor "Hetchhakuppa" is considered to be the first performer of silli. Around 45 silli are claimed to be in the existence even today.

Nwagi

Nwagi is celebrated during prior to eating the harvested food crops, Kirati-Rais clean the ancestral room(Suptulung) and various New crops are offered to ancestors during Nwagi puja. Nwagi puja also known as (Pirtri puja) Ancestral worship, it is believed that new food crops not be eaten until the Nwagi puja or without offered the ancestors. Nwagi puja is all about offering new food of the year to the ancestors' cook a lot of varieties of food (including alcohol) to offer to the ancestors. this puja perform by priest or elder people (male) of house performs all the rituals. During nwagi celebration also invite family relatives in house. different varieties of foods and alcohol serve to the guests relatives chat with each other and the day ends with the farewell. Kirati Rais call the Nwagi puja by different names and perform it in different ways.[78]

Yele

Yele Sambat also known as "Yaledong" By Rai People Maghe Sankranti also celebrate same day. The Yele Sambat calendar is named after the first Kirat king Yalambar. It is said that this calendar started when the Kirat king Yalambar defeated the Gopal dynasty in the Kathmandu Valley. The Yele Sambat calendar begins on 15 January. This new year day is also celebrated as Maghe Sankranti in Nepal when people eat sweet potato and various kinds of yams and sel roti.[79]

Other festivals

  • Wadangmi Festival: Wadangmi is a Major Festival of Rai Community of Khalsa Region of Dhankuta District "Wadangmi" also known as "Papani" this festival started from Kartik Purnima and continues up to fifteen days .[80]
  • Dhwangkum Festival: "Dhwangkum" is a cultural festival celebrated in the origin place of Wambule Rai. It is also called Dhwangkum. According to the Hindu calendar, Janai Purnima is celebrated on a date. As it usually falls in August, it is also called Bhadau Purnima. Wambule calls this date "Dhwangkum Purne" In Dhwangkumo, Libju Upo (Libju Baje), Bhumju Upo (Bhumju Baje), Dibju Upo (Dibju Baje), Sisi Sikari, Earth(Dharti), Sky(Akash) and the ancestors are worshiped.[81]

Folk songs and dances

Tody in the field of Nepali music, vocal lyrics dance and other arts the Kirati- Rais occupied a large space. Specially Eastern Nepali folk music mostly influence from Rai community.[82]

Folk songs

Rai community has rich cultural rituals. Some are well preserved from the earliest time while some others are dying and some are already dead. The community stores a vast number of chham 'songs' i.e. Rungpuwachham, Hakparechham, Yari/Hiyarichham, Saimachham, Sakelachham, Dolokupmachham, Risiya/risiwa, Hopachham,Juwari,Salmaya,Laibari/Lambari Chham,Radamle etc. which are sung for different purposes on specific occasions.

  • "Hiyari Chham" is a special song that is performed on the occasion of the wedding ceremony in the Rai community. this song is a questions and answer song sung both male and female during wedding occasion. This song is sung in "Sungkhim" a (temporary or new house for guests). it is found that singing is done in some places even when the guests are leaving.[83]
  • "Saima Chham" is a song of birth, life and living and it is sung at work and at the waterpoint etc. Saimachham sung specially by women.[84]
  • "Risiya Chham", Risiwa or Risiya is the shamanic song sung by Nakchong, Mangpa, Bijuwa, Nakso, Risiya chham. It is sung in a rhythmic style performed in many ritual works.
  • "Hopmachham" is a great song based on Kirat Rais scriptural music. Etymologically, it is made up of two words hopma 'drink' and chham 'song': a drinking song or more accurately a song that makes you drunk with its charm. In other words, listening to this song one is drugged and enchanted with its magical properties. In order to sing this song, the knowledge of Kiranti oral tradition (Mundum) is necessary. According to the Kirati Rai belief, not anybody can sing the song even if he knows it; only the person who has gained the knowledge to sing it in his dream and has not learned it, can sing it.
    • a) Starting of the Hopmachham; It is widely believed that hopmachham is a marvelous song. When sung appropriately it could bring rain, light fire, dry green trees, give life to dead trees, attract animals' attention and force them to gather, make one cry, dance or laugh, and make plants and trees obey. For example, in the olden days a Hopmachham singer could make trees tie their tops together and again free them.
    • b) The ways of singing the Hopmachham; Hopmachham can be sung in two ways, viz. as monologue or duet. In a monologuous or "single" singing, the singer recounts the story of God Paruhang and the Goddess Sumnima. Therefore, we can say that hopmachham is a kind of hymn sung by Rai community. This kind of song addresses the history of creation as well as the deeds of Paruhang, the first man, and Sumnima, the first woman, which are today knows as Kiranti rituals. Singing hopmachham, the singer tells the history of origin from pre-historical age up to the present times. Naturally, it takes many days to complete it. General living styles can also be explained by these types of songs. People used to sing single hopmachham at work, on their way back from work and in the evening at home before sleeping time.[85]
  • "Rungpuwachham" is as a branch of hopmachham, in which the singer describes the historical and cultural events as well the description of the bravery of the forefathers. Rungpuwachham is almost extinct these days.
  • "Sakela/Sakenwa Chham" is sung during the Sakela dance in Ubhauli and Udhauli The Rai people express their daily happenings and well wishes via Sakela songs and melodies. This song is performed in medium beat rhythm by dancers wearing traditional attires. Sakela song and dance are very popular in Nepali Culture.
  • "Hakpare Chham" can also be taken as a folk song in Kirant Rai community. This song can be sung anywhere and by anybody and in anytime.hakpare chham is popular folk song specially in Yamphu,Lohorung and Mewahang Rai community[86]
  • "Laibari/Lamwari Chham" is one of the ancient original folk song of the Rais. In Bantawa Rai language "Laam" means Root "Wa"Means Water and "Ri" means Song "life song of rivers and streams".this folk song is an endangered already extinct these days.[87][88]
  • "Ramdale Salang" is one of the most popular folk song sung mostly in Wambule Rai community Madal and Basuri is major instruments used in Ramdale Salang folk song.
  • "Salmaya" is a typical cultural song specially Jerung and Wambule Rai communities performed Salmaya song during Khauma Sama Pujas, ancestor worship ritual.
  • "Ayosa" is popular in the Kirat Rai community. Ayosa is a song sung by a Brothers-Siters or Boys-Girls in a group, in a herd, in a forest or in a marriage. Ayosa songs are especially expressions of life experiences. When modern music was not developed, it was customary to sing Ayosa to the tune of Murchunga, Binayo, Paat(leaf Instrument) and Basuri.

Folk dances

  • "Silli Dance": Silli dances are performed during Udhauli , Ubhauli Sakela Festival Silli dances are different styles and types among the various Rai sub-group. in silli dances the major instruments used Jhyamta and Dhol some Rai group only used Jhyamta in their silli dances. Kulung, Khaling, Thulung, Nachhiring Rais also used animal Horn (Pung Baja) in silli dances.
     
    Traditional Instruments of Silli Dance
    Silli are mostly perform their daily activities that are similar to the activities of the human beings similarly the imitate other activities like worshiping the tap and sun the sillis show how people began agriculture like digging tilling, weeding and farming cotton. like wise the imitation of the Birds and animals, depiction of hunting, war etc. can be seen in silli dance.[89]
  • "Wadangmi Papani", also knowan as Papani or wadangmet this dance perform during Wadangmi festival. Wadangmi is a great festival of Rai community in Khalsa region of Dhankuta District. The dancing style of wadangmi is steps forward, three steps later, with the help of shoulder, the body communicates and dances to the beat of Dhol and Jhyamta, singing songs of love, harmony and devotion. It is like a celebration of love. At this time, no one should scold or fight, if they scold or fight the ancestor deity Budhahang will unhappy. At this time, there is a popular belief that if a boy offers love to a girl or a girl offers love to a boy, he should not complain. "This festive dance beautifully embodies the issue of women's freedom and also shows that women do not have to endure any pressure at this time.[90]
  • "Chhonglak", also the part of Wadangmi Chhonglak is the language of the Rais of the Khalsa region of Dhankuta District. The word "Uchompakma" and "Lakwat" means to come from the soul to be happy, to forget all sorrows and get up. "Lak" means to dance happily. It is also said that it is time for the gods and goddesses to come to the Khalsa region. This is the initial stage of the Wadhangmi dance, which is celebrated throughout the Chhonglak festival to make happy the souls of the gods and goddesses.
  • "Hopcha" is the traditional classical dance of Rai community and is mostly practiced in Dhankuta Region .
  • "Hurla" is cultural dance of Yamphu Rais of Sankhuwasabha District it is perform in the month of Mangsir (November–December) Hurla dance is performed with singing song during rice harvesting season in paddy field. this dance also called Paddy dance(Dhan Nach).[91]
  • "Shamanistic Dance" performed by Bijuwa,Nakchhong,Nakcho,Bijuwa Mangpa Shamans of Rai Community in various Ritual activities.
  • "Maruni Dance" is a Popular Nepali folk Dance there are different types of Maruni dances Rai Community also perform maruni dance in various occasions Adhiya Maruni,Madale Maruni are very popular Maruni dances in Rai Community.[92]

Folk musical instruments

Some of the musical instruments found in Rai community are: Dhol, Jhyamta Binayo, Murchunga, Murali/Bansuri, Mandala (madal), Jhyali, Majira, Bimbilia, Sumbak), Khakuma, Pung, Sillimi, Yalamberbaja etc.[93]

Kongkongma or Binayo is a traditional Kirati- Rai Instrument made from hidden Malingo species of bamboo. Binayo is made by digging in the middle of a small bamboo-about six-inch stream, removing the tongue, tying the thread on both sides and carving a beautiful pattern. Binayo made in this way is played by shaking the long rope of the bar in front of the tongue When playing in this way, Binayo is placed on both the lips of the mouth to make various vakas and the vibration caused by the push of air from inside is affected by the tongue.This instrument is carried by a Kirat Rai woman hanging on the tuna of her cholo.

  • Dhol Bubuk Ken

The main rhythm instrument of the Kirat Rais is Dhol or (Bubuk ken). This instrument is mainly used in Sakewa (Sakela dance) in some places mangpa and Bijuwas are also used for worship while sitting in the place . It is also a popular instrument in Nepal.

Along with the Dhol, Jhyamta (Munikomma) is also played in Sakewa Sakela dance. In some places, Bijuwa and Mangpas are also used for worship while sitting in the place.

Among the various bamboo instruments, the Yalambar is one of the most important and original instrument of the Kirat Rais . By keeping the eyes on both the sides of the bamboo, the choya of the same bamboo is taken out and a four-cornered hole is made in the middle of the bamboo choita chaper. This instrument is also an indicator of musical civilization.

Murchunga Or Kakkong made of iron is the original traditional instrument of Kirat Rais. It is customary for Kirat Rai youths to give this instrument as a gift to their favorite friends.

Sumbak or leaf instrument is a musical instrument that is played by holding the side of a smooth leaf between two lips and taking out various vakas. This instrument is especially popular in Kirati community of Eastern Nepal,Sikkim,Darjeeling region.

Khakuma or Charibaja is an instrument made of bamboo. this instrument is called Charibaja or (Khakuma) because it sounds like a bird when it is blown of the mouth.

Pung is an instrument played by blowing the horn of Animal Wild buffalo with a hole in the top and placing a Malingo pipe in that small hole. This baja is played along with Dhol-zyamta with Nokcho (Shaman Priest) when going to worship at Tosh or Toshi,Wass (Sakela) Than. This instrument is a traditional instrument prevalent in the Khambu Rai community. This instrument is used with special importance by the Kulung, Khaling, Thulung, Nachhering of the Rai community. Its sound is similar to that of a conch shell.

  • Murali Bibilimma

Murali (Bibilimma) Flute is made of small bamboo of Malingo species. Nigalo Malingo bamboo is very good for to make Murali flute . It is cut horizontally on one side and a thin bamboo choya or bhakkimila wood is placed there and a hole is made. On the other side, 6–7 hole are placed. To play it, you put the side of the flute in your mouth and blow it slowly, then the sound starts flowing from there. In order to convert this flowing sound into music, the holes covered by the fingers are covered and opened in order. When playing the flute in this way, a very melodious voice flows. It is the most beloved instrument of Kirat Rais.

  • Jharky Thal Chambyken

Chambyken (Jharky Thal) Bronze Plate are especially played by Mangpa, Bijuwa, Nakchhongs when they Chanting Mundum mantras.

  • Jor Murali

Jor Murali (Two in One Flute) is endangered folk instrument of Kirat Rais. Jor Murali is played by tying two strings made of bamboo sticks with the same sound. Kirat Rai style of Jor Murali Baja is left to make in the present days. this Instrument have already become extinct.

Dhyangro or (Sangra Ken) is mostly used by Khambu Rai Shamans; Mangpa, Bijuwa, well as their allies Kencharawa.

  • Sillimi

This silimi is made by placing 12 rings side by side in a flat elongated shape made of iron and placing four rings under the lower grip. The silimi baja is played by holding the sili dance in one's hand and shaking it with the dance moves. This is the traditional instrument of the Rai Community

Madal is one of the most popular instruments in Nepali music today. This Madal wooden stone is made of Animal leather, coal, rice husk and other materials. It is believed that Madal was made after the Yalambar Baja of the Kiratis. Madal has a special cultural significance in Wambule Rai community.

Basuri is also a major folk Instrument among Kirat Rais. Basuri has a Special Cultural significance important of Wambule Rai community.[94]

  • Suseli Suisuila

The Kirat Rais used Susulila/Suseli as sweet music. Whistling can be done only with the mouth without the help of any object, while using the fingers of the hand in the mouth is also used to transmit signals far and wide.[95]

Kangling is mostly used by Rai (Shamans) Mangpa, Bijuwa, Nakchong during ritual activities

Occupations

 
Terrace farming Hillsides around Bung Hongu Valley Lower Solukhambu dominant inhabited region of Rai People of Kulung sub group

Farming is the main occupation of the Rai people. Mostly they cultivated maize, millet, wheat, mustard in dry terraces, and rice in the wet fields. The grains grown are mostly for their own daily needs such as to use in festivals and to feed the animals. Besides that they use it to make spirits and beer to sell at the bazar at the local market. In almost all households women raise buffalo, pigs and chickens, and they run tiny provision stores for supplementary income, especially used to sell homemade beer and alcohol (Lee, 2005:16).

In the past their profession was hunting and they liked to use bow and arrows, such as they used to weave their own clothes made from Bhangra (allo) to wear. But in the modern times Rais are also employed in foreign military service and in foreign employment like the Indian Gorkha Regiment , British Gurkha Regiment , Gurkha Contingent of Singapore Police Along with their relatives they had the opportunity to work and stay aboard in countries like United Kingdom, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Brunei and India. Because of that financially, comparing to other indigenous groups, they are better off.

Daily housework, such as cooking is the responsibility of the young women, especially girls,. They tend to be the ones who gather firewood from the forests and carry water from the communal water sources while men are mostly involved in the agriculture activities.

Inherently, Kirati people use the land under the Kipat system where the people exercised communal rights over the land, land that was tax free and included dominion over all cultivated lands, forests, streams and rivers within its bounds (Bista, 1967:38). But, it is the system that if other groups used the Kipat they have to pay tax to the owner of the land. People used to farm their land on their own, seldom are fields rented or cultivated by anyone others than the owners.

Almost every single Rai village has a few soldiers, police or civil servants and older pensioners. Because of their bravery, fearlessness, honesty and straightforward nature it's easy for them to join the armies. Nowadays many Rais are also working with the government services too; some holding high ranks and positions (ibid: 39). These types of professions really show the Rai people as a hard working people.

The planting and harvesting seasons from spring to autumn gives them plenty of work to do and in winter time villagers make trips towards the important towns to buy necessary goods such as salt, oil and materials for clothing. They carry goods for trade rather than money on these trips. One farmer may have several fields and they shift from one to another according to the seasons. Traditional Bullocks are used for ploughing the land, the grass and dry undergrowth are burned away, supplying the soil with ash residue (ibid: 38). A majority of the people are in debt, the usual practice for money transaction to be made against security in the land.[96]

Notable Rai people

See also

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External links

  •   Media related to Rai people at Wikimedia Commons
  • Rai languages of Nepal Indigenous rights Radio
  • Kirat Rai Historical Documentary
  • Worldcat archive related Rai People
  • Two Rai Shamans/Rituals From Arun Valley Sankhuwasabha District of East Nepal 1990
  • Kirat Rai Folk Tune By Kirat Rai Cultural Artist Group
  • Rai Songs and Rituals
  • The Kirat Rais – An indigenous Ethnic Group of Nepal
  • Kirat Rai Community Facebook Page
  • Isilim magazine journals Dumi Kirat Rai Funsikim digitalhimalaya
  • Kirat Rai Script
  • Pavana Cāmaliṅa: zamīna se juṛe eka rājanītijña kā safaranāmā
  • Binayo Kirat Rai Folk Historical Movie 2018
  • Population Demography of Nepal Volume II
  • Census of India 2011 Language
  • United Kirat Rai Organisation of America
  • Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities (NEFIN)

people, ethnolinguistic, group, belonging, kirat, family, primarily, tibeto, burman, linguistic, ethnicity, they, mainly, reside, eastern, parts, nepal, indian, states, sikkim, west, bengal, predominantly, darjeeling, kalimpong, hills, south, western, bhutan, . The Rai are an ethnolinguistic group belonging to the Kirat family and primarily Tibeto Burman linguistic ethnicity 9 They mainly reside in the eastern parts of Nepal the Indian states of Sikkim West Bengal predominantly Darjeeling and Kalimpong Hills and in south western Bhutan 10 11 Raiर ईNakchhong a tribal priest or Sakela ritual worship specialist of Rai communityTotal populationc 1 2 million Nepal 690 989 2011 1 India 500 000 above 2 3 Bhutan 17 500 4 Regions with significant populations Nepal Province No 1 and smaller numbering in Bagmati Province and Madhesh Province India West Bengal predominantly Darjeeling Kalimpong districts 250 000 2011 5 and Dooars Sikkim 77 954 2006 6 Assam and other Northeastern States Bihar few villages of Supaul and Madhepura subdivisions 7 Bhutan mainly Southern and Western regionLanguagesNative Languages Kiranti Rai languages Lingua franca NepaliReligion64 4 Kiratism or Nature and Ancestor Worship 27 5 Hinduism 5 3 Christianity 2011 8 Related ethnic groupsLimbuSunuwarYakkhaDhimalJirelDewanHayu Rai women in Sakela Ubhauli festival Tundikhel Kathmandu NepalMangpa or Bijuwa tribal Shaman priest of Rai Community in Mangkhim Aritar Sikkim The Rais are a set of groups one of the cultivating tribes of Nepal They inhabited the area between the Dudh Koshi and Tamur River in Nepal They claim that their country alone is called Kiratdesh and they call themselves Rai In modern times they have spread over Nepal Sikkim and West Bengal 12 Rai are also known as Jimdar and in some places as Khambu Jim means land because they cultivated Jim or land the Rais return cultivation as their traditional occupation H H Risley treats the Rais and Jimdar the as synonymous with the Khambus but most of the Rais nowadays do admit Khambu and Jimdar to be synonymous terms connoting the same ethnic group Rais are one of the dominant tribes of the Kirati group they are a fighting tribe of Nepal They are popularly believed to have offered a stiff resistance to the invasion of the Gorkhas 13 Kiranti Rais are hill tribes who once possessed considerable power and territory but were speedily reduced to submission by Prithvi Narayan Shah after his conquest of Nepal 14 Kirati rule in eastern hills of Nepal ended after the conquest of Gorkha Kingdom in 1772 1773 15 Contents 1 Geographical distribution 1 1 Nepal 1 2 India Bhutan and other countries 2 History 2 1 Mythology of Rai People 2 2 Kirat Dynasty in Kathmandu Valley 2 3 Kirat Kingdom in the east 2 4 Gorkhali conquest in Kirat country 3 Culture 3 1 Marriage system 3 2 Death ritual 3 3 Family and kinship 3 4 Gender issues and decision making procedure 3 5 Attire and ornaments 3 5 1 Women 3 5 2 Men 4 Religion 4 1 Suptulung Places of sacred worship 4 2 Folk gods and goddesses 4 3 Rai shamanism 4 4 The Mundum 5 Tribes and clans 5 1 Sub groups or linguistic groups of Rais 5 2 Pacha Clans of different Rai sub groups 6 Languages 7 Festivals 7 1 Sakela 7 2 Nwagi 7 3 Yele 7 4 Other festivals 8 Folk songs and dances 8 1 Folk songs 8 2 Folk dances 8 3 Folk musical instruments 9 Occupations 10 Notable Rai people 11 See also 12 References 13 External linksGeographical distribution EditNepal Edit Numbering about 750 000 the Rai people mainly inhabit eastern part of Nepal Linguists have identified up to 28 different Rai languages most of them mutually unintelligible 16 Distribution territory of different Rai Linguistic groups in Eastern Nepal Province No 1 districts include Khotang Bhojpur Solukhambu Dhankuta Sankhuwasabha Udaypur Okhaldhunga Ilam and Panchthar District According to Nepal s 2011 census there are 620 004 Rai in Nepal which represents 2 3 of the country s total population Rais are major ethnic group by number in the Districts of Khotang 36 6 Bhojpur 32 0 Ilam 23 8 Dhankuta 19 7 Solukhumbu 19 6 Udayapur 17 3 Panchthar 13 8 Sankhuwasabha 10 3 Okhaldhunga 9 9 and Morang 5 0 17 They also live in Jhapa Sunsari and Makawanpur districts India Bhutan and other countries Edit Rais are predominates in the Indian State of Sikkim Darjeeling Kalimpong Kurseong Mirik and Dooars of West Bengal 18 Rai is the single largest ethnic community in Sikkim 19 Rai population is mostly found in south west and east of Sikkim 20 with large number of Rais also living in Assam and other northeastern states the Kingdom of Bhutan and some have recently migrated to the United Kingdom Hong Kong the United States and other countries History EditMythology of Rai People Edit Rais tradition relates that the first of the ancestral Kirati entered Nepal s eastern hills through the Barahachhetra gorge of the Kosi valley the natural gateway into the region through the Mahabharat Range which separates the hilly hinterland from the plains 21 22 According to the Mundum oral history Kirati ancestors came out of the Khuwalung Then followed the small river or the Saptakoshi They journeyed through the Arun Dudh Koshi Sun Koshi Tama Koshi and finally settled down in the Bhote Koshi valley 23 24 Taandhunga Weaving Stone In Tuwachung Jayajum Historical Piligrame site of Kirati Rai people Khotang District Eastern Nepal According to the myths of Kirati Rai People Tayama elder sister Khiyama younger sister and Raichhakule Tayama and Khimaya s younger brother are supposed to be the primeval ancestors of the Kirati Rai s Civilization The sisters are believed to have lived in Tuwachung whereas the brother in the cave of Halesi Tayama and Khiyama were skillful in weaving the looms They are regarded as the pioneers of textile Tayama is recognized by the names like Khew Toyama Toma Tayama Tangwama Jauma Jaumo Dawa Kakcha and accordingly Khiyama is also called by Khema Khiwama Khliuma Khlemo Khewa Khauma Los in distinct Kiranti languages Raichhakule younger brother of Tayama and Khimaya s also known as Hetchhakuppa Hetchhakuwa Khokchilipa Khakchhilip etc he is considered to be the beginner of the agricultural era in the cultural history of Kirati Rai People 25 26 27 28 29 Salpa Pokhari Pond and Sillichung Mountain in Bhojpur District Eastern Nepal Salpa Pokhari is believed the origin of Kirati Rais ancestors Salpa Pokhori is the centre of cultural believe for Kirati Rais and is related to the myth of Salpa and Ribrima Salpa King and Queen so Kirati Rais believed to be born from these ancestors Salpa and Ribrima Salpa Pokhori is very significant and popular among Kirati Rais from cultural and religious view according to the Kirati Rai s myth this place is the origin of the Kirati Rai people The Sillichung Mountain known as the prime tribute is supposed to be the origin of Mundum according to the Kirati myth 30 31 32 Kirat Dynasty in Kathmandu Valley Edit Main article History of Nepal Nepal enters into real historical era with the conquest of Kathmandu Valley by the Kiratis The Kiratis are said to have been the aborigines inhabiting Eastern Nepal and having their own administrative set up Under the able leadership of their chieftain Yalung or Yalambar the Kiratis defeated Bhuwan Singh the last king in the Ahir Dynasty and brought the Kathmandu valley under their sway 33 From various sources mentioning Long period altogether 29 to 32 Kirati kings who had ruled over Nepal 1225 years from 800 BCE to 300 AD Gopal genealogy mentions 32 Kirati Kings to have ruled over Nepal different genealogies have found to be stating different names of last Kirati King The Lichhavi monarchical dynasty was established in Nepal by defeating last Kirati King Khigu according to Gopal genealogy Galiz according to language genealogy and Gasti according to Wright genealogy Chyasal is the place of final battlefield for Kiratis and Lichhavis About 250 A D Kirati rule end in Kathmandu Valley and Kiratis moved towards east 34 Various ancient historical archeological sites related to history of Kiratis and Kirati period in Kathmandu Valley like Chyasal Patan Durbar Patuk Don Gokarna Thankot Birupakshya Lalitpur Akash Bhairav etc 35 Kirat Kingdom in the east Edit According to historians the Lichhavis got victory only over Kathmandu in other parts of the eastern country Kirati rule is still maintained After the defeated Kiratis by Lichhavis in Kathmandu valley the Kiratis moved gradually east wards ruling in the small territories In the process of expansion Kiratis extended from Banepa Dulikhel Sindupalchok Darawardanda Dolakha Charikot to Kiratichap 36 Kiratis built a fort in Kiratichap and started to rule again still many evidences of Kiratis ancient ruins graveyard can be found in Dolakha Sindupalchok region like Kirat Thursa in Jiri Kiratichap in Dolakha 37 38 according to various folklore and oral history Lichhavi attacked again Kiratis in Dolakha and chased away In Pursuit of the fertile land some kiratis followed Sunkoshi river they become Sunuwar others who followed the Tamakoshi Dudhkoshi Arun and Tamur rivers they become today s Rai Yakkha Sunuwar and Limbu After settling down in different areas Kiratis made their appropriate Kipat the area and again in the mountain region eastern hills Kiratis ruled over for centuries in course of time due to the geo political division three Kirati states were created as Wallo Kirat Near Kirat Majh Kirat Middle Kirat and Pallo Kirat or Far east Kirat 39 Gorkhali conquest in Kirat country Edit Around 1743 AD King Prithvi Narayan Shah of Gorkha started to Unification of Nepal campaign conquering many small states Gorkhalis also started to attacked in the Kirat Region 40 according to historians before the unification of Nepal by Prithvivinaryan Shah from Banepa to Trishuli River and around Teesta River known as Kiratdesh the territory of Kiratis Looking at the evidence of the time when Prithvinarayan Shah expanded the Gorkha kingdom Dolakha Ramechhap and Sindhuli fall in Wallo Kirat and the part from Sunkoshi to upper Arun river falls in Manjh Kirat The area from Upper Arun Arun river to East Teesta River falls within Pallo Kirat when Prithvi Narayan Shah invaded the Dhulikhel border area of Wallo Kirat in 1768 AD that time the Kirat King of Dhulikhel Chaukhat Mahindra Sing Rai and his brother Namsing Rai strongly resisted and fought valiantly with Prithivinarayan shah s huge army for a very long time 41 42 King Prithvi Narayan Shah had deployed Sardar Ram Krishna Kunwar to the invasion of Kirant regional areas comprising Pallo Kirant Wallo Kirant and Majh Kirant There are many kings and chiftens and forts under Wallo Kirat and Majh Kirat area It is mentioned in the book Mechi to Mahakali Part 1 eight thums forts of Wallo Kirat Okhaldhunga namely Bungnam Taluwa Chyanam Solu Tilpung Chisankhu Chuplu and Chauras 43 other forts in Majh Kirat are Hatuwa Chawdandi Mukali Halesi Khotehang Kulum Majhuwa Khamtel Pamakham Rawa and Kepilas one by one the Gorkhalis conquered all these forts in Wallo and Majh Kirat At the time when Prithivi Narayan Shah conquered the Kirat region In this historical period Waling Hang was the king in Hatuwa Gaḍhi Majh Kirat in across the Arun River The kings of Hatuwa extended their rule over part of Khalsa The Khalsa territory present day Ankhisalla Dhankuta District ruled by King Budhahang Budhahang disappeared when Prithivi Narayan Shah attacked him During the war with the Shah king he could revive all the dead Kirati warriors who were killed using his devine powers 44 On 29 August 1772 Ram Krishna Kanwar crossed Dudhkoshi river enter Chaudandi to invade of Kirant and Saptari region with fellow commander Abhiman Singh Basnyat Khambu Kirati Youths who were skilled archers stemmed the advance of the Gorkhali troops at every step with their arrows they inflicted heavy losses on the Gorkhalis so that Prithivinarayan Shah had to send reinforcement sounder the commend of Subedar Shiva Narayan Khatri Chatim Rai of Rawa Khola and Atal Rai of Pamakham were two principal Khambus Kirati ultimately proved ineffective before the bows and arrows of the Gorkhalis within a period of 5 months the Gorkhalis occupied Rawa Halesi Majuwa Kulum and Dingla thus conquering the hole of Majh Kirat 45 Culture EditRai Community has its own traditional culture and rituals all Rai people practice same rituals of life from birth to death but there are some variation in rites and rituals in Rai communities living in different places Rai People doing ancestral ritual at Suptulung Suptulung is a sacred place where all the Life Cycle cultural ritual activities of Rai community perform Marriage system Edit Marriage in Rai group is not merely a biological and psychological relation between the couple but essentially considered a social phenomenon that must be approved by the society Unless the society gives recognition to the couples they find their marital relation insecure After the marriage the woman s clan is not changed though she stays with her husband but her children follow the clan of her husband Both the practices of monogamy and polygamy are found among Rais but the system of polygamy is gradually declinging Some important types of marriage found among Rais are a Chori Biha Theft Marriage It is called Chori Biha by Rais If a man takes a woman away from her home secretly without informing her parents it is called theft marriage This sort of marriage is a bit different from love marriage in that the man and woman may not have developed personal relationship for a long time which is found in love marriage The man may like the woman all of a sudden which the woman may not be noticing All of a sudden the man expresses his wish to marry her when he meets her on some occasion or gathering like in the fairs and marketplace In such a case if some of her relatives or close friends encourage her to elope with the man she may be convinced and becomes ready to go with him Nowadays theft marriage is gradually being replaced by love marriage in which the concerned boy and girl spend some time to know each other without the influence or intervention of anybody then they can either decide to marry just maintain their friendship or discontinue it depending on how far the two parties like or dislike each other b Zari Biha Marriage by paying penalty Taking the wife of another man away in her consent for the purpose of marriage is called Zari Biha in Rai community In such a case a certain amount of cash is paid as a penalty by the woman s new husband to the earlier one c Senzi Zari Biha Widow marriage In Rai community there is not any social prohibition for the widows to marry A widow or widower is allowed to get married though it is not a compulsion In this marriage a certain penalty is paid to the widow s father in law or the senior family member as a compensation for losing a member of the family d Magi Biha Arranged Marriage Arrange marriage is performed with the mutual understanding and arrangements of both the families the boy s side and the girl s side It is called Magi Biha In this marriage the consent of the girl the forthcoming bride is a must 46 47 Death ritual Edit In Rai community death is distinguished between the natural death and unnatural death in their rites of the passage as well In the case of natural death the body is either buried or cremated upon the wish of the dead person But the body must be buried in the case of unnatural death There are many formalities in the death ritual if it is the natural death but such formalities are less in the case of unnatural death since it is believed that such a death turns the person into evil If a baby dies before the growth of his her tooth the funeral rite observed is very simply Such a death is considered a bad omen and categorized under unnatural death The pollution and purification rituals are completed on the same day in such casesIf a pregnant woman dies her lower abdomen is bisected with a bamboo knife and the child is removed from her body The mother and the child are buried at different burial sites according to the ritual of unnatural death The pollution and purification ritual is completed on the same day In the case of natural death complete funeral rite is observed and pollution and purification rituals are strictly followed among Rai community a salt eating and oil drinking ceremony is performed three days after the death On the ninth and tenth days a Shaman performs a merit making ceremony for the deceased This ritual is done to put the deceased soul to a rest otherwise it is believed that the deceased person s spirit will bring harm to the family 48 Family and kinship Edit Rais have the practice of living in both the nuclear and joint families In the nuclear family there are two generations of people whereas a joint family has three or more generations living together by sharing the same house and kitchen Normally the son does not get separated immediately after his marriage But after the marriage of his younger brother he may wish to live separately At the time of separation the parental property is divided equally between the parents and sons Mainly three forms of kinship are found among Rais i kinship by blood e g brother and sister ii kinship by marriage e g father in law sister in law etc iii kinship by social relation e g Miteri friendship bond established after a special ritual relation Kinship behaviour varies according to the status of the kin Some relatives are more respectable than others while some are in joking relation For instance father mother uncle and aunt are respectable but solti soltinee sali bhena are all in joking relation In Rai community son in law and daughter in law are treated equally as the son or daughter of the family Gender issues and decision making procedure Edit Men and women having equal status in the family and community there is almost no gender discrimination in Rai society Although man is usually the head of the family woman s role is equally important in planning and decision making on domestic matters The husband decides almost nothing in absence of his wife They generally discuss to plan the daily activities collectively in the family after dinner and decision is made thereupon After a year of the death of her husband a widow can wear her casual dresses There is no restriction for the widow or widower regarding their clothing They also have the freedom for remarriage but whether to marry or not depends entirely on the widow s or widower s wish An unmarried adult woman possesses very strong role in the family She is heard by all Male and female members of family share their labour in all sorts of activities However a few cases are exceptions e g cooking meals which is mostly considered the responsibility of women But when women are very busy men take the responsibility of cooking as well Similarly though ploughing the field is generally considered the work of men unmarried girls are also found involved in it to support men in their work Attire and ornaments Edit Women Edit Rai women used to weave homespun cloth from the khadi cotton wool and allo nettle plant 49 50 51 Weaving painting of Rai womenRai women s garments are shawl mujetro burkey tangdoma blouse cholo yamlung sari guniu tamphay meklwaist bands hawl hembari waist sash patuki chhakchhima Accessories Every Rai Kirati lady used to keep a khurpi a small carved knife pig hair round brush kuchi musical instrument binayo or dong Marchunga Dotengwa hair band lachha tangkhi Women weave their own clothes on a tan a wooden weaving machine from cotton wool and fibres made from the bark of stinging nettle sisnu ganam Head ornaments of Rai women antique Wooden Mask wood Art Nepal Sirful श रफ ल Dhungri Bulaki ढ ग र ब ल क Chepteysun च प ट स न Chandrahaar चन द रह र Naugedi न ग ढ Renji Hari र ज प स क ह र Kalli च द क कल ल Balla च द क ब ल ठ क च र Godawari ग द वर Tariwoon त र व न Puwalo Mala प व ल म ल Jantar जन तर Hansuli हस ल Dhajura Pechuri धज र प च र Men Edit Rai men wear Wachinari Mala Dzi bead Potlung Puwalo Mala garland and animal tooth necklaces Male dress comprises headgear feta pagari sayabung Betebung shirt dawm lockchham pant suruwal langsup sleeveless coat made of stinging nettle plant fiber chhakchha fenga waistband narimokty patuki chakchhinma a large knife khukuri dabhay 52 Religion EditMain article Kirat Mundhum Rais have been following Kirat religion since the ancient times Kirat religion is based on animistic nature and ancestor worship Rais do not believe in heaven or hell There is no religious hierarchy Kirati Rais engages Nakchong Mangpa Bijuwa Nakso their tribal shamans in their religious rites During the course of their recent history the Rais has increasingly borrowed elements from the major religions they have had contact with from Lamaist Buddhism or another cases Nepalese Hinduism without however renouncing their own tribal traditions 53 Suptulung Places of sacred worship Edit Suptulung Samkhalung Teen Chula Dhunga the three hearthmade stone sacred worship place of the Rai People Teen Chula or Chula Dhunga The three hearth made stones called Dayahulung or Suptulung is the central part all the rituals or rites of Rais practised from birth to death are done in this Teen Chula Suptulung The major deity of all Rais is Teen chula Suptulung The three hearthmade stoned oven of the house The Term Lu or Lung refers to the stone and thus the suffix like lu or lung is found in most of the names of the oven in house eg Taplelung Suptulung Mayalung Ghewalung etc Almost every thing from the right beginning of birth cradle to the tomb is performed on the sacred teen chula without Teen Chula no rituals can be done in Rai culture Teen Chula is the gate way to enter in the real and practical day to day life 54 There is Suptulung Teen Chula in every house of Rais It is buried on one side of the inner corner of the house It said that Dash Rai Dash Bhasa Ek Chula There is Same Teen Chula of all ten diversified Rais it is believed that in the beginning there is only Ten Thars of Rais but later Rais are divide into many thars sub group Teen Chula Suptulung is the Tribal identity of Rais and its a symbol of unity of different diviersified Kirati Rais in one ethnic family 55 Teen Chula Suptulung also known as Samkhalung in bantawa Rai dialect The word Samkha means ancestors and Lung means stones Samkhalung the three main stones Papalung symbolizing male ancestors Mamalung symbolizing female ancestors and Ramilung symbolizing societal spiritual energies The Teen Chula are considered by the Rais to be their most important shrines Teen Chula is sacred place after death where the departed souls ancestors of the Rais live in this place Teen Chula philosophy three knowledge perspectives as the distinctive original identity of Rais 56 Folk gods and goddesses Edit Kirati Rais are basically animist they worship various Household deity and Nature deities Sumnima and Paruhang as the archetypal proto female and proto male Kirati Rai s supreme deity is Sumnima Paruhang Sumnima is a female goddess which is believed to be the Mother Earth Mother Nature and Paruhang is a male god also known as the king Sky God Kirati Rais worship as ancestral god and goddess to Sumnima and Paruhang Sumnima also known as Hengkhamma the Mother Earth and Paruhang also known as Ninamma Father the Sky god The Sumnima is the supreme female God wife of the Paruhang She represents the earth and ancestral mother Paruhang is the supreme male God husband of the Sumnima lords of flowers Sumnima Paruhang are the deities of creator preserver and sustainer god and goddess of the Rais Hence it is not appropriate to equate these venerated god and goddess with the Shiva a destroyer god of Hinduism and Parvati concert of Shiva as it is often equated in Rais literature these days this is simply Hinduisation of the lesser known Rais believe System 57 58 59 Rai shamanism Edit Rai Shaman Eastern Nepal Rai shamanism comprises a plurality of shamanic traditions varied but closely related like the Rai groups themselves The Rai in East Nepal consist of numerous subtribes and even though they speak different languages and have their own distinct traditions they all share a common linguistic and cultural heritage Together with Limbu the language of a related group residing farther to the east also in Sikkim and Darjeeling the Kirati Rai languages belong to the Kiranti family which is a subgroup of Tibeto Burman Culturally the Rai have been influenced by both Hinduism and Tibetan Buddhism but these influences have only marginally affected their ancestral traditions in which shamanic features still figure prominently 60 The Mundum Edit The mundum is the oral tradition among the Rais and it is also a long standing and ancient though not unchanging ritual practice Mundum is also addressed as Ridum Muddum or Pelam Iiterally Muna means Man and dum means talk which can be said speaking of man or oral talking as a hole the mundum is an oral tradition so it may differ in place to place The term mundum is generally pronounced as mundhum by Nepali speakers Many researchers have documented the term mundhum in their research The dh sound in mundhum is not found in many Kirati languages If it is found in other Kirati languages it often is a loan sound The term mundhum thus might be of Nepali influence So the native term is mundum In this case the term mundum changes into the mundhum because the alveolar is changed into the dental aspirated dh because it might be the influence of the Nepali language 61 Although the concept is the same the term mundum has different variants among different subgroups of Rai Gaenszle 2002 40 42 who has done pioneering work in the field of Kirati ritual has extensively studied about it and collected different terms which are as follows Mundum Chintang Bantawa Belhare Muddum Mudum Mewahang Bantawa Mindum Pe lam Yamphu Ridum Kulung Dum Chamling Pe lam Lohorung 62 Tribes and clans Edit Rais lineage system Rais have distinct cultural tradition The community is divided into different subtribes called Thar all have their own distinctive language or dialect this division of Rais into various subtribes allows for the minor alterations in the ritualistic practices while the essence of the traditions remains homogeneous largely within the Thar there are clan division called Pacha clans are exogamous There is further classification within the Pacha known as Samet Samet traces the relationship of a person to his her ancestor Pacha and Samet is main ritual identity of Rais which is compulsory needed in every ritual performance 63 64 Sub groups or linguistic groups of Rais Edit Bantawa 65 Chamling Kulung Mewahang Bahing Lohorung Puma Dewan Yakkha Dumi Dungmali Nachhiring Lingkhim Lungkhim Chhiling Chhulung Mugali Lambichong Athpahariya Thulung Khaling Newahang Bayung Yamphu Tilung Sampang Wambule Dewas Jerung Jero Waling Phangduwali Pacha Clans of different Rai sub groups Edit Athpahariya Rai Pacha Clans 66 67 MangbungPangsungHombarakChharaFhokimKhawadupChhitlingeKimdangChhongdenCharingmeRoduwaLengsuwa 68 Bantawa Rai Pacha Clans SuptihangRongchong HangkhimWalung HangkhimSubi HangkhimLipchu HangkhimDungrang HangkhimSamsong HangkhimNira HangkhimSorongSuprongRongchhawaRangrisaRungmahangRupabungRuchhenbungTangluwaLuhunAawaiMukarungYupachhaHangbungEssaraBhongla EssaraChaudara EssaraDawa EssaraDharana EssaraKamdung MakaraDuppden MakaraRangsaakkwamakaraLakkwahang MakaraTarakhuk MakaraWalihangChhopkkhngWalingLengmukNikhunntaLonggakhaAliharaGawrungSohonnwaKhammwenSangsung EssaraSoyongSrihangWalungYakkduhangKhahongKhayakhahongRangmiNamrangwokHaddemRadhungGaamureMangpahangMangfangDhichangchaWaredowaSucchhaTangluwaNinamthaliMukarungKhomyungkhaRachhenbungPittringKangmangChhentongPayaonWaanuHongchhenKhimdungDikukkpaRatthangkhaYangmaWaralungSonahangRangchhihangKamdungKhamleKhumsangKhasngchhaKhokungkhaGawraChhamalungTammlaTaarungChopkhangChwraseChhichhangchhaTukkchhaTenkumTaleTalemeTailaDeyamaTenchipaDuppdenghangDhiwatpangNakkchhongPawenPuwaaiWaachhanaBaartangBaardewaButangMutelMakkrihangYahasamMakmeMulahangMangkukThuppchhangYongchhenDewahangAawaiDissimmbungLulahangLeknaduPakmangSiptungkhaSamsuyanSaallenSiwahangSoyongHangwangSupptingChhitpahangMannduppaFulahangHangsungKhimbuDilungchaMurmahangBungchhihangMoniMayaSubajraSakktenHangdungKangmangKhamloKhamtoSamsohangRarahangMuksuKhimbuleKheshang 69 Bahing Bayung Rai Pacha Clans SechochaLutimiPiyachaTarkasyaTolochaKharadibuchraChyaskuchaDiwurichaNomwesraDungmochaChytoppaHojupachaMosrachaThamrochaHowdullchaMupuchaKharayellchaRipochaKharullchaRallochaNamysrachaProngmochaYumbuchaChyemchaRakychaMopplochaTangdochaTolocha Chamling Rai Pacha Clans HumdingchhaYalungchhaLipohochha LipungchhaNinambongchhaRanahochhaSaidachhaSalebrichhaPotokhamchha KheresungchhaPitrungchhaBolemchhaSotrochhaKuwasungchhaKholapachhaHomyungchhaWalemrungchhaYatimchhaRobohuchhaDobalichhaChandachhaSiyalungchhaDungbohochhaSorohachhaWabhachhaPoteprungchhaPuruwachhaDamdihachhaRobohochhaSilohochhaMayarajachhaBirachhaBumakhamchhaChipanamchhaHopprachhaNagasachhaHandiwachhaRosingchhaWasungchhaMeretipachhaKhadaichhaLuicheichhaKhinpachhaDibuchhaNambiwachhaBuwaipachhaKhalungchhaHabungchhaLumbohongPotokhamchhaLafeyongchhaDikalichhaPlamhachhaSeralungchhaRomrochhaHomihachhaRasungchhaHuruchhaMitapaichhaMukarachhaIngchhorochhaBhusununamchhaDilapachhaHondaichhaMiksipachhaRanarungchhaRungritimchhaBoingchha ChuidachhaHondarichhaNinochhaRakhimihachhaMunsinchhaPurumichhaBusurichhaPatisungchhaNinamrungchhaRodolechhaRunchimichhaKoimingchhaThaparaichhaHarasungchhaSaterungchhaSenamchhaHomdimchhaChhulapachhaHuilungchgaBadachhaSapsanmchhaNenungchhaKerumungchhaMansungchhaMalekungchhaMompolangchhaNambuchapachhaPurimchhaPogumsonchhaRingalungchhaYongchhenchhaHowabungchhaMaidungchhaMukumarachhaMunglohachhaYunglingchhaValingrachhaProrungchhaPalangmochhaHopechungchhaDibuchhaHomichhaHandyungchhaBusuriamchhaDahingchhaDalahachhaBirahachhaNamrachhaKarkungchhaLaphengchhaButepachhaPhlomochhaChhupanamchhaPhakerungchhaYinchharachhaSimhanchha 70 Chhiling Chhulng Rai Pacha Clans GanchuPhangphuLongawaChhongkhaRajbangsi Chhintang Rai Pacha Clans NaikaTeleDalahangSampang Dewan Dewan Yakkha Rai Clan Although they are small in number Dewan is also considered as one of the sub castes of Rai In Darjeeling district and Sikkim of India Dewan is commonly used as a synonym of Yakkha Dumi Rai Pacha Clans KhabachuDimmchuWaalakkpaRaichuRipplachuKhaaruwuRankasuRattkuMurohaSarchuTurachuHaamruchuJipuchuWalappuSattmaThurrchuChhachungHalakksuHajurchhuLuppoHadi Dungmali Rai Pacha Clans HangbangPungwatPawenChokhangSalukathenwaChangchhaTumcha Dewas Rai Pacha Clans DadagoaunleGhhiganpureSihapaliGardkhareBhimtareDautingeBaghgaounleManndaneGogitarePippaltarePaltareSimaltareBhangtare 71 Jero Jerung Rai Pacha Clans TolupeSutrap RakeSuryabangshi Rake Kulung Rai Pacha Clans HongeluChhamniwMorokhuThorempaHarimmbuTongwruRonggendaHochharaowFhaneluGannkhuGajiwuSommfuruWokkhoThhimmraMayatiRinnhoPidimusNgopochaRajiwuChoyochoTomochoGoduhoMatimmbuTorngoRapykhuManthayrwuChhendiwuPidisaiWalakhamWadiriPokhotiChhappkotiChhapduluNinamLaowtiHonitiHindukhuThomrosTomochhaTorngoChhenhoHolimmbu 72 Khaling Rai Pacha Clans KarsangKarbhagTeppthaByollyoruKimllyammAayauHangkhrwaapDutam DusaRunaWyaisngThulaMullkuHalokksu MahaikammRaddaHallachyoMmyullusngRajallyuByarluHassiPyalruKyurittyassNgmeChhyalosJyubuMapyaDikpyaHangkulaSalachyoDorungGotemmbuKursangHangsangChochimiKhyappchruJjyummyalluTemmlos Koyee or Koyu Rai Pacha Clans MunchuppaDhirulSafoboHadukuTemmebiRaipachhaNapachhaGawrungpachhaRowachhaKuimichha Lohorung Rai Pacha Clans KhaisongDekhimLamsongChang kha meChabaMikcherengChabaKetraHanglengbaYangkhurungDakksngMennawaLummbenTengsaKhimpuSinglegaYummpangAanglalammchongBiawaBiksikDingguwaSeppa Mewahang Rai Pacha Clans OnglungLangchhawaLummlumaLakkchhawaYokkchharungBikksiChapenMaringoWachhuhangTemmoraKhawahangLakkfewaBunglawaYummpangKettaraWala TemmoraUttongmaLammdakawaAayokLangdappaLenndaLongtepppaWalungLangchhongChhoppchhohangPoyongRungmiSinglegaThokknamLimmkhimKhawangSammbewaDekkchhongYangdokkchhongMalungBopptang Nachhiring Rai Pacha Clans ToduwaHangkhelHapptemaluPipasskoTemmsuSatippaLammduwaHareluchhaManthebruTemmduHadichiSigirigoRaseppaHocherepHomelRamlaiWademmluRammoNgwachuNassmiNachhyopaThomroHopotiRajipoHolatiDewramMokkthulRakupoMollthoDunnteChemmchimiChhetoppaYaatihangSaipoYoisaSalichamChhenhoLawatiHonitiKubetiThomnamDosimRibetiRekkwatoHandukuWiretiGurutiThoppchhaNetichhi Puma Rai Pacha Clans YongduhangTongmalungThugrahangKhohongHadiraMethahangLemmachhitKhirihangGarajaBabihangHangthangkhaMellongdhongDumaklungHennyongchha Phangduwali Rai Pacha Clans TumchhaYangbangNamekMangphangWalingChukkhadangMangbungKhambu Sampang Rai Pacha Clans BaliReppsunaChhetapiPittrungBultim RangkhamSamrungjeSamarunngTorihoTorimahBarhamukhiDammrewaPalungRayengeRadukhuHadikhuSahiduddhaTamangchhaDumangchhaDammrichhaBikachhaNammnuhoEssaraBekhumKhayaBakkchhaliHiradewHolachhaHochmmchhaHirahangMatihangHangrungBekkhsungMaremmlungBirangWasungmaThongrepaHulubungBhaluSampangRana Sampang 73 Sotang Rai Pacha Clans NgopochoHobermeKubitiPayatiPonkiriThomnamRukupoHiusiRiwtiHomulaRadakuHolumbu 74 Thulung Rai Pacha Clans ChhesangHangkeLollmiRippdoLaafflaNgarchoRitimoLangturKhesstaTammpiliLlyaannaWrikkppaHasstiSeljangSedaraMangkhuHaupaRaijuJitemolSswangje NgarchhyoPayachhyoMukkkhaHarulRajideuWakkmusiWartiLuchhirChappturiLlyummbaHadikhamKhappchuriRangchhachyoSsyarliDdyamurRadurTammtarTolinndiTutaWakheWakhamChyakksuChenndaLuhaiSsyammrechyoBanariGurichaHadaillyo Tilung Rai Pacha Clans MukkchhungchhaRaingchhaWayungchhaKhalumichha Wambule Rai Pacha Clans MukkachoBrongkhelchoLuwariDongkhijjchoNakksochachoGawrachoTillpachaSummdichaFhumlachoWodommchoRiwuwachhaKkyammpachoGawrungJerongHomaiRappdoDorongHatachoBhuwachaMukhiwaRavongwaTarbujaSalllocha Yamphu Rai Pacha Clans Kkyassba Mennaba ChaYungsaba MennabaKhakuraKhikhuraKhommbuwaPrithiryaTyangsaMiringaMangbakhimAalaUlingNewahangSeppaChngkhaThipplungThukkpanaAenndabaThengakTharenChabaSibawkaiseliSoyangRummbangsaNewaMinglegDengsengKetaraWarekhimMikhuwaWarungYungbaDadyngYummpangKhippuLammsongLummbenYangkhiraHingguwaHalemmbaLanguages EditMain article Rai languages The Rai languages are members of the Sino Tibetan language family They belong to the Kiranti group of the Tibeto Burman languages branch of the Sino Tibetan family In the Nepal National Census of 2011 roughly 800 000 respondents declared a Kiranti languages as their mother tongue The number of speakers is probably less than this The Census of India 2001 reported 50 000 speakers of Limbu and Rai in India most in Sikkim Linguistic Survey of India n d 75 76 Festivals EditSakela Edit Main article Sakela festival Sakela is the main Festival of Kirati Rais The Rai people call it by different names like Sakenwa Sakela Tosh or Toshi Bhume Sakel Wass Segro Sakewa Dhuulu Phagulak Gelang Gayapuja among different linguistic groups This festival is celebrated twice in a year as ubhauli in full moon day of the Baisakh and udhauli in full moon day of Mangsir in Kirati Rai villages The major philosophy of Sakela is nature worship importance is placed on paying tribute to ancestors to whom current generations owe their existence 77 Since Kirati people consider themselves the followers of the nature they celebrate sakela to worship sky earth rivers and forest on the one hand they pay tribute towards the deceased members of their family on the other hand During sakela the dance known as silli is performed Silli varies from village to village in the beating of jhyamta cymbals and dhol The choreography of silli depicts important daily activities and explains the traditional origins of agricultural practices such as digging tilling weeding and farming cotton Likewise the imitation of the birds and animals is also performed in lively silli Other activities like worshiping the tap and sun are depicted in the sillis and in the spiritual sillis the ancestors like Tayama Khiyama hunter Chasum Narawa Paruhang Nayuma are shown in dance The Kirati ancestor Hetchhakuppa is considered to be the first performer of silli Around 45 silli are claimed to be in the existence even today Nwagi Edit Main article Nwagi festival Nwagi is celebrated during prior to eating the harvested food crops Kirati Rais clean the ancestral room Suptulung and various New crops are offered to ancestors during Nwagi puja Nwagi puja also known as Pirtri puja Ancestral worship it is believed that new food crops not be eaten until the Nwagi puja or without offered the ancestors Nwagi puja is all about offering new food of the year to the ancestors cook a lot of varieties of food including alcohol to offer to the ancestors this puja perform by priest or elder people male of house performs all the rituals During nwagi celebration also invite family relatives in house different varieties of foods and alcohol serve to the guests relatives chat with each other and the day ends with the farewell Kirati Rais call the Nwagi puja by different names and perform it in different ways 78 Yele Edit Main article Yele Sambat Yele Sambat also known as Yaledong By Rai People Maghe Sankranti also celebrate same day The Yele Sambat calendar is named after the first Kirat king Yalambar It is said that this calendar started when the Kirat king Yalambar defeated the Gopal dynasty in the Kathmandu Valley The Yele Sambat calendar begins on 15 January This new year day is also celebrated as Maghe Sankranti in Nepal when people eat sweet potato and various kinds of yams and sel roti 79 Other festivals Edit Wadangmi Festival Wadangmi is a Major Festival of Rai Community of Khalsa Region of Dhankuta District Wadangmi also known as Papani this festival started from Kartik Purnima and continues up to fifteen days 80 Dhwangkum Festival Dhwangkum is a cultural festival celebrated in the origin place of Wambule Rai It is also called Dhwangkum According to the Hindu calendar Janai Purnima is celebrated on a date As it usually falls in August it is also called Bhadau Purnima Wambule calls this date Dhwangkum Purne In Dhwangkumo Libju Upo Libju Baje Bhumju Upo Bhumju Baje Dibju Upo Dibju Baje Sisi Sikari Earth Dharti Sky Akash and the ancestors are worshiped 81 Folk songs and dances EditTody in the field of Nepali music vocal lyrics dance and other arts the Kirati Rais occupied a large space Specially Eastern Nepali folk music mostly influence from Rai community 82 Folk songs Edit Rai community has rich cultural rituals Some are well preserved from the earliest time while some others are dying and some are already dead The community stores a vast number of chham songs i e Rungpuwachham Hakparechham Yari Hiyarichham Saimachham Sakelachham Dolokupmachham Risiya risiwa Hopachham Juwari Salmaya Laibari Lambari Chham Radamle etc which are sung for different purposes on specific occasions Hiyari Chham is a special song that is performed on the occasion of the wedding ceremony in the Rai community this song is a questions and answer song sung both male and female during wedding occasion This song is sung in Sungkhim a temporary or new house for guests it is found that singing is done in some places even when the guests are leaving 83 Saima Chham is a song of birth life and living and it is sung at work and at the waterpoint etc Saimachham sung specially by women 84 Risiya Chham Risiwa or Risiya is the shamanic song sung by Nakchong Mangpa Bijuwa Nakso Risiya chham It is sung in a rhythmic style performed in many ritual works Hopmachham is a great song based on Kirat Rais scriptural music Etymologically it is made up of two words hopma drink and chham song a drinking song or more accurately a song that makes you drunk with its charm In other words listening to this song one is drugged and enchanted with its magical properties In order to sing this song the knowledge of Kiranti oral tradition Mundum is necessary According to the Kirati Rai belief not anybody can sing the song even if he knows it only the person who has gained the knowledge to sing it in his dream and has not learned it can sing it a Starting of the Hopmachham It is widely believed that hopmachham is a marvelous song When sung appropriately it could bring rain light fire dry green trees give life to dead trees attract animals attention and force them to gather make one cry dance or laugh and make plants and trees obey For example in the olden days a Hopmachham singer could make trees tie their tops together and again free them b The ways of singing the Hopmachham Hopmachham can be sung in two ways viz as monologue or duet In a monologuous or single singing the singer recounts the story of God Paruhang and the Goddess Sumnima Therefore we can say that hopmachham is a kind of hymn sung by Rai community This kind of song addresses the history of creation as well as the deeds of Paruhang the first man and Sumnima the first woman which are today knows as Kiranti rituals Singing hopmachham the singer tells the history of origin from pre historical age up to the present times Naturally it takes many days to complete it General living styles can also be explained by these types of songs People used to sing single hopmachham at work on their way back from work and in the evening at home before sleeping time 85 Rungpuwachham is as a branch of hopmachham in which the singer describes the historical and cultural events as well the description of the bravery of the forefathers Rungpuwachham is almost extinct these days Sakela Sakenwa Chham is sung during the Sakela dance in Ubhauli and Udhauli The Rai people express their daily happenings and well wishes via Sakela songs and melodies This song is performed in medium beat rhythm by dancers wearing traditional attires Sakela song and dance are very popular in Nepali Culture Hakpare Chham can also be taken as a folk song in Kirant Rai community This song can be sung anywhere and by anybody and in anytime hakpare chham is popular folk song specially in Yamphu Lohorung and Mewahang Rai community 86 Laibari Lamwari Chham is one of the ancient original folk song of the Rais In Bantawa Rai language Laam means Root Wa Means Water and Ri means Song life song of rivers and streams this folk song is an endangered already extinct these days 87 88 Ramdale Salang is one of the most popular folk song sung mostly in Wambule Rai community Madal and Basuri is major instruments used in Ramdale Salang folk song Salmaya is a typical cultural song specially Jerung and Wambule Rai communities performed Salmaya song during Khauma Sama Pujas ancestor worship ritual Ayosa is popular in the Kirat Rai community Ayosa is a song sung by a Brothers Siters or Boys Girls in a group in a herd in a forest or in a marriage Ayosa songs are especially expressions of life experiences When modern music was not developed it was customary to sing Ayosa to the tune of Murchunga Binayo Paat leaf Instrument and Basuri Folk dances Edit Sakenwa Silli dance Segro Hang silli dance Wass silli dance Gelang silli dance Toshi silli dance Silli Dance Silli dances are performed during Udhauli Ubhauli Sakela Festival Silli dances are different styles and types among the various Rai sub group in silli dances the major instruments used Jhyamta and Dhol some Rai group only used Jhyamta in their silli dances Kulung Khaling Thulung Nachhiring Rais also used animal Horn Pung Baja in silli dances Traditional Instruments of Silli DanceSilli are mostly perform their daily activities that are similar to the activities of the human beings similarly the imitate other activities like worshiping the tap and sun the sillis show how people began agriculture like digging tilling weeding and farming cotton like wise the imitation of the Birds and animals depiction of hunting war etc can be seen in silli dance 89 Wadangmi Papani also knowan as Papani or wadangmet this dance perform during Wadangmi festival Wadangmi is a great festival of Rai community in Khalsa region of Dhankuta District The dancing style of wadangmi is steps forward three steps later with the help of shoulder the body communicates and dances to the beat of Dhol and Jhyamta singing songs of love harmony and devotion It is like a celebration of love At this time no one should scold or fight if they scold or fight the ancestor deity Budhahang will unhappy At this time there is a popular belief that if a boy offers love to a girl or a girl offers love to a boy he should not complain This festive dance beautifully embodies the issue of women s freedom and also shows that women do not have to endure any pressure at this time 90 Chhonglak also the part of Wadangmi Chhonglak is the language of the Rais of the Khalsa region of Dhankuta District The word Uchompakma and Lakwat means to come from the soul to be happy to forget all sorrows and get up Lak means to dance happily It is also said that it is time for the gods and goddesses to come to the Khalsa region This is the initial stage of the Wadhangmi dance which is celebrated throughout the Chhonglak festival to make happy the souls of the gods and goddesses Hopcha is the traditional classical dance of Rai community and is mostly practiced in Dhankuta Region Hurla is cultural dance of Yamphu Rais of Sankhuwasabha District it is perform in the month of Mangsir November December Hurla dance is performed with singing song during rice harvesting season in paddy field this dance also called Paddy dance Dhan Nach 91 Shamanistic Dance performed by Bijuwa Nakchhong Nakcho Bijuwa Mangpa Shamans of Rai Community in various Ritual activities Maruni Dance is a Popular Nepali folk Dance there are different types of Maruni dances Rai Community also perform maruni dance in various occasions Adhiya Maruni Madale Maruni are very popular Maruni dances in Rai Community 92 Folk musical instruments Edit Some of the musical instruments found in Rai community are Dhol Jhyamta Binayo Murchunga Murali Bansuri Mandala madal Jhyali Majira Bimbilia Sumbak Khakuma Pung Sillimi Yalamberbaja etc 93 Binayo Kongkongma DongKongkongma or Binayo is a traditional Kirati Rai Instrument made from hidden Malingo species of bamboo Binayo is made by digging in the middle of a small bamboo about six inch stream removing the tongue tying the thread on both sides and carving a beautiful pattern Binayo made in this way is played by shaking the long rope of the bar in front of the tongue When playing in this way Binayo is placed on both the lips of the mouth to make various vakas and the vibration caused by the push of air from inside is affected by the tongue This instrument is carried by a Kirat Rai woman hanging on the tuna of her cholo Dhol Bubuk KenThe main rhythm instrument of the Kirat Rais is Dhol or Bubuk ken This instrument is mainly used in Sakewa Sakela dance in some places mangpa and Bijuwas are also used for worship while sitting in the place It is also a popular instrument in Nepal Jhyamta Munikomma ManikenAlong with the Dhol Jhyamta Munikomma is also played in Sakewa Sakela dance In some places Bijuwa and Mangpas are also used for worship while sitting in the place Yalamber Baja Yala KenAmong the various bamboo instruments the Yalambar is one of the most important and original instrument of the Kirat Rais By keeping the eyes on both the sides of the bamboo the choya of the same bamboo is taken out and a four cornered hole is made in the middle of the bamboo choita chaper This instrument is also an indicator of musical civilization Murchunga KakkongMurchunga Or Kakkong made of iron is the original traditional instrument of Kirat Rais It is customary for Kirat Rai youths to give this instrument as a gift to their favorite friends Leaf instrument Sumbak KenSumbak or leaf instrument is a musical instrument that is played by holding the side of a smooth leaf between two lips and taking out various vakas This instrument is especially popular in Kirati community of Eastern Nepal Sikkim Darjeeling region Chari Baja Pan flute KhakumaKhakuma or Charibaja is an instrument made of bamboo this instrument is called Charibaja or Khakuma because it sounds like a bird when it is blown of the mouth Animal horn instrument Pung KenPung is an instrument played by blowing the horn of Animal Wild buffalo with a hole in the top and placing a Malingo pipe in that small hole This baja is played along with Dhol zyamta with Nokcho Shaman Priest when going to worship at Tosh or Toshi Wass Sakela Than This instrument is a traditional instrument prevalent in the Khambu Rai community This instrument is used with special importance by the Kulung Khaling Thulung Nachhering of the Rai community Its sound is similar to that of a conch shell Murali BibilimmaMurali Bibilimma Flute is made of small bamboo of Malingo species Nigalo Malingo bamboo is very good for to make Murali flute It is cut horizontally on one side and a thin bamboo choya or bhakkimila wood is placed there and a hole is made On the other side 6 7 hole are placed To play it you put the side of the flute in your mouth and blow it slowly then the sound starts flowing from there In order to convert this flowing sound into music the holes covered by the fingers are covered and opened in order When playing the flute in this way a very melodious voice flows It is the most beloved instrument of Kirat Rais Jharky Thal ChambykenChambyken Jharky Thal Bronze Plate are especially played by Mangpa Bijuwa Nakchhongs when they Chanting Mundum mantras Jor MuraliJor Murali Two in One Flute is endangered folk instrument of Kirat Rais Jor Murali is played by tying two strings made of bamboo sticks with the same sound Kirat Rai style of Jor Murali Baja is left to make in the present days this Instrument have already become extinct Dhyangro Sangra Ken Dhyangro or Sangra Ken is mostly used by Khambu Rai Shamans Mangpa Bijuwa well as their allies Kencharawa SillimiThis silimi is made by placing 12 rings side by side in a flat elongated shape made of iron and placing four rings under the lower grip The silimi baja is played by holding the sili dance in one s hand and shaking it with the dance moves This is the traditional instrument of the Rai Community Madal RantangMadal is one of the most popular instruments in Nepali music today This Madal wooden stone is made of Animal leather coal rice husk and other materials It is believed that Madal was made after the Yalambar Baja of the Kiratis Madal has a special cultural significance in Wambule Rai community BasuriBasuri is also a major folk Instrument among Kirat Rais Basuri has a Special Cultural significance important of Wambule Rai community 94 Suseli SuisuilaThe Kirat Rais used Susulila Suseli as sweet music Whistling can be done only with the mouth without the help of any object while using the fingers of the hand in the mouth is also used to transmit signals far and wide 95 Kangling BhalangkatKangling is mostly used by Rai Shamans Mangpa Bijuwa Nakchong during ritual activitiesOccupations Edit Terrace farming Hillsides around Bung Hongu Valley Lower Solukhambu dominant inhabited region of Rai People of Kulung sub group Farming is the main occupation of the Rai people Mostly they cultivated maize millet wheat mustard in dry terraces and rice in the wet fields The grains grown are mostly for their own daily needs such as to use in festivals and to feed the animals Besides that they use it to make spirits and beer to sell at the bazar at the local market In almost all households women raise buffalo pigs and chickens and they run tiny provision stores for supplementary income especially used to sell homemade beer and alcohol Lee 2005 16 In the past their profession was hunting and they liked to use bow and arrows such as they used to weave their own clothes made from Bhangra allo to wear But in the modern times Rais are also employed in foreign military service and in foreign employment like the Indian Gorkha Regiment British Gurkha Regiment Gurkha Contingent of Singapore Police Along with their relatives they had the opportunity to work and stay aboard in countries like United Kingdom Singapore Hong Kong Malaysia Brunei and India Because of that financially comparing to other indigenous groups they are better off Daily housework such as cooking is the responsibility of the young women especially girls They tend to be the ones who gather firewood from the forests and carry water from the communal water sources while men are mostly involved in the agriculture activities Inherently Kirati people use the land under the Kipat system where the people exercised communal rights over the land land that was tax free and included dominion over all cultivated lands forests streams and rivers within its bounds Bista 1967 38 But it is the system that if other groups used the Kipat they have to pay tax to the owner of the land People used to farm their land on their own seldom are fields rented or cultivated by anyone others than the owners Almost every single Rai village has a few soldiers police or civil servants and older pensioners Because of their bravery fearlessness honesty and straightforward nature it s easy for them to join the armies Nowadays many Rais are also working with the government services too some holding high ranks and positions ibid 39 These types of professions really show the Rai people as a hard working people The planting and harvesting seasons from spring to autumn gives them plenty of work to do and in winter time villagers make trips towards the important towns to buy necessary goods such as salt oil and materials for clothing They carry goods for trade rather than money on these trips One farmer may have several fields and they shift from one to another according to the seasons Traditional Bullocks are used for ploughing the land the grass and dry undergrowth are burned away supplying the soil with ash residue ibid 38 A majority of the people are in debt the usual practice for money transaction to be made against security in the land 96 Notable Rai people EditAgansing Rai recipient of 13th Victoria Cross Alisha Rai Nepalese actress Amar Singh Rai Indian Politician from Darjeeling Ashok Rai Former Vice Chairperson of Communist Party of Nepal and Senior leader of Socialist Party Asit Rai writer and novelist Sahitya Akademi winner Bal Bahadur Rai senior cabinet minister acted as Prime Minister senior leader of Nepali Congress Party Bartika Eam Rai Nepali Singer Song Writer Chandra Das Rai Indian politician senior leader in Sikkim State Congress bureaucrat and former journalist Dayahang Rai actor director play writer and founder of Mandala Theatre Deo Prakash Rai General secretary of the All India Gorkha League and named as Minister in the West Bengal state government Dhiraj Rai Nepalese Singer Dil Maya Rai National Assembly of Bhutan Garja Man Rai Bhutanese Politician Haiman Das Rai Writer in Indian Nepali Literature Sahitya Akademi winner Hari Prasad Gorkha Rai writer Indra Bahadur Rai writer and literary critic Jai Bir Rai Minister of Education Bhutan Jitu Rai Indian shooter Padma Shri and Khel Ratna Award winner Lain Singh Bangdel former Chancellor of the Royal Nepal Academy Lalit Rai Indian Kargil War Man Bahadur Rai Indian Army Officer Manikala Rai Nepalese ultra runner Meenakshi Madan Rai first female Judge of Sikkim High Court Melina Rai Nepalese singer Mira Rai athlete and trail runner Narad Muni Thulung senior cabinet acted as Prime Minister of Nepal Pawan Kumar Chamling Longest serving Chief Minister of India 24 years 165 days founder of the Sikkim Democratic Front party Pradeep Kumar Rai lyricist of current Nepalese National Anthem Sayaun Thunga Phulka Prem Das Rai Indian politician from Sikkim Rajan Mukarung writer and activist Rajesh Payal Rai singer and music composer Ram Prasad Rai revolutionary fighter against Rana autocracy Ratna Bahadur Rai Indian Politician From Darjeeling Rajendra Kumar Rai 3rd Chief Minister of Province No 1 Nepal Sabin Rai pop singer from Dharan Santa Bahadur Rai Secretary amp Chairman Public Service Commission Sarita Rai Indian Politician from West Bengal Shambhu Rai Nepali folk singer Sher Dhan Rai Former Chief Minister province no 1 and Minister of Information and Communications Nepal Shiba Kumar Rai scientist Professor of medical microbiology and ex member of National Planning Commission of the government of Nepal Shiva Kumar Rai Nepali writer and the first Gorkha minister in the state of West Bengal Shrawan Mukarung poet Suk Bahadur Rai awarded Aung San Thuriya in 1950 A D Tarundeep Rai Indian Olympiad archer Padma Shri and Arjuna Award winner Tanka Bahadur Rai Indian Politician from Assam belong to Indian National Congress Tek Bahadur Rai politician from Bhutan Member of the National Assembly of Bhutan Tulshi Devi Rai Former minister of Water Security Public Health Engineering Social Justice Empowerment amp Welfare Departments of Sikkim Wilson Bikram Rai comedian actorSee also EditEthnic groups in Bhutan Ethnic groups in Nepal Kiranti languages Rai Languages Sikkimese people South Asian ethnic groups Kirati peopleReferences Edit Population Monograph of Nepal Volume II PDF Sikkim University Ethnographic Report of the Kirat Khambu Rai Community of Sikkim Rai Peoplegrouporg Kirati Rai Lhotshampa in Bhutan www peoplegroups An Anthropological Venture into the Rai Community of Darjeeling Hills West Bengal India Retrieved 24 June 2020 LINGUISTIC AND RELIGIOUS MINORITIES UNDER SSP LED GOVERNMENT PDF Language Contact and Survival An Example of the Rai Migrants Vishnu Rai Tribhuvan University Caste ethnicity and religion of Nepal Ministry of Health PDF The Tibeto Burman Languages of Nepal A General Survey PDF Kirat Khambu Rais of Sikkim and Eastern Himalayas 23 March 2005 via Internet Archive Rai Culture LandNepal www landnepal com Census Of India Sikkim 2011 Rai PDF Village surevy monograph on upper Pedong PDF Census of India 1961 West Bengal amp Sikkim Volume XV1 Part VI 10 Gurkhas 1915 by Vansittart Eden archive org New Past for the Sake of a Better Future Re inventing the history of the Kirant in East Nepal PDF himalaya socanth cam Following the Ancestors and Managing the Otherness Population Monograph of Nepal Volume II Archived copy PDF Retrieved 5 December 2014 a href Template Cite web html title Template Cite web cite web a CS1 maint url status link Social Structure Cultural Value and Transformation A Study of Rai Community in Sikkim PDF Dissertation submitted to Sikkim University in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the award of the degree of Master of Philosophy Dept of Sociology LINGUISTIC AND RELIGIOUS MINORITIES UNDER SSP LED GOVERNMENT PDF Population of Sikkim A Geographical Analysis PDF Significance of thar in the Social Structure of the Khambu Rais Some Observations PDF ir nbu ac in WHERE THE WATERS DRY UP THE PLACE OF ORIGIN IN RAI MYTH AND RITUAL MARTIN GAENSZLE Origins and Migrations in the Extended Eastern Himalayas 3 February 2012 ISBN 9789004228368 books google co in Why all Nepalis should care about a rock in the Koshi River www recordnepal com Tuwachung Jayajum Pilgrimage HAV Himalaya archive Ritual Space Mimesis among the Rai of Eastern Nepal FWF P 23204 G15 Site Jau Khleu Proto history Orphans Thulung Rai version audio record Thulung language amp English translation pangloss cnrs fr Social Reality in Oral Literature A Study of the Rai Folk Narratives from Sikkim PDF The Sacred Complex of Halesi A Hindu Buddhist and Kirata Spiritual Interface PDF saarcculture org Tuwachung Jayajum www indigenousvoice com Salpa Pokhari The Holy Lake of High Nepal www monkboughtlunch com Culture Religious and Spiritual values of Sacred Salpa Pokhari Lake for Biodiversity Conservation in Nepal PDF www env go jp Salpa Pokhari Booklet wwf panda org The History of Anciant and Medieval Nepal PDF In a Nutshell with some Comparative traces of foreign History The Lichhavi and Kirat kings of Nepal telegraphnepal com Archived from the original on 10 December 2017 Retrieved 9 December 2017 Sudarshsn Raj Tiwari Ancient Towns of Kathmandu Valley A Survy of legends Chronicles and Incriptions PDF Kirat Pahichan Historical Documentry YouTube m youtube com Department of archaeology yet to study ruins recovered in dolakha kathmandupost com Ruines of anciant chutaras resting places roundsimaging com KIRAT RAI HISTORICAL DOCUMENTARY m youtube com The Gorkha conquests the process and consequences of the unification of Nepal with particular reference to eastern Nepal PDF Calcutta Oxford University Press 1991 ISBN 978 0 19 562723 7 OCLC 24874742 Pavana Camaliṅa zamina se juṛe eka rajanitijna ka safaranama 2009 ISBN 9788170437512 via books google co in Singh Nagendra Kr 1997 Nepal Refugee to Ruler a Militant Race of Nepal ISBN 9788170248477 via books google co in फ चर अत क रमणम पर ओखलढ ग क गढ Gaenszle Martin Bickel Balthasar Banjade Goma Lieven Elena Paudyal Netra P Rai Ichchha Novel Kishore Rai Stoll Sabine 2005 Worshiping the King God A Preliminary Analysis of Chintang Ritual Language in the Invocation of Rajdeu Regmi Research Private Ltd Lazimpat Kathmandu PDF Victor Barnouw 1955 Eastern Nepalese Marriage Customs and Kinship Organization Southwestern Journal of Anthropology The University of Chicago Press 11 1 15 30 doi 10 1086 soutjanth 11 1 3628994 JSTOR 3628994 S2CID 147405858 Changes in Marriage and Kinship Systems Among Bantawa Rai in Eastern Nepal www researchgate net publication 341979635 Rai funerary rites three days av mandala library virginia edu Khadi industry makes a comeback in Khotang Voices From The Field How SABAH Nepal And Krishna Kumari Rai Reimagined Traditional Allo And Took It To The World hnsa org in Nettles in Nepal www transrural org Rai male dress clothinginnepal Contesting Power Negotiating Influence Rai Shamans and New Religious Movements in Eastern Nepal PDF n book Shamanism and ViolencePublisher AshgateEditors Davide Torri Diana Riboli Kirat Rai Culture Civilization and religion क र त र ईहर क स स क त क स स क र परम पर via www youtube com Suptulung Is The Indigenous Knowledge of Kirat Rai People Khambu Rai Chula Spiritual Bio Geometry 26 July 2020 Subba J R 2009 Mithology Of People Of Sikkim Jr Subba ISBN 9788121210232 Puma and It s sic Ritual Performances PDF elibrary tucl edu np WHY KIRATS ARE CALLED NATURE WORSHIPPERS www bungwakha com Shamanism An Encyclopedia of World Beliefs Practices And Culture PDF Indigenous Knowledge In Mundum And Suptulung Mundum A Case Study of Chintang Ritual Language Thar Pacha amp Samet Khambu Clan System 1 May 2020 Expert NE Travel 18 April 2020 THE RAI TRIBE Federal Structure of Linguistic Members Organisations of Kirat Rai Yayokkha Uk PDF Short Introduction of Rai lingustic group of Nepal Facebook dead link Kirat History amp Genealogy Jeetman Rai Yalung Khatiwada शम भ प रस द Shambhu Prasad खत वड 2 December 2013 आठपहर य र ई ज त क ल कभ ग ल एक अध ययन Aathpahariya Rai Jatiko Lokbhugol Ek Adhyayan Tribhuvan University Journal 28 1 2 383 392 doi 10 3126 tuj v28i1 2 26275 via www nepjol info Bantawa Rai Pacha Samet Facebook Archived from the original on 26 February 2022 Chamling Samai Pacha Facebook Archived from the original on 26 February 2022 Log In or Sign Up to View www facebook com द र गम आव ज क ल ङ सम बन ध क ह ज नक र तथ ईत ह स Sampang Rai Ko Samajik Tatha Arthik Jeewan Padathi PDF Yamphu Rai Pacha Facebook Boyd Michailovsky Kiranti Languages The Sino Tibetan Languages 2017 halshs 01705023 PDF The Languages of India report on the census of India 1901 PDF The Embodiment of Rai Ethnic Identity in Sakela Performance PDF प त प ज न वग KIRATRAI ORG Kirant Identity And Yele Sambat indigenousvoice www indigenousvoice com WADHANGMI क र त म ल क ल क लयम अ ध र त व ढ ङम लयम अ ध र त प र ख क कथ प र ख क ब यथ 2076 via www youtube com स स क त स कटम क र त व म ब ल र ई ज त क मह न च ड ढ व ङ क म 15 September 2020 Rai Songs and Rituals www tirakita com HIYARI क र त म ल क ल क लयम अ ध र त ह य र अ ईय न स ईम च य र ङर म 2076 via www youtube com Saima Chham A Rai Wedding song av mandala library virginia edu Hopmachham In Puma Rai language hav univie ac at media 24kbvd Yamphu Hakpare songs www isaiyamphu com प र वक म ल क ल कभ क ल बर m youtube com LAIBARI LAMWARI MOVIE DILENDRA MUKARUNG RAI m youtube com Kirat Rai Culture Civilization and Religion m youtube com Kirat Rai CommunityFacebook login Facebook Archived from the original on 26 February 2022 Hurla Song of Yamphu movie Senungfu m youtube com isilim Maagazine of Dumi Kirat Rai Fansikhim PDF himalaya socanth cam ac uk Kirat Rai Folk Tune क र त ल क ध न Naulakha via www youtube com व म ब ल र ई र ब स र ल क परम पर क स न ल कथ 15 September 2020 New Lok Geet 2075 2018 Sunkoshi Bagyo Salala Jeeten Rai via www youtube com The impacts of Modernization on the traditional Sakawa Sili festival in the Rai Kirat community of Nepal A case study of the Rai community PDF External links Edit Media related to Rai people at Wikimedia Commons Rai languages of Nepal Indigenous rights Radio Kirat Rai Historical Documentary Worldcat archive related Rai People Two Rai Shamans Rituals From Arun Valley Sankhuwasabha District of East Nepal 1990 Kirat Rai Folk Tune By Kirat Rai Cultural Artist Group Rai Songs and Rituals Academic Research Project on Rai Culture by the University of Vienna Austria The Kirat Rais An indigenous Ethnic Group of Nepal Kirat Rai Community Facebook Page Isilim magazine journals Dumi Kirat Rai Funsikim digitalhimalaya Kirat Rai Script Pavana Camaliṅa zamina se juṛe eka rajanitijna ka safaranama Binayo Kirat Rai Folk Historical Movie 2018 Population Demography of Nepal Volume II Census of India 2011 Language United Kirat Rai Organisation of America Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities NEFIN Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Rai people amp oldid 1134322405, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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