"Stories of Rautes are different from ours as their tradition and culture is peculiar and very different than others".
You might not always be given a nod if you think that we can't live without money in this mercenary world. But, Rautes- the last nomads in Nepal have been living without touching money for ages, and they are the living proof that humans don't need money to survive.
Recognized officially by the Government of Nepal as nomadic ethnic group, Rautes-the last of the nomadic tribe lie under the group of conserved endangered human species
Stories of Rautes are different from ours as their tradition and culture is peculiar and very different than others. They travel from one place to another in a group, and they have a leader to whom everyone must obey. Depending on the location and available resources, the Rautes extend their stay at a place from one week to one month, often leaving a place in case of death of a member. While leaving, they set their huts on fire which are made out of leaves and branches, along with pieces of old clothes.
They do not make permanent settlements, do not practice agriculture, and do not even touch money. They hunt langur and macaque monkeys and collect wild forest tubers and fruits for food. To obtain grain, iron, cloth they trade handmade wooden bowls and boxes to local.
The Rautes are mostly found in the forested areas of Jajarkot and Dang. The people are generally short and stocky. They are dark skinned with Australoid-like features. They speak a Tibeto-Burman language called Khamchi but generally tend to converse in Nepali.
Raute people are driven by three major principles:
1.Remain nomadic.
2.Continue their own native culture, language, and education.
3.Remain hunter-gatherers
The nomadic Raute tribes have not changed their rigid way of life for decades. The life of these nomads is governed by strong taboos.
Allowing counting of the members of the tribe, inviting strangers along for the monkey hunt or give access to the inner area of the camp are all covered by the taboos. These people do not trust strangers, and their children and women are strictly instructed to avoid contact. Also, strangers are not allowed within their camp.
Allowing counting of the members of the tribe, inviting strangers along for the monkey hunt or give access to the inner area of the camp are all covered by the taboos. These people do not trust strangers, and their children and women are strictly instructed to avoid contact. Also, strangers are not allowed within their camp.
Their technique of hunting monkeys is quite unique and interesting.They have the tradition of praying before hunting. To trap the monkeys, they put nets on the ground under the trees where the monkeys dwell and surround the area. The Rautes make a loud sound to scare the monkeys, who leave their trees and get caught in the nets on the ground.
Forestry regulations restrict this lifestyle, but their nomadic ways never involves over-exploitation of forests, leaving time for regeneration. Rautes hunt in groups and share their food and property evenly. They follow their own unique religion, rituals and belief systems and maintain a closed society with limited socialization with outsiders just to fulfill their few material needs. They even restrict the learning of Nepali dialect for girls hence preventing communication and marriage with men from other communities.
The nomadic life in the jungle is a hard life. Infections are extensive, especially in connection with their hard work making wood handicraft, which put a lot of strain on their hand-joint. The kids suffer from parasite worms, causing inflated stomachs. Only a few of the kids survive their first year in the jungle. The people do not have knowledge on medicinal plants and do not have access to health care facilities.
Now Rautes are in the verge of extinction with their population becoming thinner every year. Rautes have held their end tightly in enduring the relationship between human and nature by not yielding at all to the appeals of materialistic world.
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