Nepal Research Website on Nepal and Himalayan Studies by Lhakpa Doma Salaka-Pinasa Sherpa and Karl-Heinz Kraemer

Time and temperature in Kathmandu:

Social order  of the Nepali pahar area according to the muluki ain of 1854

1. tagadhari (wearers of the holy cord)

1.1. Upadhyaya Bahun

1.2. Jaisi Bahun (also: Jyotishi, Joshi) (descendants of Upadhyaya men and Bahun widows or divorced Bahun women)

1.3. Thakuri (among them also the Hamal, descendants of Bahun men and Thakuri women)

1.4. Chetri (among them the Khatri Chetri or K.C., descendants of Bahun men and Chetri or Matvali women)

1.4.1. jharra chetri ("pure" Chetri from marriages with performed kanyadan biha)

1.4.2. thimbu chetri ("mixed" Chetri from marriages without performed kanyadan biha)

1.5. Ascetic sects (Sannyasi, Giri, etc.)

1.6. Some Newar castes

2. namasinya matvali (unslavable, alcohol drinking castes)

2.1. Matvali Chetri

2.2. Ethnic groups: Gurung, Magar, some Newar castes, Sunuwar

3. masinya matvali (slavable, alcohol drinking castes)

3.1. Other ethnic groups: e.g. Chepang, Danuwar, Dimal, Hayu, Jirel, Kumhal, Limbu, Manangpa, Panchgaunle, Rai, Rajbansi, Raute, Satar, Sherpa, Tamang, Thakali, Tharu

3.2. Released slaves (Gharti)

4. pani nacalne choichito halnu naparne (castes, from which higher castes are not allowed to accept water, but whose contact does not cause ritual pollution)

4.1. Some Newar castes: Kasai, Kusle, Dhobi, Kulu

4.2. Muslims

4.3. Whites (mleccha)

5. pani nacalne choichito halnu parne (untouchable castes

5.1. Some Parbatiya castes: Kami (blacksmiths), Sarki (shoemakers), Kadara (descendants from Kami/Sarki-marriages), Damai (tailors, musicians), Sunar (goldsmiths), Gaine (Wandermusikanten), Badi (musicians)

5.2. Some Newar castes: Pore, Cyame

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