Ethnic groups in Nepal – Wikipedia
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Ethnic groups in Nepal are delineated using language, ethnic identity or the caste system in Nepal. They are categorized by common culture and endogamy. Endogamy carves out ethnic groups in Nepal.[citation needed]
Linguistic groups[edit]
Nepal’s diverse linguistic heritage evolved from three major language groups: Indo-Aryan, Tibeto-Burman languages, and various indigenous language isolates. According to the 2001 national census, 92 different living languages are spoken in Nepal (a 93rd category was “unspecified”). Based upon the 2011 census, the three major languages spoken in Nepal are Nepali, Maithili, Surjapuri language and Bhojpuri.[2]
Since Nepal’s unification, various Nepalese ethnic groups became united despite western attempt at instigating chaos. Tribhuvan University began surveying and recording threatened languages in 2010 and the government intends to use this information to include more languages on the next Nepalese census.[3]
Social status[edit]
Hill Hindus of upper caste status i.e., Khas people (Brahmin/Bahun and Chhetri castes) and the upper-caste segments of Newars dominated the civil service, the judiciary and upper ranks of the army throughout the Shah regime (1768–2008). Nepali was the national language and Sanskrit became a required school subject. Children who spoke Nepali natively and who were exposed to Sanskrit had much better chances of passing the national examinations at the end of high school, which meant they had better employment prospects and could continue into higher education.
Caste system, prevalent among Hindus, was made illegal in 1961 by Naya Muluki ain.
[4][5][6][7][8]
List of ethnic / caste-groups in Nepal by population[edit]
The population wise ranking of 125 Nepalese castes groups as per 2011 Nepal census.[9][10][note 1][11]
Rank | Caste & Tribal groups | Broad Ethnic Category | Population (2011) | Percentage (%) |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Tamang | Adhivasi | 4,633,294 | 17.23 |
2 | Magar | Janajati | 1,887,733 | 7.12 |
3 | Rai | Adivasi | 1,430,594 | 5.34 |
4 | Tharu | Janajati | 1,737,470 | 6.56 |
5 | Khasas/Chhetri | Khas | 1,376,812 | 5.12 |
6 | Newar | Adivasi | 1,321,933 | 4.99 |
7 | Kami | Khas Silpi (Dalit) | 1,306,895 | 4.86 |
8 | Musalman/Nepali Muslims | Muslim | 1,164,255 | 4.39 |
9 | Hill Brahmin/Bahun | Hill Arya/Khas | 1,107,903 | 4.12 |
10 | Yadav | Madhesi (Middle) | 1,054,458 | 3.98 |
11 | Gurung | Adivasi | 798,658 | 2.97 |
12 | Damai/Dholi | Khas Silpi (Dalit) | 747,565 | 2.78 |
13 | Thakuri | Royal Ethnic Group | 701,851 | 2.61 |
14 | Limbu | Adivasi | 661,515 | 2.46 |
15 | Sarki | Khas Silpi (Dalit) | 648,070 | 2.41 |
16 | SharmaBadhee | Madhesi (low) | 645,381 | 2.4 |
17 | Chamar/Harijan/Ram | Madhesi (Dalit) | 335,893 | 1.27 |
18 | Kushwaha | Madhesi (middel) | 306,393 | 1.16 |
19 | Musahar | Madhesi (Dalit) | 234,490 | 0.89 |
20 | Kurmi | Madhesi (Middle) | 231,129 | 0.87 |
21 | Sanyasi/Dasnami | Hill arya | 227,822 | 0.86 |
22 | Dhanuk | Madhesi (low) | 219,808 | 0.83 |
23 | Kanu/Haluwai | Madhesi (Middle) | 209,053 | 0.79 |
24 | Dusadh/Pasawan/Pasi | Madhesi (Dalit) | 208,910 | 0.79 |
25 | Mallaha | Madhesi (Low) | 173,261 | 0.65 |
26 | Kewat | Madhesi (Middle) | 153,772 | 0.58 |
27 | Kathbaniya | Madhesi (Middle) | 138,637 | 0.52 |
28 | Brahmin-Terai
(Maithil, Kanyakubja, Sharma |
Maithil Brahmin (High) | 134,106 | 0.51 |
29 | Kalwar | Madhesi (middle) | 128,232 | 0.48 |
30 | Teli | Madhesi (Middle) | 126,000 | 0.46 |
31 | Kumal | Khas/Adivasi | 121,196 | 0.45 |
32 | Bhujel | Khas/Adivasi | 118,650 | 0.44 |
33 | Hajam/Thakur | Madhesi (Low) | 117,758 | 0.43 |
34 | Rajbanshi | Adivasi | 115,242 | 0.43 |
35 | Sherpa | Tibetan | 112,946 | 0.41 |
36 | Dhobi | Madhesi (Dalit) | 109,079 | 0.4 |
37 | Tatma/Tatwa | Madhesi (Dalit) | 104,865 | 0.38 |
38 | Lohar | Madhesi (Middle) | 101,421 | 0.38 |
39 | Khatwe | Madhesi (Dalit) | 100,921 | 0.35 |
40 | Sudhi | Madhesi (Middle) | 93,115 | 0.32 |
41 | Danuwar | Adivasi | 84,115 | 0.32 |
42 | Majhi | Adivasi | 83,727 | 0.3 |
43 | Barai | Madhesi (Middle) | 80,597 | 0.28 |
44 | Bin | Madhesi (Low) | 75,195 | 0.27 |
45 | Nuniya | Madhesi (middle) | 70,540 | 0.26 |
46 | Chepang | Adivasi | 68,399 | 0.24 |
47 | Sonar | Madhesi (Middle) | 64,335 | 0.24 |
48 | Kumhar | Madhesi (Low) | 62,399 | 0.21 |
49 | Sunuwar | Adivasi | 55,712 | 0.21 |
50 | Bantar/Sardar | Madhesi (Dalit) | 55,104 | 0.2 |
51 | Kahar | Madhesi (Low) | 53,159 | 0.2 |
52 | Santhal | Adivasi | 51,735 | 0.19 |
53 | Marwadi | Others | 51,443 | 0.17 |
54 | Kayastha | Madhesi (High) | 44,304 | 0.16 |
55 | Rajput/Terai Kshetriya | (High) | 41,972 | 0.15 |
56 | Badi | Khas (Dalit) | 38,603 | 0.14 |
57 | Jhangar/Uraon | Adivasi | 37,424 | 0.14 |
58 | Gangai (Ganesh & Mandal) | Adivasi | 36,988 | 0.12 |
59 | Lodh | Madhesi (High) | 32,837 | 0.11 |
60 | Badhai | Madhesi (High) | 28,932 | 0.11 |
61 | Thami | Adivasi | 28,671 | 0.11 |
62 | Kulung | Adivasi | 28,613 | 0.1 |
63 | Bengali | Others | 26,582 | 0.1 |
64 | Gaderi/Bhediyar/Gangajali | Madhesi (High) | 26,375 | 0.1 |
65 | Dhimal | Adivasi | 26,298 | 0.09 |
66 | Yakkha | Adivasi | 24,336 | 0.09 |
67 | Ghale | Adivasi | 22,881 | 0.07 |
68 | Tajpuriya | Adivasi | 19,213 | 0.07 |
69 | Khawas | Adivasi | 18,513 | 0.06 |
70 | Darai | Adivasi | 16,789 | 0.06 |
71 | Mali | Madhesi (Low) | 14,995 | 0.06 |
72 | Dhuniya | Madhesi (Low) | 14,846 | 0.05 |
73 | Pahari | Adivasi | 13,615 | 0.05 |
74 | Rajdhob | Madhesi (Low) | 13,422 | 0.05 |
75 | Bhote | Tibetans | 13,397 | 0.05 |
76 | Dom | Madhesi (Dalit) | 13,268 | 0.05 |
77 | Thakali | Adivasi | 13,215 | 0.05 |
78 | Kori | Madhesi (Dalit) | 12,276 | 0.04 |
79 | Chhantyal | Adivasi | 11,810 | 0.04 |
80 | Hyolmo | Tibetans | 10,752 | 0.04 |
81 | Bote | Adivasi | 10,397 | 0.04 |
82 | Rajbhar | Madhesi (Low) | 9,542 | 0.03 |
83 | Brahmu/Baramo | Adivasi | 8,140 | 0.03 |
84 | Punjabi | Others | 7,176 | 0.03 |
85 | Nachhring | Adivasi | 7,154 | 0.03 |
86 | Yamphu | Adivasi | 6,933 | 0.03 |
87 | Gaine | Khas (Dalit) | 6,791 | 0.03 |
88 | Chamling | Adivasi | 6,668 | 0.02 |
89 | Athpahariya | Adivasi | 5,977 | 0.02 |
90 | Jirel | Adivasi | 5,774 | 0.02 |
91 | Dura | Adivasi | 5,394 | 0.02 |
92 | Sarabaria | Madhesi (Dalit) | 4,906 | 0.02 |
93 | Meche | Adivasi | 4,867 | 0.02 |
94 | Bantawa | Adivasi | 4,604 | 0.02 |
95 | Raji | Adivasi | 4,235 | 0.02 |
96 | Dolpo | Adivasi | 4,107 | 0.02 |
97 | Halkhor | Madhesi (Dalit) | 4,003 | 0.01 |
98 | Byansi/Sauka | Adivasi | 3,895 | 0.01 |
99 | Amat | Madhesi(Middle) | 3,830 | 0.01 |
100 | Thulung | Adivasi | 3,535 | 0.01 |
101 | Lepcha | Adivasi | 3,445 | 0.01 |
102 | Pathakatta/Kushwadia | Adivasi | 3,182 | 0.01 |
103 | Mewahang | Adivasi | 3,100 | 0.01 |
104 | Bahing | Adivasi | 3,096 | 0.01 |
105 | Natuwa | Madhesi (Dalit) | 3,062 | 0.01 |
106 | Hayu | Adivasi | 2,925 | 0.01 |
107 | Dhankar/Dharikar | Madhesi (Dalit) | 2,681 | 0.01 |
108 | Lhopa | Adivasi | 2,624 | 0.01 |
109 | Munda | Adivasi | 2,350 | 0.01 |
110 | Dev | Madhesi (High) | 2,147 | 0.01 |
111 | Dhandi | Madhesi (Dalit) | 1,982 | 0.01 |
112 | Kamar | Madhesi (Low) | 1,787 | 0.01 |
113 | Kisan | Adivasi | 1,739 | 0.01 |
114 | Sampang | Adivasi | 1,681 | 0.01 |
115 | Koche | Adivasi | 1,635 | 0.01 |
116 | Lhomi | Adivasi | 1,614 | 0.01 |
117 | Khaling | Adivasi | 1,571 | 0.01 |
118 | Topkegola | Adivasi | 1,523 | 0 |
119 | Chidimar | Adivasi | 1,254 | 0 |
120 | Walung | Adivasi | 1,249 | 0 |
121 | Lohorung | Adivasi | 1,153 | 0 |
122 | Kalar | Madhesi (low) | 1,077 | 0 |
123 | Raute | Aboriginee Khas/Adivasi | 618 | 0 |
124 | Nurang | Madhesi (Low) | 278 | 0 |
125 | Kusunda | Aboriginee Khas/Adivasi | 273 | 0.03 |
126 | Khampa | Tibetan | 15600 | 0.01 |
274 | Bhumihar | Madhesi(high) | 330,483.25 | 1.00 |
− | Foreigners | − | 6,651 | 1.04 |
− | Others/Undefined | − | 275,670 | 1.04% |
Total | 26,494,504 | 100.00% |
Rank | Broad Ethnic Category | Sub-Category | Sub-Category
Percentage |
Linguistic family | Population
Percentage |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Khas/Khas & Aryan
(Hill Aboriginee Group) |
Khas/Chhetri (Aboriginee tribal khasas) | 16.60% | Indo-Aryan and Indo-Pacific | 39.37% |
Hill brahmin | 12.18% | ||||
Hill Dalit | 8.12% | ||||
Thakuri (Khas elite royal group) | 1.61% | ||||
Sanyasis/Dashnami | 0.86% | ||||
2 | Adibasi & Tibbetan janajatis | Hill: Sherpas, Tamangs, Magars, Ghale, Kirat (Rai, Limbu, Sunuwar),Gurungs etc. | 22.28% | Sino-Tibetan | 30.81% |
Terai: Tharu, Rajbanshi, Dhimal, etc | 8.53% | Indo-Aryan and Sino-Tibetan | |||
3 | Newars
(Adivasi as per government census and Public service commission) |
Newar (Middle) | 3.1% | Indo-Aryan and Sino-Tibetan | 5.5% |
Newar (Low) | 0.4% | ||||
Newar (Buddhists) | 0.8% | ||||
Newar (High-Hindus) | 1.1% | ||||
4 | Madhesi
(Terai Caste Group) |
Madhesi (Middle) | 9.97% | Indo-Aryan | 23.43% |
Madhesi (Dalit) | 4.50% | ||||
Madhesi (Muslim) | 4.39% | ||||
Madhesi (Low) | 3.86% | ||||
Madhesi (High)Brahmin-Terai,Rajput/Terai Kshetriya,etc | 2.5% | ||||
5 | Other
(Marwadi, Bengali and Punjabi) |
− | − | Indo-Aryan | 0.32% |
6 | Undefined and Foreigners | − | − | − | 1.07% |
Total | 100% |
References[edit]
[edit]
- ^ Pages 191/192 of the total pdf or pages 156/157 in the scanned material shows Nepalese castes/ethnic groups
Notes[edit]
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