Bishwokarmas (Kamis) and Sarkis in Nepal

[Steve Tall]

A recent article:

"Dalits continue to be exploited in Udaypur"
by MAHESHWOR CHAMLING RAI, Republica, Oct 25
http://www.myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=24531

"...Bishwokarmas, people of one of many Dalit castes, craft traditional weapons (Khukuri-knives, sickles, hoes and blades used in ploughs) as required by Brahmins.

"Similarly, Sarkis cobble shoes and Damais tailor clothes. They do not get payments in cash. Brahmins, particularly Bishtas here, give just Rs 10-20 along with some pathis of food grains.

"Dal Man Bishwokarma, a resident of Rautaha village in Udayapur, not only manufactures domestic weapons and equipments used in farming but also repairs them. He provides his service to 21 Bishta families. However, he gets only 10 pathis of maize once a year from each of them.

"During festivals like Dashain and Tihar, Bishta families provide Dal Man with a mana (one mana is roughly equal to half a kilogram) of rice and Rs 20 each. His family has to survive on this meager income for the whole year. "With this income, I find it difficult to make ends meet even for six months," he said. "For the rest of the year, I have to go somewhere else to work as a laborer..."

 

[jdk1]

This is very sad. These folks who make items we treasure and wish to pass on to our children, are treated so poorly. Being able to make something of such quality and beauty with your own hands is a skill handed down from God. It should be honored as such. On the positive side, HI is bucking this trend and this just gives me more justification to purhase more khukuri. I already have more khukuri than trees at my house. Such is life in the suburbs. Thanks for sharing Steve, and Yangdu and Pala, thanks for fighting the good fight. Take care and God bless.

 

[Howard Wallace]

Thanks Steve, for sharing this with us.

It is difficult for me to condem cultural practices I may not fully understand. However, I have no difficulty with supporting businesses that give kamis, sarkis, etc. additional choices and opportunities that may not have been available to them in the past.

 

[Yangdu]

Thank you for sharing, Steve

 

[Steve Tall]

...Being able to make something of such quality and beauty with your own hands is a skill handed down from God. It should be honored as such.

From a message to Bill Martino from the kamis:

"Not only have you and Dai (big brother -- Kami Sherpa) given us money for our work but you have given us back our pride.
All our kamis and I want to thank you for this from the bottom of our hearts."

(from http://www.himalayan-imports.com/Tradition.htm)