Mythologies of the Darai People

Darai people (Nepali:दरै) are an indigenous ethnic tribal community native to Nepal. Most of their population live in hills and inner terai of Nepal in the banks of Narayani river and Madi river with the largest concentration in Chitwan, Tanahu and Nawalparasi districts. According to census of 2071 S B(2014-2015), their population is 11,595. Most of them follow Hinduism and celebrate festivals such as Tihar(called Sohorai), Jarmathi, Teej, Amawsha, Badkibhat, Faguwa, Ghata Naach and Dashain. Darai people use earthen pots for daily works, such as to carry water and prepare alcoholic drinks. They use limited metal tools made of iron, bronze, copper and aluminium. They also build a distinct house called Ghumaune Ghar. There are various theory on the origin of Darai people. They are believed to be the inhabitant of Terai region in the banks of Narayani river since several thousand years. Another theory is that they are the Indian Rajputs migrants who came to Nepal to escape Muslim invasion of India. Some theorize they came from Darbhanga of India, hence the name Darai. Next theory is that Prithvi Narayan Shah divided the Karnali region into various daras which is the origin of the word Darai. Darais is also mentioned in the Mahabharat, Manusmriti and Haribanshapurana.

Darai language is one of the minority language with a least number of speakers in Nepal . The name of the language is Darai which is the only known name in current usage in Nepal. It is an Indo Aryan in the language family. Darai is one of the nationalities of Nepal. Darai is an ethnic group. Darai caste is one of marginalised Group of Indigenous in Nepal. They are the Indigenous people of Nepal since long . Total number of Darai ethnic is 14,859 in Nepal, according to Census 2001.They speak 'Darai' language as their mother tongue. 10,210 Darai people speak their Darai language in Nepal. The greatest number of them have been living in the inner Nepal for several thousand years. Most of this people live in Chitwan, Tanhun, Nawalparasi, Gorkha, Palpa and Dhading.

The Darai people - better known for their skills in weaving bamboo baskets - use 28 animal species to treat 22 different types of ailments, and 76 plant species to treat 36 types of ailments ranging from simple diseases like common cold and headache to complex diseases like typhoid, the research found. "They did not use single plants or animal products for a single disease, but they used a mixture of multiple plants or animal products to treat an ailment; reciprocally, a single animal or plant product could be used to treat many different ailments," says Dr Nanda Bahadur Singh, author of the article and Professor of Ethno-genomics and Ethno-biology at Central Department of Zoology, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur, Kathmandu.

If you belong to the Darai people, you had better get along with your brothers and sisters in law, especially if your spouse has health problems. The reason is that you will marry your spouse's younger sibling if he or she dies. Most commonly, brothers from one family each marry sisters from another family. So the two families joined by matrimony have many good reasons to get along. If there are disputes, there is a community council to solve them. This community council also helps prevent child marriages, divorce and dowry abuses among the Darai people. They live in rural areas of Himachal Pradesh and Punjab. Those in Himachal Pradesh traditionally carried people across rivers either in boats or on inflatable skins. Today many are fishermen, rope makers or common laborers on roads, dams, or rock quarries. A few of these scheduled caste members hold white-collar jobs. They take advantage of government programs to help them obtain land, fertilizers, livestock and higher literacy. This helps to supplement their incomes. They speak either Bilaspuri or Kangri, both Indo-Aryan languages. There are members of their community living in nearby Punjab who speak the Punjabi language. The Darai people to the west in Punjab state traditionally transported timber by river floats, but today most are landless laborers. The Darai people are almost entirely Hindu. Like most members of low status communities, they worship several gods, and their form of Hinduism resembles animism.

In the heart of Nepal's lush landscapes, the Darai people nurture a unique cultural legacy intertwined with nature. This exploration of the Darai ethnicity illuminates their historical richness, vibrant traditions, and the harmonious relationship they share with the environment. Delving into their customs, festivals, and sustainable practices, this article portrays the Darai community as guardians of heritage, resilience, and environmental balance. Drawing from extensive research and credible sources up to September 2021, this article delves into the captivating world of the Darai people. The Darai people, rooted deeply in Nepal's history, possess a cultural heritage that thrives amidst the verdant wilderness. Originating from ancient indigenous practices, their customs serve as homage to their ancestors and the natural world. The Darai community's festivals and rituals, celebrated amid the forests and rivers, are vibrant expressions of their cultural significance and environmental reverence. Darai customs are a vibrant tapestry of cultural identity and ecological awareness. Their festivals and ceremonies, often immersed in nature, echo their deep respect for the environment. These customs not only honor their heritage but also underscore their commitment to environmental stewardship. The Darai people's sustainable practices exemplify their unique way of living in harmony with the natural world, preserving their culture for future generations. The Darai ethnicity stands as a beacon of Nepal's cultural diversity and environmental harmony. By recognizing, respecting, and supporting the unique cultural identity of the Darai community, Nepal ensures their legacy becomes an integral part of the nation's heritage. Embracing their customs, understanding their challenges, and endorsing their cultural and environmental preservation efforts are crucial. The story of the Darai people not only underscores their historical heritage and eco-conscious practices but also their resilience, echoing through Nepal's forests and rivers, preserving their extraordinary cultural legacy for generations to come.