Nepal, characterised as an agriculture country has population of 26,494,504(Census
2011) is one of least develop contries in world that is known for its low per capita
income of $ 472(IMF 2013). Low level of literacy rate, high mortality rate, high birth
rate, and pervasive poverty are its characterstcs. The large propotion of its population
are under poverty line. The population under poverty line is 25.16 % (CBS 2011) but
the data is not accurate that how many janajati, Madhesi and Dalit people are under
poverty line. Income inequality is the main feature of the country that effects on the
consumption pattern of the people. This raises the gap between the poor and the rich
in the country.
Nepal is a landlocked country of extreme diversity in terms of ethnicity, language,
religion, society, culture and economic developed as well as topography. According to
2011 census record more than 126 cast ethinic groups and 123 languages are found.
Chhetri is the largest caste/ethnic groups having 16.6% (4,398,053) of the total
population followed by Brahman-Hill (12.2% ; 3,226,903), Magar (7.1% ; 1,887,733),
Tharu (6.6% ; 1,737,470), Tamang (5.8% ; 1,539,830), Newar (5% ; 1,321,933), Kami
(4.8% ; 1,258,554), Musalman (4.4% ; 1,164,255), Yadav (4% ; 1,054,458) and Rai
(2.3% ; 620,004).
Nepal covers 0.03 percent area of World and 0.3 percent of Asia. That is on the
southern reigion surrounded by two giant countries; India and China. The total area of
Nepal is 147181sq.km that is located between 26022' to 30027' north latitude and
8404' to 88012' east longitude. The averae length from east to west is 885 km and its
average breadth is 193 km.
All societies are characterized by inequality, Nepal is no exception. So it is a nation of
village inhabited by diverse ethnic groups, speaking different langue, holding different
faiths and having different culture, different economic system. Apparently, Nepalese
society is a mosaic soociety and and it is rich in its culture diversity. So the entire
ethnic groups of Nepal can be divided into three communities as: original Nepalese,
Tibeto-Nepalese and Indo-Nepalese races. The original Nepalese tribes include
several ethnic groups that have existed in the country from ancient period. The other
two groups infiltrated into the country later. The original Nepalese community
constitutes to major sub-groups such as Satar, Danuwar, Rajbanshi, Sunwar, Kusunda
and Majhi (ibid, p.56-60).
Since Nepali society is a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multi-lingual country, one
can find a lot of indigenous people in Nepal. They have inhabited Nepal for thousand
of years but unfortunately, they are still marginalized wherever they are. They also
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have known as first peoples.natives, nomads, tribal, aborigines, and minority and so
on. However, there are many such a types of people or tribes in Nepal who have been
left behind in the main stream of development. They are still living in primitive stage
and unable to meet their basic needs (food, cloths, shelter etc.)
The Doney are one of the Indo-Aryan tribes of Nepal. They live in uper slops of the
hills mainly Sindhupalchok, kavre, Sindhuli, Lalitpur, Nuwakot, Makwanpur,
Udayapur, Dhading and Chitwan district, also known as the upper Mahabharat range.
Moreover, the population of Danuwars is in large number also in Sindhupalchok
district. They are still living in a semi-no Indrawotic life with miserable
conditions.their socio-economic condtion is too poor and education and politics is for
from their access. And geographically, they are isolated.
Their occupation is agriculture but it is insufficient to sustain life. However they are
still dependent on the agriculture for additional food supply (Ribolli, 2000). These
people have their own language, culture, and behavior patterns. They are god-fearing,
honest and humble followed by superstition and ignorance.
This study is a focus socio-economic status of Doney of Sindhupalchok distric.
Although the Danuwars of Sindhupalchok are the study concerted in Bhimtar VDC
which is too remote with density population of Doneys. The study area lies to the
North-West of Araniko Highway, the district headquarter of Sindhupalchok.