The Chepang are one of Nepal’s most disadvantaged indigenous groups and are classified under the ‘highly marginalized’ category on the basis of a set of sociology- economic indicators, such as population size, language literacy rate, house type, landownership, occupation and access to higher education. Although no longer a nomadic tribe, the Chepangs have largely preserved their unique tribal identity by maintaining their traditional knowledge system and continuing to practice animism. Their language, which they themselves call Chyo-bang (Chyo means hilltop and Bang stone), belongs to the Tibeto-Burman language family and is closely related to the speech of the Raute and Raji, two other marginalized (endangered) communities of Nepal. The Chepang population totals around 50,000 (0.23% of Nepal’s Population) and is scattered mainly across districts of Chitwan (40%), Makwanpur (29%), Dhading (20%) and Gorkha (5%) where the majority live in sheds made of tree branches (see photo). According to the recent Nepal Living Standard Survey, almost 90 percent of Chepangs live below the poverty line6, earning around 6,000 Nepali rupees per capita annually. This Field Bulletin looks at the challenges of the Chepang community to sustain their traditional way of living in a rapidly changing Nepali society. It highlights some of the main obstacles Chepang people face in terms of accessing education services, livelihoods, development aid and participation in governance. The Field Bulletin describes some of the positive steps taken by the Government of Nepal (GoN) as well members of the Constituent Assembly (CA) to enhance marginalized groups’ inclusion and Participation in decision making processes. concludes with recommendations that build on the suggestions provided by Chepangs themselves, during the course of this research.
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Publisher:
UNRCHCO
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(2012
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Type / Script:
Annual Report
in English
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Keywords:
INCOME GENERATION, INDIGENOUS, MARGANILAZATION, LAND OWNERSHIP, TOPOGRAPHY, GEOLOGY, ANIMISM, FOOD INSECURITY, DEVELOPMENT AID, CHARITY, EMPOWERMENT, DISADVANTAGED GROUP, PUBLIC SERVICE, DISCRIMINATION, ILLITERACY, CHEPANG, BUSINESS, OCCUPATION, EMPLOYMENT, RURAL EMPLOYMENT, CULTURAL AND SOCIAL ANTHROPOLOGY, CULTURAL IDENTITY, CULTURE CONFLICT, ETHNIC AND RACIAL GROUPS, NATIONAL CHARACTERISTICS, NATIONALISM, PREJUDICES, SOCIAL GROUPS, SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY SUBCULTURE, ETHNIC CONFLICT, TOLERANCE
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Thematic Group:
UNRCHCO (UNRCO)
:
UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator Office (UN Resident Coordinator Office)
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Thesaurus:
14.05.03
- Social Development
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Reference Link:
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