Uttarakhand Bhotiya

Uttarakhand Bhotiya are an ethno-linguistic group of people residing in the upper Himalayan valleys of the Kumaon and Garhwal divisions of Uttarakhand state, India and in Darchula district, Nepal. These include the Shaukas of Kumaon and Tolchhas and Marchhas of Garhwal. Their name, Bhotiya, derives from the word Bod (བོད་), which is the Classical Tibetan name for Tibet.^[1] Bhotiya is the name used by the Constitution of India, throughout Nepal and by most people of the area. The name Bhutia is also sometimes used, though it more commonly refers to the Sikkimese people.

The Bhotiya speak Almora and other languages belonging to the Tibeto-Burman family, although their dialects are mutually unintelligible to the Kumaoni and Tibetan people. Owing to the social process of Sanskritization, many of them have intermarried with the Hindus over the years. Most of the Bhotiya practice a combination of Tibetan Buddhism, Bön, and Hinduism, although Hinduism is prevalent among the earlier semi-Indian groups, while Buddhism is prevalent among the recent immigrant groups of purer Tibetan origin, such as the Jadh.

Hindu gods such as the weather god Gabla, Runiya, and Suniya, are worshiped to protect their animals from disease. Sidhuwa and Bidhuwa are worshiped to find lost animals.

Ethnic groups

Groups within the Bhotiya of Uttarakhand include:

Rangkas

The isolated Rangkas tribe has a population of 600 and is found in the outskirts of the Mahakali valley. According to Ethnologue, the Rangkas are ethnically related or are of the Johar tribe.^[2]

Byansis

The Byansis (called 'Byangkhupa' in 'Rung'), who are a subgroup of an ethnic group called Rung/Shaukas living along the upper valleys of Mahakali and its western tributary Dhauliganga in the Himalayas where Burang County of western Tibet, Darchula District Nepal and Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand India meet. Byans (or 'Byangkho' in 'Rung') consists of seven villages (Kuti, Rongkang, Nabi, Gunji, Napalchyo, Garbyang, Budi) in Uttarakhand, plus two villages in Nepal Chhyangru and Tinkar.^[3] Three more villages in Nepal, Sitaula (Syangkang), Dumling and Rapla (Rapang)^[4] come under Rung ethnic group, though not considered Byansis, Darmanis or Chaudasis.

The religion practised by the Byansis leans towards Bön-Animism, with influences from Tibetan Buddhism and Hinduism.^[5] Each clan, of which there are many in each village, has its own clan god(s). Ancestral worship ('simi thuma') is a very important part of Byansi religion.

Their language falls under Tibeto-Burman group. Three distinct dialects are spoken in Byans region, Byangkhu lo, Kutpa lo and Tinkar lo.

Jadh

The Jadh can mostly be found in the villages of Jadhang and Nelang between Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, who were both situated at an elevation of 3,400m in the Bhagirathi valley. These towns are only as near as thirty miles from the Tibetan border, and a small number have relocated to Harsil. Their language resembles closely to Tibetan.

Originally traders, the Jadh lead a semi-nomadic lifestyle and maintained social ties with the neighbouring Kinnauries, Jaunsaries and Tibetans. Closure of the trading routes in 1962 led modern Jadhs to take up agrarian lifestyles instead for living.

Today, the Jadh graze their sheep and goats in the Upper Jahnavi valley during the warm summer months, when the alpine vegetation is in full bloom. Upon the coming of autumn, they move down to the lower hills, reaching the temperate forests bordering Rishikesh by October. As of today, each Jadh family could own as many as 200 to 400 animals, principally yak herds. The number of livestock owned by them is a measure of their wealth and economic condition.^[6]

The Jadh used to migrate from these high altitude villages in winter in the past with their entire families. In modern days, some families and a few shopkeepers have decided to stay back in Dunda, which is not far removed from their native homeland, while the rest of them move to the forests around Rishikesh. Upon the coming of spring, the Jadh will return to their homeland.

Most Jadh women wear their hair in a turban or a plait, owing to its cold weather. They wear a costume which resembles a cross between the Tibetan and Garhwali styles. The men, on the other hand, will wear the nomadic Tibetan clothing.

The Jadh are followers of Tibetan Buddhism and to a lesser extent, Bön, although minimal Hindu influence can be seen. Adhering to the caste system loosely, the Jadh classify themselves as Rajput. Buddhist lamas are employed to conduct religious ceremonies and medical treatment.

Social status

As of 2001, the Uttarakhandi Bhotiyas were classified as a Scheduled Tribe under the Indian government's reservation program of positive discrimination.^[7]

See also

• Darma Valley
• Shauka - Johar

References

External links

• Nanda Devi Campaign of the Niti Valley Bhotiyas
• Rongpas of niti-mana ghati