Sarki (ethnic group)

Sarki also indigenous ethnic group of Nepal, occupational caste

For other uses, see Sarki (disambiguation).

Ethnic group

Sarki

सार्की/मिजार

Regions with significant populations
Himalayas
Nepal
Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Dooars
Bhutan
Burma
Nepal| 452,229 (1.5% of Nepal's population)[1]
Languages
Nepali, Thakali some also speak Gurung
Religion
Hinduism 95.46% (2011), Christianity 4.34% (2011)[2]
Related ethnic groups
indigenous people, Damai, Badi, Kami, Gandarbha/Gaine

Sarki/Mijar (Nepali: सार्की) is an occupational caste in Nepal.[3] They are found in the region of the Himalayas, Nepal, across the hills of Darjeeling & Kalimpong and in Terai area of Dooars. They are experts in playing their musical instrument "Madal" and performing dance in a group which is also called “Khayali Marooni”. According to the 2021 Nepal census, Sarki makes up 1.55% of Nepal's population (452,229 people).[4] Sarki are referred to in the Nepali and Thakali languages.[5]

Due to many caste-based discriminations in Nepal, the government of Nepal legally abolished the caste system and criminalized any caste-based discrimination, including "untouchability" (the ostracism of a specific caste) - in the year 1963 A.D.[6] With Nepal's step towards freedom and equality, Nepal, previously ruled by a Hindu monarchy, was a Hindu nation which has now become a secular state,[7] and on 28 May 2008, it was declared a republic,[8] ending it as a Hindu Kingdom[9]

The 1854 Nepalese Muluki Ain (Legal Code) categorized Sarki as a category.[10] Sarki is categorized under "Hill Dalit" among the 9 broad social groups, along with Damai, Badi, Kami and Gaine by the Government of Nepal.[11]

## Geographic distribution

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At the time of the 2011 Nepal census, 374,816 people (1.4% of the population of Nepal) were Sarki.[12] The frequency of Sarki by province was as follows:

* Gandaki Province (4.1%)
* Karnali Province (2.6%)
* Sudurpashchim Province (1.7%)
* Lumbini Province (1.5%)
* Bagmati Province (1.3%)
* Koshi Province (1.0%)
* Madhesh Province (0.1%)

The frequency of Sarki was higher than national average (1.4%) in the following districts:

* Gorkha (7.6%)
* Jumla (7.1%)
* Parbat (6.7%)
* Arghakhanchi (6.1%)
* Baglung (5.6%)
* Lamjung (5.3%)
* Bajura (5.0%)
* Dhading (4.8%)
* Gulmi (4.8%)
* Dadeldhura (4.5%)
* Tanahun (4.3%)
* Pyuthan (4.2%)
* Syangja (4.0%)
* Sindhuli (3.6%)
* Myagdi (3.4%)
* Kalikot (3.2%)
* Palpa (3.2%)
* Dailekh (3.1%)
* Ramechhap (3.1%)
* Okhaldhunga (2.9%)
* Dolpa (2.8%)
* Khotang (2.8%)
* Udayapur (2.6%)
* Kaski (2.5%)
* Doti(2.4%)
* Surkhet (2.4%)
* Bhojpur (2.3%)
* Humla (2.3%)
* Bajhang (2.2%)
* Dang (1.9%)
* Kavrepalanchok (1.9%)
* Jajarkot (1.8%)
* Salyan (1.8%)
* Western Rukum (1.8%)
* Nuwakot (1.7%)
* Kanchanpur (1.6%)
* Terhathum (1.6%)
* Sindhupalchowk (1.5%)

## Language

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The Nepali language spoken by Khas Arya is their mother tongue. They also speak Gurung .

## References

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1. ^ National Statistics Office (2021). National Population and Housing Census 2021, Caste/Ethnicity Report. Government of Nepal (Report).
2. ^ Central Bureau of Statistics (2014). Population monograph of Nepal (PDF) (Report). Vol. II. Government of Nepal.
3. ^ Whelpton 2005, p. 31.
4. ^ National Statistics Office (2021). National Population and Housing Census 2021, Caste/Ethnicity Report. Government of Nepal (Report).
5. ^ Vinding, Michael (1998). The Thakali: A Himalayan Ethnography. Serindia Publications. pp. 388, 443. ISBN 9780906026502.
6. ^ Welle (www.dw.com), Deutsche. "Nepal: Deadly caste-based attacks spur outcry over social discrimination | DW | 16.06.2020". DW.COM. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
7. ^ "Nepal king stripped of most powers". CNN. 18 May 2006. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
8. ^ "Nepal votes to abolish monarchy". BBC News. 28 May 2008. Archived from the original on 7 January 2017. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
9. ^ Crossette, Barbara (3 June 2001). "Birenda, 55, Ruler of Nepal's Hindu Kingdom". The New York Times. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
10. ^ Gurung, Harka (2005) Social Exclusion and Maoist Insurgency. Paper presented at National Dialogue Conference at ILO Convention 169 on Indigenous and Tribal peoples, Kathmandu, 19–20 January 2005.
11. ^ "Nepal Census 2011" (PDF).
12. ^ 2011 Nepal Census, District Level Detail Report

## Bibliography

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* Whelpton, John (2005). A History of Nepal. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0521804707.