The Rana Tharu's of Jugera

The Byashi Shaukh from Darchula in the mountains of Far-West Nepal

Dangura Tharu

INTERVIEW WITH YOUNG DANGURA THARU GIRLS IN CHAUDHARI REGION

“We are known for our strong community”

During our visit in Chaudhari region in the far west of Nepal, we interviewed three young Dangura Tharu girls. Manisa, Nisha and Kushuma told us about their cultural background and believes. The heritage of Dangura Tharu people lies in inner Terai, in Dang Deukhuri district. This is why they are called Dangura Tharu. Even though their main community still lives in this area, these days Dangura Tharu are also to be found in other regions in the Central and (Far) West of Nepal.

“When it comes to our cultural heritage you should know about our most important celebration: New year, Maghi*. This festival is also known in other Tharu communities, but it is very important to us that we celebrate according to our own costumes. During Maghi we will start our day with a thorough wash, for this will cleanse us from any deceases we might have. And we always celebrate our new year with a relaxed body and mind. This means we aren’t working and the first three days of our new year will be only about singing, dancing and eating our traditional foods made from rice flour. As we believe that when we start our new year with nice and cheerful activities, there lies a nice and cheerful year ahead of us. Just like we do in any other important occasion, the celebration starts in the house of our Badghar**. From there we dance and sing from door to door for the following three days.”

 

“You should also know that we are known for our strong community. I will give you an example: whenever something big happens, like a marriage or even a death, our entire community will gather to see how we can help out. This means every family will be there to contribute to some of the necessary tasks. Together we decide who is responsible for inviting the guests and who will cook our festive meals. Others will be divided the tasks of doing the dishes or taking care of decoration. If a family fails to support in such an important occasion they will be charged a 200 rupees*** fine.”

“Not only do we share and take care of the necessary tasks together when it comes festivities, we also share and exchange the children of our families. While in the early days marriages were arranged whenever a child was still in it’s mothers womb, these days things work a little differently. Mostly our marriages are still arranged, but some children are asked for their opinion in the matter. Though whenever our brother marries a girl from a certain family, we are obliged to marry a brother of our brothers wife. After our wedding we will move into the family house of our husbands and the wife of our brother moves into ours.”

 

*                Maghi is celebrated in the first day of the month of Magh, which is mid January in the Gregorian calendar.
**         Badghar is the elected village chief and responsible for all decision making in case of any type of problem. He is chosen for his nice, good and social character and not aloud to drink or to do anything else that can bring damage to the community.
***             200 rupees is about 1,65 euro.

Previous text:

We talked with Manisa, Nisha and Kushum Chaudhary about their Dangura Tharu culture and community. They live in Danghadi goun (village). As the local people explained Dangura Tharu people are originaly from migrated from the Dang district in Nepal. Because of this they are called Dangura Tharu. Their main community is still in Dang but ones they spread out over other area's in Central and (Far) West-Nepal. They live in the Tarai and inner Tarai, the part of Nepal that consists of planes, forests and mainly farming fields. 

Kamaiya are also from this same community. Before 2007 they were used as slaves for rich people, mostly higher casts. Still the Kamaiya people where uneducated so live from labour work that consisted of the most physical and they didn't got any salary as they where slaves. At this time they mostly live still in separate villages that are called 'Siver', the land that is given by the government after they recently got liberated as slaves. 

The three girls are studying in class 9 at the Shree Danghadi Higher Secondary School. During our interview they described that Magi is their most important festival. They visit the houses from from their villages from door to door and sings and dance for three days. They are proud to be from the Tharu community and feel happy to show their cultural dressing for our portraits. 

The 'unofficial' Khumba Mela at the Godawari Ashram, Nepal [January 10, 2016 // 2072 1st of Margh]

At January 10, 2016 // 2072 1st of Margh a Kumba Mela took place at Danghadi Godouri Temple. A Kumba Mela is Hinduistic festival where tenthousands of people gather for purifying themselves in a river with holy water. Also they worship their gods and get a blessing from one of the many present baba's and sadu's (hindu priest). Kumba Mela used to take place only in India so this is the first time in Nepal. During our visit we met serveral baba's and sadu's. One of them told us the story about this festival. He explained that this Godouri Khumba Mela is not an official Khumba Mela because it is not organised by the baba's and sadu's but by the local autorities and by entrepenaurs. We had the honor to take portraits of a few of the baba's and sadu's.

Rana Tharu Tribe in Far-West Nepal

In January 2016 for the first time I had the honor to take portraits of the Rana Tharu Tribe in Far-West Nepal.

I started the Micro-Care Nepal Foundation

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Kathmandu Earthquake, 25 april 2015

Finally got to talk with my friends and family in Nepal and luckily they are safe. 

My closest family lives in a little bamboo cottage whats a quit safe place. Last night more then 30 people slept at their little house and even in their chicken run. Tonight more then 40 will arrive. 

My close friend was at school, run outside as the hole building collapsed. The few computers they had were destroyed. Just seen photos of people walking with tears in their eyes while seeing the old historical buildings being completely destroyed. 

All shops are closed. There is no electricity what means in most cases there is also no water.. 

I heard that the greenhouse we recently build as most of my fb followers probably have seen, is almost completely destroyed by the house that is next to it. It collapsed and fell on top of it so the bamboo, plastics and the plants are destroyed. 

I was just one the phone with friends in Kathmandu and they told me there was another earthquake around force 6.0 one hours ago. While being on the line my friend told me there was a new earthquake coming at this time and after that the connection was gone. So now again waiting to hear if they are safe and what was the result of another after shake....

Because photos speak even more:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/nepal/11562833/Massive-earthquake-hits-Kathmandu-Valley-in-Nepal-in-pictures.html?frame=3281320