Kami (caste)

Kami (Nepali: कामी) is a community in Nepal, Darjeeling, Sikkim which belongs to the Indo-Aryan ethnic group. Kamis are essentially blacksmiths as well as goldsmiths who are scattered in almost all hilly districts of Nepal, districts of Sikkim, Darjeeling a District of W.B., India and other Nepali people settled parts of India as well . They are also known as "BISHWAKARMA". It is also believed that they are the descendant of God "Lord Bishwakarma". So far it is believed the word kami has been derived from the Sanskrit word "karma" or "kam" which means work. They are the makers of famous Khukuri knives which are used by the Gurkha Army. Apart from that they are also known as the maker of Nepali traditional musical drum "MAADAL". They are also expert in performing the traditional folk dance " MARUNI NRITYA". According to the 2001 Nepal Census, there are a total of 895,954 Kami in the country,of which 96.69% were Hindus and 2.21% were Buddhists Further the said caste has been divided into several sub-caste - DURAL, LAKANDRI, BARAILY, SASANKHAR, DIYALI, SAPKOTA, LAMA-KARKI, LOHAR (LOHAGUN) POUDYEL, GHIMIREY, LAMGADHEY, KALIKOTEY, SETI-SURAL (SILAL), TIRUA, DHAMALA, GADAL, GADAILY, PORTEL, DARNAL, RASAILY, JAR-KAMI, DUDRAJ, GAZMER, KHATI, RUCHAL, MIJAR,LAMICHANEY, SINCHURI, RAMUDAMU, GAHATRAJ.

References

• A Settlement and Smithy of Blacksmiths (Kami) in Nepal
• The life of the lower castes in the western part of Nepal
• Welcome to the world of the Nepalese Kami