Janajati People

Aadibashi-Janajati is the umbrella term used to identify the ethnic indigenous people of Nepal. According to 2011 Census 35.81% (9.5 million) people are identified as Janajati. Among 125 listed caste and ethnic groups in the census, 63 are classified as Janajati among which Tharu, Magar, Gurung, Tamang, Newar, Sherpa, Limbu, Rai and Thakali ethnicity are highly visible in the society.

Inclusion of Newar ethnic group in the Janajati list has been controversial. Whereas some other ethnic organizations are demanding to include Khas people (Bahun, Chhettri etc) in the list as well.

All statistics given in this article are from 2011 National census of Nepal . 

Janajati from West Nepal
  1. Magar surnames (1.9 million, 7.1%) Rana, Ale, Thapa, Shrish, Singjali, Rakhal, Gaha, Darlami, Budha(Buda), Gharti, Roka (Rokaya), Jhankri, Budhathoki, Garbuja, Khapangi, Suryabanshi, Raskoti, Bucha, Saru, Khamcha, Pulami, Rajali, Salami, Somai, Dhurel, Balal, Chhantyal, Sarangkoti,Masarangi, Charti, Naamjyali, Palli, Paharai, Damarpal, Pun
  2. Tharu (1.7 million, 6.6%)
  3. Gurung surnames (522,641) Gurung, Tamu
  4. Bhujel, Gharti, Khawas (118,650) (Thnahau, Gorkha, Nawalparasi, Chitwan)
  5. Ghale (26,000) (Gorkha, Lamjung, Manang districts)
  6. Darai (16,789) (Chitwan, Tanahu, Nawalparasi, Gorkha, Dhading etc) (mangolian)
  7. Thakali (13,215) (aka Tin Gaule) (Thak khola region, Mustang district) Sherchan/Serchan, Bhattachan, Gauchan, Tulachan, Lalchan, Hirachan, Jawarchan, Pannachan
  8. Mugali / Mugal (approx 10,000) (Mugu district) (not included in census 2011)
  9. Baram (8140) (aka Barhamu or Baramu) (Gorkha and Tanahun) (Close to Magar & Kirati)
  10. Bote - Majhi (5,019) (Chitwan, Tanahun)
  11. Dura (5,394) (Lamjung and Tanahun districts)
  12. Chhantyal (5,245) (Baglung, Mayagdi districts)
  13. Raji (4,235) (Bheri, Seti and Mahakali zones)
  14. Byasi/ Sauka (3985) (aka Byangsi/ Shauka) (Darchula district, Mahakali zone)
  15. Raute (618) (Karnali and Mahakali regions)
  16. Tangbe / Tangbedanis (approx 400) (Mustang) (not included in census 2011)
  17. Kusunda (273) (aka Ban raja, Mihaq) (Gandaki zone)
Janajati from Central Nepal
  1. Tamang Surnames (1.5 million 5.8%) Tamang, Lama, Moktan, Yonzon, Pakhrin, Ghale, Murmi etc.
  2. Newar Surnames (1.3 million, 5.2%) Rajopadhyaya, Vajracharya, Bare, Shakya, Bhikshu, Gurju, Malla, Pradhan, Raj Bhandari, Joshi, Shrestha, Maske, Karmacharya, Tuladhar, Tamrakar, Kansakar, Awa, Sikarmi, Maharjan, Dangol, Duwal, Sapu, Kabhuja, Musa, Lawat, Awale, Awalay, Kumale, Prajapati, Manandhar, Khusa, Tandukar, Napit, Nakarmi, Karamjit, Bha, Bammala, Mali, Tepe, Citrakar, Putwar, Dali, Balami, Pulu, Ranjitkar, Kusle, Kasain, Khadgi, Shahi, Kulu, Pore, Deola, Chami, Camkhala, Halahulu Detail :List of Newar Castes
  3. Sherpa Surnames (112,946) Sherpa (Mingyak, Goparma, Lama etc)
  4. Chepang/ Praja (68,399) (Makwanpur district)
  5. Thami (28,671) (Dolakha districts)
  6. Bhote (13,397) Bhutiya
  7. Hyolmo/ Yolmo (10,752) (Helambu and Melamchi valley, close to sherpa tribe)
  8. Jirel (5,774) (Jiri valley, close to Sherpa and Sunuwar tribes)

Janjati from Eastern Nepal

 Kirati Tribes (East hills)
  1. Rai (620,004 - 2.3%) Bantawa, Chamling, Dumi, Dilpali, Jerung, Jero (Jerung), Kulung, Khaling, Lohorung, Mewahang, Puma, Rakhali,  Sampang, Shamsuhaang, Sotang, Sunuwar, Thulung, Tamla, Tilung, Wahaling, Wambule, Yakkha, Yamphu, Syangbo
  2. Limbu (387,300 - 1.5%) Limbu, Subba
  3. Sunuwar (55,712) (Kirati tribe - Okhaldhunga, Ramechhap and Dolakha districts)
  4. Kulung (28,613) (Kirati tribe - Similar to Rai)
  5. Yakkha/ Dewan (24,336) (Kirati tribe - lower Arun valley)
  6. Bahing (3,096) (Kirati tribe- Okhaldhunga, Solukhumbu districts)
  7. Hayu/ Wayu (2,925) (Kirat tribe)
Kochila Region (Jhapa and Morang districts)
  1. Rajbanshi (Koch) (115,242)
  2. Santhal (51,735)
  3. Dhimal (26,298)
  4. Tajpuriya (19,213)
  5. Gangai (18,603)
  6. Meche (bodo) (4,867)
  7. Kisan (1,739)
Other Janajati mainly found in east
  1. Kumal / Kumhar (121,196) (Jhapa, Morang, Sankhuwasabha, Dolakha, Dhading, Chitwan etc)
  2. Danuwar Rai (84,115) (looks Mangolian, linguistically aryan) (eastern terai and hills)
  3. Majhi (83,727) (eastern and central terai and pahad)
  4. Dhanuk (219,808) (Saptari, Siraha and Dhanusha districts) (Madheshi)
  5. Jhangad / Dhagar (37,424) (Dhanusha districts) (Madheshi) (dravidian)

Janajati of Tibetan influence
  1. Topkegola (1,523) (Taplejung district) 
  2. Walung (1,249) (Taplejung district)
  3. Thudam (unknown) (Taplejung district) (not included in census 2011)
  4. Lhomi (1,614) (Sankhuwasabha district)
  5. Bahra Gaule (approx 2,000) (Mustang) (not included in census 2011)
  6. Siyar (Chumba) (approx 1,000) (northern Gorkha district) (not included in census 2011)
  7. Larke (some 100s) (northern gorkha) (close to tibetian) (not included in census 2011)
  8. Dolpo (4107) (aka Dolpowa) (northern parts of Dolpa district) 

According to Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities (NEFIN) the definition of Indigenous people is as follows:- (link)

* First settlers  prior to the formation of Gorkha and Nepal state.
* Dominated group and no representation in state organs
* Not included in the Hindu cast system.
* Own language, culture and religion different from the rulers.
* Listed by Nepalese Government Indigenous Act 2002.

Which Includes the following races

Kisan (किसान), Kumal (कुमाल), Gangai (गन्गाई), Gurung (गुरुङ), Chepang (चेपाङ), Chhantyal (छन्त्याल), Jirel (जिरेल), Jhangad (झांगड), Tajpuriya (ताजपुरिया), Tamang (तामाङ), Tangbe (ताङ्वे), Topkegola (तोक्पेगोला), Bhote (भोटे), Mugali (मुगाल), Larke (लार्के), Walung (वालुङ), Lhomi (ल्होमी)/ Shingsaba (शिंसावा), Sherpa (शेर्पा), Siyar (सियार), Hyolmo (ह्योल्मो), Thakali (थकाली - तिन गााउले ), Dolpo (डोल्पो), Thudam (थुदाम), Bahra Gaule (बाह्रागाउ), Lapcha (लाप्चा), Thakali (थकाली), Thami (थामी), Tharu (थारु), Danuwar (दनुवार), Darai (दराई), Dura (दुरा), Dhimal (धिमाल), Newar (नेवार), *Pahri (पहरी), Baram (बराम), Bote (बोटे), Bhujel (भुजेल), Magar (मगर), Majhi (माझी), Meche (मेचे), Yakhkha (याक्खा), Limbu (लिम्वु), Rai (राई), Rajbanshi (राजवंशी), Raji (राजी), Shauka (शौका), Santhal (सन्थाल), Sunuwar (सुनुवार), Hayu (हायू),  * Marfali (मार्फाली) - Thakali,  *Surel (सुरेल), Dhanuk (धानुक), Raute (राउटे), Kusunda (कुसुण्डा)


See Also:-
Tags: aadiwashi, cast, आदिबासी, जनजाती, Janjati

27 comments:

  1. UnknownSeptember 30, 2019 at 6:13 AM

    Is the caste "mehata" janajaati?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnonymousFebruary 18, 2023 at 1:40 AM

      If the person is a "chhetri" then ,no...

      Delete
  2. UnknownDecember 14, 2019 at 9:48 PM

    Pacchai caste k ho

    ReplyDelete
  3. Importance of ICT in EducationJuly 5, 2021 at 11:40 PM

    Newahamg Rai caste was found excluded in 2011 census now please include this caste also

    ReplyDelete
  4. UnknownJuly 25, 2021 at 11:12 PM

    Ojha are janjati ???

    ReplyDelete
  5. jeewanOctober 6, 2021 at 7:31 AM

    I want to know abaut Lawat in Newar.

    ReplyDelete
  6. UnknownDecember 12, 2021 at 9:50 AM

    Janjati vaneko k ho nepali ma?

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousMay 28, 2022 at 12:29 AM

    Mero khyalma bahun khas haina khas bhaneko ta Chetri thakuri Kami damai sarki badi gaine ho Ra yini Haru ko afnoi bhasa dharma saskar saskriti xa

    ReplyDelete
  8. AnonymousJuly 10, 2022 at 12:34 PM

    Tamang ko caste dherai xa aru jati ko herera tyo rakheko milena

    ReplyDelete
  9. AnonymousJuly 14, 2022 at 5:01 AM

    what is the gotra of limbu and tharu?

    ReplyDelete
  10. AnonymousJuly 19, 2022 at 10:06 PM

    kingring is also magar surname

    ReplyDelete
  11. AnonymousAugust 28, 2022 at 10:17 AM

    tharu caste vitra ko caste haru ta lekhekai xaina rahexa! exmple, mahoto, dangaura, rana, raj hatiya, morangya like that!

    ReplyDelete
  12. AnonymousApril 23, 2023 at 6:40 PM

    Gotra applied only by khash bahun and mentioned widely by them too.

    ReplyDelete
  13. AnonymousJuly 23, 2023 at 9:40 AM

    Hello ck pani cast xutya ko xa

    ReplyDelete
  14. Aakash ckJuly 23, 2023 at 9:44 AM

    Ck cast

    ReplyDelete
  15. AnonymousJuly 23, 2023 at 9:45 AM

    Hello sir ck cast pani hunxa add garnu payo

    ReplyDelete
  16. AnonymousJuly 29, 2023 at 4:50 AM

    Giri is janjati or not

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnonymousDecember 2, 2023 at 4:31 AM

      गिरी is ब्राह्मण

      Delete
  17. AnonymousOctober 2, 2023 at 6:50 AM

    Kun chai baula ho yo Raj Bhandari newar vanne

    ReplyDelete
  18. AnonymousOctober 2, 2023 at 6:51 AM

    Rajbhandari ho newar vanya ta.

    ReplyDelete
  19. AnonymousDecember 29, 2023 at 7:44 PM

    Bin cast janjati ma aauxa ki aaudain

    ReplyDelete
  20. AnonymousJanuary 2, 2024 at 9:54 PM

    lopchan nargten tamang ko gotra k hunxa jakari pauna milxa xerti sanga bibaha garda chinha banauda k lekhene

    ReplyDelete
  21. AnonymousMarch 3, 2024 at 5:31 AM

    name of thari please in newar

    ReplyDelete
  22. AnonymousApril 14, 2024 at 6:45 PM

    bara District dhanuk

    ReplyDelete
  23. AnonymousApril 30, 2024 at 5:23 AM

    Danuwar bhaneko k ho??

    ReplyDelete
  24. AnonymousJune 4, 2024 at 5:12 AM

    Newars are not Janajati. They were forcefully made Janajati for political reasons.
    * First settlers prior to the formation of Gorkha and Nepal state.
    * Dominated group and no representation in state organs
    * Not included in the Hindu caste system.
    * Own language, culture and religion different from the rulers.

    1. First settlers sure, but literally every Nepali ethnic group had their own native place. Khas (Bahun, Chhetri) are also natives of Karnali and west Nepal.
    2. Dominated group? Sure many Newars were dominated, but a good section of Newars were never "dominated", in fact they were part of the dominant elite. Pradhans, Mallas, Shresthas, Rajbhandaris, Joshis, Amatyas were made Bada Kajis and Sardars in Rana time. Newars are the most represented in proportion to their population in Nepal's politics, administration, finance and trade, and private sector. If Newars (and especially upper-caste Newars) is dominated then what about Khas Bahun-Chhetri of Karnali?
    3. Not included in Hindu caste system? This is laughable as anybody who knows or have read about Newars knows that Newars have a complex caste system that is based on the same Hindu varna principles as they have their own Brahmins (Rajopadhyayas) down to Dalits/Shudras (Pode, Chyame, Khadgi, Kapali, etc.). Newar caste system is based on the same Manusmriti and occupation-based caste is governed by Hindu idea of purity and pollution. Their whole society revolves around caste structure and it is by no means the same structure of real Janajatis like Magar, Gurung, Tamang, Kirat, Tharu, etc. whose society is based on non-varna idea.
    4. Own language different from the rulers sure, but different culture and religion? Newar Hindus have the same culture and religion than Bahun-Chhetris. Sure there are some differences but the underpinning values and beliefs are based on the same principles. And Newar culture is the dominant and most represented culture of Nepal. Their culture (Dashain, Tihar, Ama/Buwa Mukh Herne, Jatras, etc.) are Nepali culture. Their music, their arts, their architecture, their food, their dress are now Nepali culture. So in what world are they not representative of the dominant culture??

    Hence, Newars are in no way Janajati-Adivasi.

    ReplyDelete

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