The Rautes In Nepal

Introduction of Raute

The Raute are a nomadic indigenous group officially recognized by the Government of Nepal. They are primarily known for their traditional hunting of langur and macaque monkeys for subsistence. In addition to hunting, they regularly gather wild forest tubers, fruits, and greens. Unlike many other communities, they do not engage in gardening, farming, or work as tenants or wage laborers. Instead, they trade handmade wooden bowls and boxes with local farmers to acquire essentials like grain, iron, cloth, and jewelry. They do not sell other forest products, bushmeat, or medicinal plants.

Population and Location

Their estimated population varies, with earlier figures suggesting about 650 individuals living in small settlements within the Karnali and Mahakali watershed regions of western Nepal. However, it's believed that fewer than 200 of these individuals remain truly nomadic hunters. The American anthropologist Johan Reinhard located some of these nomadic Raute in western Nepal in 1969 and conducted ethnographic research among them and the Raji, a related settled agricultural group.

More recent estimates suggest the total population of Raute in Nepal is approximately 180 individuals, comprising roughly 52 families. The Karnali Province of Nepal serves as their primary sanctuary.

Language and Heritage

The Raute language is classified as Tibeto-Burman. It's commonly referred to as "Raute" in most studies, though occasionally it's called "Khamci," which means "our talk" in their language. The Raute use this term as both an autonym (their own name for themselves) and an exonym (the name used by outsiders). Their language is closely related to those spoken by the Ban Raji and Raji ethnic groups in the same region. The closest well-documented language to Raute known currently is Chepang, spoken by an ethnic group in west-central Nepal who were also hunter-gatherers until recently.

The Raute community's heredity is categorized into three main types: Kalyaal, Raskoti, and Samaal. There is no documented history of the Raute, but it's commonly believed they fled from the state at some point and established a distinct nomadic lifestyle in the jungle.

Lifestyle and Cultural Practices

The Raute are unique in Nepal as they are the only nomadic people who never settle permanently. They firmly reject the concepts of permanent settlement, formal education, or agriculture. Their continued survival as full-time nomads into the 21st century is considered remarkable in an era of diminishing cultural diversity. To sustain themselves, they have mastered the craft of wooden products, learned monkey hunting techniques, and adapted fully to forest life. Only the Mukhiya (chief) of the Raute tribe communicates with outsiders regarding their lifestyle and traditions.

The Raute possess extensive traditional knowledge of living in a community. They have successfully sustained their traditions despite widespread acculturation globally. Their ability to maintain a nomadic culture in a rapidly globalizing world is highly commendable and makes them a precious part of Nepal's diverse population.

Like many Hindu societies, the Raute community maintains a patriarchal social hierarchy. However, when it comes to internal management, women often play a more prominent role than their male counterparts.

Division of Labor

There's a clear division of labor between men and women in the Raute community:

• Men are typically involved in making wooden utensils, hunting monkeys, trading products in the market, and collecting food grains.

• Unmarried girls and widows also commonly go to the countryside to collect food grains and deliver orders for craft items.

• Women bear the primary responsibility for household chores and dominate almost every aspect of livelihood, with the exception of socializing, hunting, carpentry, and dancing. They possess indigenous knowledge of spring water sources and have extensive knowledge of the forest and its ecosystem, as it's part of their job to search for medicinal herbs, firewood, and vegetables.

• The relationship between husband and wife is characterized by great respect and love. Married women typically do not travel outside their settlement with anyone other than their husbands.

• Women are mainly responsible for collecting firewood, cooking meals, and raising children. They may also assist males when shifting homes to new locations and building new ones.

• Making wooden utensils and hunting are considered male tasks, and women do not participate in them.

• Children up to the age of 10-14 are not assigned major household responsibilities and primarily spend their days playing and exploring. On special occasions, they might help fetch water or carry small items during relocations.

Hunting Techniques

Monkey hunting is fundamental to the cultural permanence of the Raute's hunting life. Their hunting technique is unique: groups of 8-30 young and middle-aged Raute members go hunting together with nets. They do not use guns or bows and arrows.

Festivals and Celebrations

The Raute observe festivals such as Saune Sankranti, Dashain, Tihar, Chaite Dashain, and Maghe Sankranti, similar to the local Hindu community. For these celebrations, they prepare food, homemade ale, and meat in advance. They enjoy full participation in community events and prefer not to meet strangers or travel outside their settlement during these times. During festivals, they take a complete break from carpentry and hunting. These occasions are marked with great joy, singing, dancing, feasting, and their own ritual performances, with rice, meat, and drinks being central to their feasts.

Citizenship and Protection Efforts

The Karnali Province government is currently working to provide citizenship cards to the nomadic Raute people based on identity cards issued by the Gurans Rural Municipality of Dailekh district. This initiative aims to make it easier for local governments to provide them with social security allowances and other government facilities. The Rautes will receive citizenship cards as residents of Gurans Rural Municipality-8, the location where they obtained their identity cards. The Raute population in this rural municipality is reported to be 146 individuals. The Rautes identify themselves as belonging to the Kalyal, Raskoti, and Rajbanshi clans.

Furthermore, the Gurans Rural Municipality has started collecting fees from visitors to Raute settlements to regulate tourism and protect the Raute's unique culture from unregulated interaction. The fees are structured as follows:

• Rs 10 for residents of the rural municipality

• Rs 20 for Nepali citizens

• Rs 500 for foreign nationals

• Rs 100 for recording audio/video documentaries with mobile phones

• Rs 1,000 for audio/video recordings using cameras

The funds collected from these fees will be used for the upliftment and conservation of the Raute people. The Raute settlement at Kanchhi Bazar, Gurans Rural Municipality-5, has been fenced with thread to help manage visitors. The rural municipality has assigned two staff members to collect fees and has also deputed a health worker and two teachers at the settlement through the Raute Project, implemented by SOSEC, Dailekh, in coordination with Gurans Rural Municipality and with support from AEIN, Luxembourg.