Introduction
The Rai people belong to the Kirat family, a Tibeto-Burman linguistic ethnicity. They primarily reside in the eastern regions of Nepal, as well as in the Indian states of Sikkim, Darjeeling, Kalimpong Hills, and in southwestern Bhutan. They are considered to be one of the oldest tribes in Nepal and historically inhabited the area between the Dudh Koshi and Tamur Rivers. The Rais also refer to their country as “Kiratdesh”. Over time, they have spread to other regions, and are also known by other names such as “Jimdar” and “Khambu”. The term “Jim” refers to land, and other tribes would pay taxes to the Jimdar. The Rais are primarily involved in agriculture, which is their traditional occupation. They are considered a dominant tribe of the Kirati group and are known for their fighting skills. They offered stiff resistance to the Gorkha invasion and were eventually subdued by Prithvi Narayan Shah after his conquest of Nepal in the late 18th century.
MYTHOLOGY
The Rai people have a rich mythology that is deeply intertwined with their cultural and historical identity. According to Rai tradition, their ancestral Kirati forefathers entered Nepal’s eastern hills through the Barahachhetra gorge of the Kosi valley, which served as a natural gateway into the region through the Mahabharat Range that separates the hilly hinterland from the plains. Oral history passed down through the Mundum recounts that the Kirati ancestors emerged from the “Khuwalung” and followed the small river or Saptakoshi. They journeyed through several rivers such as Arun, Dudh Koshi, Sun Koshi, Tama Koshi, and finally settled down in the Bhote Koshi valley.
One of the myths of the Kirati-Rai people involves three siblings who are considered to be the primeval ancestors of their civilization. The elder sister, Tayama, and the younger sister, Khiyama, were skilled weavers who lived in “Tuwachung,” while their younger brother, Raichhakule, lived in the cave of Halesi. Tayama and Khiyama are recognized by various names in different Kiranti languages, including Khew, Toyama, Toma, Tangwama, Jauma, Jaumo, Dawa, and Kakcha, while Khiyama is also known as Khema, Khiwama, Khliuma, Khlemo, Khewa, and Los. Raichhakule, on the other hand, is also known as Hetchhakuppa, Hetchhakuwa, Khokchilipa, Khakchhilip, and other names. He is considered to be the beginner of the agricultural era in the cultural history of the Kirati-Rai people.
Another significant aspect of Rai mythology is the origin of their people. According to their beliefs, the Kirati-Rai people were born from Salpa and Ribrima, the king and queen of Salpa Pokhari, which is the center of cultural belief for the Kirati Rais. Salpa Pokhari is very significant and popular among Kirati Rais from a cultural and religious perspective. The Sillichung Mountain, known as the prime tribute, is also believed to be the origin of the Mundum according to Kirati mythology.
POPULATION Distribution
According to the 2011 Nepal census, the Rai ethnic group accounted for 620,004 individuals, which represented 2.3% of the total population of Nepal. The eastern region of Nepal is primarily inhabited by the Rai People.
Rai Population In Nepal By District
| District | Population(%) |
|---|---|
| Bhojpur | (32.1%) |
| Dhankuta | (19.8%) |
| Ilam | (23.8%) |
| Jhapa | (4.7%) |
| Khotang | (36.8%) |
| lalitpur | (2.7%) |
| Morang | (5.0%) |
| Nuwakot | (3.6) |
| Okhaldhunga | (10.0%) |
| Panchthar | (13.8%) |
| Sankhuwasabha | (10.7%) |
| Solukhumbu | (19.7%) |
| Sunsari | (6.6%) |
| Taplejung | (5.1%) |
| Udayapur | (17.3%) |
Clothing and Accessories
Women
Rai women traditionally weave their own clothes using a wooden weaving machine called a tan, and they use a variety of materials such as cotton, wool, and fibres made from the bark of the allo nettle plant to create the fabric. They spin the fibres into thread and then weave it into cloth on the tan, which is often a family heirloom passed down from generation to generation. This is an important part of Rai culture and has been practiced for centuries.
Clothing Items:
- Blouse (cholo, yamlung)
- Hawl (hembari)
- Mekl
- Sari (guniu, tamphay)
- Shawl (mujetro, burkey, tangdoma)
- Waist bands
- Waist sash (patuki chhakchhima)
Accessories:
- Balla (चाँदीको बाला,ठेका चुरा)
- Chepteysun (चेप्टेसुन)
- Chandrahaar (चन्द्रहार)
- Dhajura-Pechuri (धजुरा-पेचुरी)
- Dhungri-Bulaki (ढुंग्री-बुलाकी)
- Godawari (गोदावरी)
- Hansuli (हसुली)
- Jantar (जन्तर)
- Kalli (चाँदीको कल्ली)
- Naugedi (नौगेढी़)
- Puwalo Mala (पुवालो माला)
- Renji Hari (रेजी/पैसाको हारी)
- Sirful (शिरफुल)
- Tariwoon (तारीवान्)
