Madheshi people: Difference between revisions
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{{infobox ethnic group| |
{{infobox ethnic group| |
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|group = Madheshii People |
|group = Madheshii People |
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|region1 = {{flag|Nepal}} |
|region1 = {{flag|Nepal}} |
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|pop1 = ± |
|pop1 = ±35% total population, Total population Around 8500000 (2011)<ref name="cbs.gov.np">http://cbs.gov.np/</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://madhesh.org/articles/peaceful-resolution-of-ethnopolitical-movement-in-nepal-madhesh/|title= Madhesi are 38% of total population - Nepal Census Bureau of Statistics, 2001 A.D}}</ref><ref name=CS1>{{Country study|country=Nepal |abbr=np |editor=Savada, Andrea Matles |date=1991 |section=Social Classes and Stratification |pd=yes}}</ref><ref name=CNN>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/03/19/nepal.violence/index.html?iref=allsearch |title=Three Nepali Madhesi killed in pre-election violence in Nepal |first=Manesh |last=Shrestha |publisher=CNN online |date=2008-03-19 |accessdate=2011-05-07}}</ref> |
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|langs =[[Tharu language|Tharu]], [[Bajjika]], [[Nepali language|Nepali]], [[Khadiboli|Rana-Tharu]], [[Rajbanshi]] [[Magahi]] etc.<ref name="cbs.gov.np"/> |
|langs = [[Maithali]], [[Bhojpuri]], [[Urdu]], [[Awadhi]], [[Tharu language|Tharu]], [[Bajjika]], [[Nepali language|Nepali]], [[Khadiboli|Rana-Tharu]], [[Rajbanshi]] [[Magahi]] etc.<ref name="cbs.gov.np"/> |
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|rels = [[Hinduism]], [[Buddhism]], [[Islam]] |
|rels = [[Hinduism]], [[Buddhism]], [[Islam]] |
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|related = [[Indo-Aryan peoples]] |
|related = [[Indo-Aryan peoples]] |
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}} |
}} |
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The '''Madheshi''' (''Madhesī'', [[Devnagri]]: मधेशी) are |
The '''Madheshi''' (''Madhesī'', [[Devnagri]]: मधेशी) are [[Nepali people]] inhabitants of [[Terai]] of [[Nepal]] geographically a southern strip of the country stretching from Southeast to Northwest boarding Indian territory to the south east and west. Madhesi is a collection of different communities, and madhesi people doesn't represent a single ethinicity. The term Madhesh implies to the Gangetic plain and the Inner valley between Siwalik and the higher Mountain. The Terai region, which is mostly a flatland, is geographically and culturally distinct from the hills. According to the population census in 2011, it occupies 17 per cent of total area and 51per cent of the total population of Nepal. |
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The madhesi comprise a collection of different communities, and madhesi people doesn't represent a single ethinicity. The term [[Madhesh]] refers to the [[Gangetic plain]] and the inner valley between [[Siwalik]] and the higher mountains. |
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==Area and population== |
==Area and population== |
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The total land area of [[Madhesh]] (Terai) is less than 34,109 km<sup>2</sup> and it comprise 20 Districts which accounts for 23.1% of the country's total area but it includes [[Inner Terai]] regions and [[Sivalik Hills]] also. In 2001, 47.79 of the country's total population of 23.2 million lived in [[Madhesh]] districts with a density of 329 persons/km<sup>2</sup>. While in 2011 more than 50% of the total population was reported to be living in [[Madhesh]] plain and Bhitri (inner Madhesh) together cover 20%-25% of the country's total area. The people of [[Madhesh]] origin (generally [[Madhesi]]) compromised about 35.9% country's population of which 32% is said to be resided in their native land [[Madhesh]] of Southern [[Nepal]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nepal.gov.np|title=Madhesi population declared by Nepal Census of 2011}}</ref> |
The total land area of [[Madhesh]] (Terai) is less than 34,109 km<sup>2</sup> and it comprise 20 Districts which accounts for 23.1% of the country's total area but it includes [[Inner Terai]] regions and [[Sivalik Hills]] also. In 2001, 47.79 of the country's total population of 23.2 million lived in [[Madhesh]] districts with a density of 329 persons/km<sup>2</sup>. While in 2011 more than 50% of the total population was reported to be living in [[Madhesh]] plain and Bhitri (inner Madhesh) together cover 20%-25% of the country's total area. The people of [[Madhesh]] origin (generally [[Madhesi]]) compromised about 35.9% country's population of which 32% is said to be resided in their native land [[Madhesh]] of Southern [[Nepal]]. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://nepal.gov.np|title=Madhesi population declared by Nepal Census of 2011}}</ref> |
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==Etmology== |
==Etmology== |
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== Indigeneous Madhesi == |
== Indigeneous Madhesi == |
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'''Indigeneous Madhesi''' ([[Nepali language|Nepali]]:आदिवासी मधेशी ) are the original Nepali inhabitants of [[Madhesh|Terai-Madhesh]] such as [[ |
'''Indigeneous Madhesi''' ([[Nepali language|Nepali]]:आदिवासी मधेशी ) are the original Nepali inhabitants of [[Madhesh|Terai-Madhesh]] such as [[Nepali Maithil]], [[Nepali Muslims]] and [[Tharu people]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://madhesh.org/articles/origin-of-madhesi-voice-a-glance-on-historical-chapters/|title= History on Madheshi people of Nepali origin indigeneous to Terai (Madhesh) - Madhesh.org}}</ref> |
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They are native to [[Nepal]] and not the migrants from neighbouring countries. |
They are native to [[Nepal]] and not the migrants from neighbouring countries. |
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<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nepalofficers.blogspot.com/2011/10/indigenous-madhesi-dalit-disable-and.html|title= Report on Indigeneous Madhesh people are native to Nepal. Author: Krishna H. Pushkar Issued by: secretery of Government of Nepal}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nepalmonitor.com/2007/09/the_madhesi_movement_prospects_for_peace_in_nepal_.html|title= Madhesi people especially indigeneous one are of Nepali origin as they were born or have descendents in Terai-Madhesh of Nepal}}</ref> |
<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nepalofficers.blogspot.com/2011/10/indigenous-madhesi-dalit-disable-and.html|title= Report on Indigeneous Madhesh people are native to Nepal. Author: Krishna H. Pushkar Issued by: secretery of Government of Nepal}}</ref> <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nepalmonitor.com/2007/09/the_madhesi_movement_prospects_for_peace_in_nepal_.html|title= Madhesi people especially indigeneous one are of Nepali origin as they were born or have descendents in Terai-Madhesh of Nepal}}</ref> |
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== Non-Madhesi == |
== Non-Madhesi == |
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'''Non-Madhesi''' |
'''Non-Madhesi''' |
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([[Nepali language|Nepali]]:गैर मधेशी) refers to immigrants from Indian states of [[Bihar]] and [[Uttar pradesh]] who settled in [[Madhesh|Terai-Madhesh of Nepal]]. These immigrants people claim themeselves to be '''Madhesi''' although they are considered to be [[Nepalese people of Indian ancestry|Nepalese people of Indian origin]]<ref>[[Nepalese people of Indian ancestry|Non-Madhesis are immigrants of Indian origin]]</ref> by Indigeneous Madhesi people. '''Non-Madhesi''' have 60% lexial similarity in culture to that of '''Indigeneous madhesi''' but they were neither born in [[Nepal]] nor the original inhabitants of [[Madhesh]]. '''Constitution of Nepal 2063''' declared these immigrants as [[Nepali people]] of [[Madhesi]] ethnicity although '''Indigeneous Madhesi''' doesn't consider these immigrants as Madhesi ethnic groups as they were migrants of Indian origin not born in [[Madhesh]] of [[Nepal]]. Since, the government has already accepted these immigrants as Madhesi, they comprises about One-third of total Madhesi population.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiaforums.com/news/nepal/17075-indian-origin-madhesis-in-nepal-protest-discrimination.htm|title= Madhesi of Indian origin (Non-Madhesi)}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://drdivas.wordpress.com/2008/01/09/nepal-the-madhesi-movement-lessons-2007/|title= Non-Madhesi and Indigeneous madhesi both protested for One Madhesi title}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.idsa.in/event/MadhesiProblemandImplicationsforIndia.html|title=Many Madhesis are of Indian origin so called Non-Madhesis}}</ref> |
([[Nepali language|Nepali]]:गैर मधेशी) refers to immigrants from Indian states of [[Bihar]] and [[Uttar pradesh]] who settled in [[Madhesh|Terai-Madhesh of Nepal]]. These immigrants people claim themeselves to be '''Madhesi''' although they are considered to be [[Nepalese people of Indian ancestry|Nepalese people of Indian origin]]<ref>[[Nepalese people of Indian ancestry|Non-Madhesis are immigrants of Indian origin]]</ref> by Indigeneous Madhesi people. '''Non-Madhesi''' have 60% lexial similarity in culture to that of '''Indigeneous madhesi''' but they were neither born in [[Nepal]] nor the original inhabitants of [[Madhesh|Madhesh]]. '''Constitution of Nepal 2063''' declared these immigrants as [[Nepali people]] of [[Madhesi]] ethnicity although '''Indigeneous Madhesi''' doesn't consider these immigrants as Madhesi ethnic groups as they were migrants of Indian origin not born in [[Madhesh]] of [[Nepal]]. Since, the government has already accepted these immigrants as Madhesi , they comprises about One-third of total Madhesi population.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiaforums.com/news/nepal/17075-indian-origin-madhesis-in-nepal-protest-discrimination.htm|title= Madhesi of Indian origin (Non-Madhesi)}}</ref> <ref>{{cite web|url=http://drdivas.wordpress.com/2008/01/09/nepal-the-madhesi-movement-lessons-2007/|title= Non-Madhesi and Indigeneous madhesi both protested for One Madhesi title}}</ref> <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.idsa.in/event/MadhesiProblemandImplicationsforIndia.html|title=Many Madhesis are of Indian origin so called Non-Madhesis}}</ref> |
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==Religion== |
==Religion== |
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===Cuisine === |
===Cuisine === |
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Food in [[Madhesh]] ('''Terai''') south of ''[[Sivalik Hills]]'' refers to mirror cuisines such as ''[[Maithil]] |
Food in [[Madhesh]] ('''Terai''') south of ''[[Sivalik Hills]]'' refers to mirror cuisines such as ''[[Maithil|Maithili]] cuisine''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mithilacuisine.blogspot.com/ |title=Nepali Mithila Cuisine |publisher=Mithilacuisine.blogspot.com |date= |accessdate=12 September 2010}}</ref> in the east, ''Tharu cuisine'' in the west, and ''[[Bhojpuri cuisine]]'' in the center and near west of [[Madhesh]] region of [[Nepal]]. Further west, there is [[Mughlai cuisine|''Mughlai'']]-influenced ''[[Awadhi cuisine]]''—particularly eaten by the substantial Muslim population around [[Nepalganj]]. Madhesi diets can be more varied than in the Middle Hills because of greater variety of crops grown locally plus cash crops imported from cooler microclimates in nearby hill regions, as well as from different parts of [[Greater Nepal]]. Fruit commonly grown in the [[Terai]] include [[mango]] (''aap''), [[lychee|litchi]], [[papaya]] (''armewa/mewa''), [[banana]] (''kera/kela'') and [[jackfruit]] (''katahar/katahal''). |
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[[Nepal]] has seven low elevation [[Inner Terai Valleys of Nepal|Inner Terai valleys]] enclosed by the [[Sivalik Hills|Sivalik]] and [[Mahabharat Range|Mahabharat]] ranges. Historically these valleys were extremely [[malaria]]l and populated mainly by the [[Tharu people|''Tharu'']] and [[Maithil people]] who had genetic resistance. Since the valleys were isolated from one another, different Tharu enclaves spoke different dialects and had different customs. They may have had different cuisines, although this has not been very well studied. Nevertheless most Tharu historically obtained a varied diet through hunting and gathering as well as shifting agriculture and animal husbandry. This contrasted with diets of Pahari Hindus that were predominantly agricultural and utilized only a few sources of animal protein because of [[Diet in Hinduism|religious or caste prohibitions]]. In the 1950s when Nepal opened its borders to foreigners and foreign aid missions, malaria suppression programs in the Inner Madhesh finally made it possible for people without genetic resistance to survive there, so the Tharu and Maithil faced an influx of people fleeing land and food deficits in the [[Geography of Nepal#The Hill Region|hills]]. Conversion of forest and grassland to cropland and prohibitions on hunting shifted the Tharu and Maithil in east and west away from land-based hunting and gathering, toward greater utilization of fish,<ref>[http://tharuculture.blogspot.com/2013/05/fishing-and-tharus.html VOICE OF THARUS: Fishing and the Tharus including Maithil<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> [[freshwater crab]], [[Atyidae|prawns]] and [[Freshwater snail|snails]] from rivers and ponds. Tharu also raise chickens and are reported to employ dogs to hunt rats in rice paddies and then roast them whole on sticks. Mutton may be obtained from [[Nomadic pastoralism|nomadic]] hill people such as [[Kham Magar]] who take herds of sheep and goats up to sub-alpine pastures bordering the high Himalaya in summer, and down to Inner Madhesh valleys in winter. Increasing competition for land forces the Tharu and Maithil people away from [[shifting cultivation]] toward sedentary agriculture, so the national custom of eating rice with lentils gains headway. Nevertheless the Tharu or Maithil also have unique ways of preparing these staples, such as rice and lentil dumplings called ''bagiya'' or ''dhikri''<ref>[http://www.tharuculture.blogspot.com/2012/12/bagiya-rice-flour-dumplings-made-tharu.html VOICE OF THARUS: Bagiya – the rice flour dumplings made the Tharu way<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> and immature rice is used to make a kind of gruel ''maar''. [[Taro]] root is an important crop in the region. The leaves and roots are eaten. ''Sidhara''<ref>[http://tharuculture.blogspot.com/2011/12/sidhara-colocasia-concoction.html VOICE OF THARUS: Sidhara – the colocasia concoction<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> is a mixture of [[taro]] root, dried fish and [[turmeric]] that is formed into cakes and dried for preservation. The cakes are broken up and cooked with radish, chili, garlic and other spices to accompany boiled rice. Snails are cleansed, boiled and spiced to make ''ghonghi''.<ref>[http://tharuculture.blogspot.com/2011/12/excuse-me-its-escargot.html VOICE OF THARUS: Excuse me, it’s escargot!<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Another short compendium of Tharu and Maithil recipes<ref>[http://tharuculture.blogspot.com/2013/07/three-mouth-watering-tharu-dishes.html VOICE OF THARUS: Three mouth-watering Tharu dishes<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> includes roasted crab, wheat flatbread fried in mustard oil, and fried taro leaf cakes. |
[[Nepal]] has seven low elevation [[Inner Terai Valleys of Nepal|Inner Terai valleys]] enclosed by the [[Sivalik Hills|Sivalik]] and [[Mahabharat Range|Mahabharat]] ranges. Historically these valleys were extremely [[malaria]]l and populated mainly by the [[Tharu people|''Tharu'']] and [[Maithil people]] who had genetic resistance. Since the valleys were isolated from one another, different Tharu enclaves spoke different dialects and had different customs. They may have had different cuisines, although this has not been very well studied. Nevertheless most Tharu historically obtained a varied diet through hunting and gathering as well as shifting agriculture and animal husbandry. This contrasted with diets of Pahari Hindus that were predominantly agricultural and utilized only a few sources of animal protein because of [[Diet in Hinduism|religious or caste prohibitions]]. In the 1950s when Nepal opened its borders to foreigners and foreign aid missions, malaria suppression programs in the Inner Madhesh finally made it possible for people without genetic resistance to survive there, so the Tharu and Maithil faced an influx of people fleeing land and food deficits in the [[Geography of Nepal#The Hill Region|hills]]. Conversion of forest and grassland to cropland and prohibitions on hunting shifted the Tharu and Maithil in east and west away from land-based hunting and gathering, toward greater utilization of fish,<ref>[http://tharuculture.blogspot.com/2013/05/fishing-and-tharus.html VOICE OF THARUS: Fishing and the Tharus including Maithil<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> [[freshwater crab]], [[Atyidae|prawns]] and [[Freshwater snail|snails]] from rivers and ponds. Tharu also raise chickens and are reported to employ dogs to hunt rats in rice paddies and then roast them whole on sticks. Mutton may be obtained from [[Nomadic pastoralism|nomadic]] hill people such as [[Kham Magar]] who take herds of sheep and goats up to sub-alpine pastures bordering the high Himalaya in summer, and down to Inner Madhesh valleys in winter. Increasing competition for land forces the Tharu and Maithil people away from [[shifting cultivation]] toward sedentary agriculture, so the national custom of eating rice with lentils gains headway. Nevertheless the Tharu or Maithil also have unique ways of preparing these staples, such as rice and lentil dumplings called ''bagiya'' or ''dhikri''<ref>[http://www.tharuculture.blogspot.com/2012/12/bagiya-rice-flour-dumplings-made-tharu.html VOICE OF THARUS: Bagiya – the rice flour dumplings made the Tharu way<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> and immature rice is used to make a kind of gruel ''maar''. [[Taro]] root is an important crop in the region. The leaves and roots are eaten. ''Sidhara''<ref>[http://tharuculture.blogspot.com/2011/12/sidhara-colocasia-concoction.html VOICE OF THARUS: Sidhara – the colocasia concoction<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> is a mixture of [[taro]] root, dried fish and [[turmeric]] that is formed into cakes and dried for preservation. The cakes are broken up and cooked with radish, chili, garlic and other spices to accompany boiled rice. Snails are cleansed, boiled and spiced to make ''ghonghi''.<ref>[http://tharuculture.blogspot.com/2011/12/excuse-me-its-escargot.html VOICE OF THARUS: Excuse me, it’s escargot!<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Another short compendium of Tharu and Maithil recipes<ref>[http://tharuculture.blogspot.com/2013/07/three-mouth-watering-tharu-dishes.html VOICE OF THARUS: Three mouth-watering Tharu dishes<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> includes roasted crab, wheat flatbread fried in mustard oil, and fried taro leaf cakes. |
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==Political Parties== |
==Political Parties== |
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* [[Madhesi |
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Jana Adhikar Forum, Nepal|MJF Nepal]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mprfn.org/|title=Madhesi Jana Adhikar Nepali Forum - Popular in Nepali Politics}}</ref> |
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==Notable |
==Notable People== |
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The following are notable people of Madhesi ethnicity. |
The following are notable people of [[Madhesi]] ethnicity. |
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* [[Ram Baran Yadav|Dr. Ram Baran Yadav]], (President and Head of State of Nepal) was born in [[Dhanusa District]] of [[Mithila, Nepal|Mithila region in Nepal]]. He is the current and first [[President of Nepal|President]] of [[Nepal]]. He was elected in July 2008 and is the country's first President. He previously served as Minister of Health and as General Secretary of the [[Nepali Congress]] party.<ref>[[Ram Baran Yadav]]</ref> |
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* [[Anita Yadav]], [[First Lady of Nepal]] and [[First Daughter of Nepal]]. |
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* [[Janak|Seeradhwaj Janaka]], king of Videha |
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* [[Buddha]] (Light of [[Asia]] and founder of [[Buddhism]])<ref>[[buddha|Buddha who was born in Madhesh of Nepal becames the light of Asia]]</ref> |
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* [[Janak|King Janak]] (King of [[Videha]] ruling from Capital city of [[Janakpur]] in [[Nepal]])<ref>[[Janak|Nepali King of Madhesi ethnicity]]</ref> |
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* [[Sita]] (Nepali Princess of Madhesi ethnicity, also a wife of Indian Prince [[Rama]])<ref>[[Sita|Nepali Princess of Madhesi ethnicity]]</ref> |
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* [[Anil Mandal]], Nepalese cricketer |
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* [[Durgananda Jha]] (Social Activist)<ref>[[Durgananda Jha|Madhesi social activist]]</ref> |
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* [[Udit Narayan]], playback singer |
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* [[ |
* [[Bijay Kumar Gachchhadar]] (Nepalese politician)<ref>[[Bijay Kumar Gachchhadar|Gachhedar a Madhesi politician]]</ref> |
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* [[Udit Narayan]] was born in [[Saptari District]] is a [[Nepali people|Nepali]] [[playback singer]] in commercial [[Nepali language]], [[Maithili language|Maithili]], [[Kannada]], [[Hindi language|Hindii]], [[Urdu]], [[Bhojpuri]], Garhwali, [[Sindhi language|Sindhi]], [[Tamil language|Tamil]], [[Telugu films|Telugu]], [[Malayalam]], [[Oriya language|Oriya]], [[Assamese language|Assamese]], and [[Bengali language|Bengali]] language cinema. Narayan has sung in 32 different languages.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=139917 |title= Destiny’s child |accessdate=2009-01-26 |last= Suhasini |first= Lalitha |coauthors= |date= 19 July 2005 |work= The Indian Express |publisher=}}</ref> He has won three [[National Film Awards (India)|National Film Awards]] and five [[Filmfare Awards]]. In 2001, he was awarded the '''Prabal Gorkha Dakshin Bahu''' by the late [[King of Nepal]] [[Birendra of Nepal|'Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev']] and declared the '''King of Melody'''. |
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* [[Upendra Yadav]] : (Nepalese Madhesi Janaadhikar Forum Nepal's politician) |
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* [[Ram Raja Prasad Singh]], Nepalese politician |
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* [[Ram Baran Yadav]], President and Head of State of Nepal, born in Dhanusa District of Mithila region. |
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* [[ |
* [[Anil Mandal]] : Nepalese cricketer |
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* [[Gajendra Narayan Singh]] : Nepalese politician. He founded the Nepal Sadbhawana Party (NSP) in 1985 |
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* [[C. K. Raut]] : former US-based computer scientist, author and social activist from Saptari district, Nepal |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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* [[Demographics of Nepal]] |
* [[Demographics of Nepal]] |
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* [[Inner Terai]] |
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* [[Madhesh]] |
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* [[Nepal]] |
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==References== |
==References== |
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Revision as of 15:43, 31 December 2014
| Regions with significant populations | |
|---|---|
 Nepal | ±35% total population, Total population Around 8500000 (2011)[1][2][3][4] |
| Languages | |
| Maithali, Bhojpuri, Urdu, Awadhi, Tharu, Bajjika, Nepali, Rana-Tharu, Rajbanshi Magahi etc.[1] | |
| Religion | |
| Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Indo-Aryan peoples | |
The Madheshi (Madhesī, Devnagri: मधेशी) are Nepali people inhabitants of Terai of Nepal geographically a southern strip of the country stretching from Southeast to Northwest boarding Indian territory to the south east and west. Madhesi is a collection of different communities, and madhesi people doesn't represent a single ethinicity. The term Madhesh implies to the Gangetic plain and the Inner valley between Siwalik and the higher Mountain. The Terai region, which is mostly a flatland, is geographically and culturally distinct from the hills. According to the population census in 2011, it occupies 17 per cent of total area and 51per cent of the total population of Nepal.
Area and population
The total land area of Madhesh (Terai) is less than 34,109 km2 and it comprise 20 Districts which accounts for 23.1% of the country's total area but it includes Inner Terai regions and Sivalik Hills also. In 2001, 47.79 of the country's total population of 23.2 million lived in Madhesh districts with a density of 329 persons/km2. While in 2011 more than 50% of the total population was reported to be living in Madhesh plain and Bhitri (inner Madhesh) together cover 20%-25% of the country's total area. The people of Madhesh origin (generally Madhesi) compromised about 35.9% country's population of which 32% is said to be resided in their native land Madhesh of Southern Nepal. [5]
Etmology
The word madhesi or madheshi is the adjectival form of madhesh, which usually refers to the only Terai region within Nepalese territory. Madhesh (मधेश) derives from the Sanskrit words Madhya Desh (मध्य देश), meaning "middle country."[6]
Indigeneous Madhesi
Indigeneous Madhesi (Nepali:आदिवासी मधेशी ) are the original Nepali inhabitants of Terai-Madhesh such as Nepali Maithil, Nepali Muslims and Tharu people.[7] They are native to Nepal and not the migrants from neighbouring countries. [8] [9]
Non-Madhesi
Non-Madhesi (Nepali:गैर मधेशी) refers to immigrants from Indian states of Bihar and Uttar pradesh who settled in Terai-Madhesh of Nepal. These immigrants people claim themeselves to be Madhesi although they are considered to be Nepalese people of Indian origin[10] by Indigeneous Madhesi people. Non-Madhesi have 60% lexial similarity in culture to that of Indigeneous madhesi but they were neither born in Nepal nor the original inhabitants of Madhesh. Constitution of Nepal 2063 declared these immigrants as Nepali people of Madhesi ethnicity although Indigeneous Madhesi doesn't consider these immigrants as Madhesi ethnic groups as they were migrants of Indian origin not born in Madhesh of Nepal. Since, the government has already accepted these immigrants as Madhesi , they comprises about One-third of total Madhesi population.[11] [12] [13]
Religion
While the majority of Madhesis are caste-observant Hindus, there is great cultural and religious diversity in the Madhesh. Two closely synchronized religious groups – Hindus -and Buddhists – live there. The social structure of Madhesi caste Hindus is somewhat similar to that of Terai immgrants Pahadi Hindus from hills of Nepal.[14][15][16]
Language
Maithili and Tharu is the mother languages of Maithili and Tharu people respectively. Maithili is the most spoken language of Madhesi people at around 53% of them. At around 12% of the total Nepali people are Maithili speakers. most Other Significant mother tongue languages includes Nepali, Bhojpuri, Awadhi, Urdu and Bajika and although lingua franca language of Nepali people is Nepali language, in Terai particularly and among Madhesi people, it is Maithali, which is official language of Terai-Madhesh. Hindi-Urdu was a lingua franca before monarchy in Nepal mainly spoken by Nepali Muslims and Newar Muslim.[17]
Cuisine
Food in Madhesh (Terai) south of Sivalik Hills refers to mirror cuisines such as Maithili cuisine[18] in the east, Tharu cuisine in the west, and Bhojpuri cuisine in the center and near west of Madhesh region of Nepal. Further west, there is Mughlai-influenced Awadhi cuisine—particularly eaten by the substantial Muslim population around Nepalganj. Madhesi diets can be more varied than in the Middle Hills because of greater variety of crops grown locally plus cash crops imported from cooler microclimates in nearby hill regions, as well as from different parts of Greater Nepal. Fruit commonly grown in the Terai include mango (aap), litchi, papaya (armewa/mewa), banana (kera/kela) and jackfruit (katahar/katahal).
Nepal has seven low elevation Inner Terai valleys enclosed by the Sivalik and Mahabharat ranges. Historically these valleys were extremely malarial and populated mainly by the Tharu and Maithil people who had genetic resistance. Since the valleys were isolated from one another, different Tharu enclaves spoke different dialects and had different customs. They may have had different cuisines, although this has not been very well studied. Nevertheless most Tharu historically obtained a varied diet through hunting and gathering as well as shifting agriculture and animal husbandry. This contrasted with diets of Pahari Hindus that were predominantly agricultural and utilized only a few sources of animal protein because of religious or caste prohibitions. In the 1950s when Nepal opened its borders to foreigners and foreign aid missions, malaria suppression programs in the Inner Madhesh finally made it possible for people without genetic resistance to survive there, so the Tharu and Maithil faced an influx of people fleeing land and food deficits in the hills. Conversion of forest and grassland to cropland and prohibitions on hunting shifted the Tharu and Maithil in east and west away from land-based hunting and gathering, toward greater utilization of fish,[19] freshwater crab, prawns and snails from rivers and ponds. Tharu also raise chickens and are reported to employ dogs to hunt rats in rice paddies and then roast them whole on sticks. Mutton may be obtained from nomadic hill people such as Kham Magar who take herds of sheep and goats up to sub-alpine pastures bordering the high Himalaya in summer, and down to Inner Madhesh valleys in winter. Increasing competition for land forces the Tharu and Maithil people away from shifting cultivation toward sedentary agriculture, so the national custom of eating rice with lentils gains headway. Nevertheless the Tharu or Maithil also have unique ways of preparing these staples, such as rice and lentil dumplings called bagiya or dhikri[20] and immature rice is used to make a kind of gruel maar. Taro root is an important crop in the region. The leaves and roots are eaten. Sidhara[21] is a mixture of taro root, dried fish and turmeric that is formed into cakes and dried for preservation. The cakes are broken up and cooked with radish, chili, garlic and other spices to accompany boiled rice. Snails are cleansed, boiled and spiced to make ghonghi.[22] Another short compendium of Tharu and Maithil recipes[23] includes roasted crab, wheat flatbread fried in mustard oil, and fried taro leaf cakes.
Political Parties
- [[Madhesi
Jana Adhikar Forum, Nepal|MJF Nepal]][24]
Notable People
The following are notable people of Madhesi ethnicity.
- Dr. Ram Baran Yadav, (President and Head of State of Nepal) was born in Dhanusa District of Mithila region in Nepal. He is the current and first President of Nepal. He was elected in July 2008 and is the country's first President. He previously served as Minister of Health and as General Secretary of the Nepali Congress party.[25]
- Anita Yadav, First Lady of Nepal and First Daughter of Nepal.
- Bishow Sharma, Nepali actor and Black-belt in Taikowndo
- Buddha (Light of Asia and founder of Buddhism)[26]
- King Janak (King of Videha ruling from Capital city of Janakpur in Nepal)[27]
- Sita (Nepali Princess of Madhesi ethnicity, also a wife of Indian Prince Rama)[28]
- Durgananda Jha (Social Activist)[29]
- Bijay Kumar Gachchhadar (Nepalese politician)[30]
- Udit Narayan was born in Saptari District is a Nepali playback singer in commercial Nepali language, Maithili, Kannada, Hindii, Urdu, Bhojpuri, Garhwali, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Oriya, Assamese, and Bengali language cinema. Narayan has sung in 32 different languages.[31] He has won three National Film Awards and five Filmfare Awards. In 2001, he was awarded the Prabal Gorkha Dakshin Bahu by the late King of Nepal 'Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev' and declared the King of Melody.
- Upendra Yadav : (Nepalese Madhesi Janaadhikar Forum Nepal's politician)
- Parmananda Jha : First Vice president of Nepal
- Ram Raja Prasad Singh : Nepalese politician
- Anil Mandal : Nepalese cricketer
- Mehboob Alam : Nepalese cricketer
- Gajendra Narayan Singh : Nepalese politician. He founded the Nepal Sadbhawana Party (NSP) in 1985
- Rajendra Mahato : Nepalese politician of Nepal Sadbhavana Party
- Baban Singh : Nepalese member of parliament and politician
- C. K. Raut : former US-based computer scientist, author and social activist from Saptari district, Nepal
See also
References
- ^ a b http://cbs.gov.np/
- ^ "Madhesi are 38% of total population - Nepal Census Bureau of Statistics, 2001 A.D".
- ^
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain. Savada, Andrea Matles, ed. (1991). Nepal: A Country Study. Federal Research Division. Social Classes and Stratification.
- ^ Shrestha, Manesh (2008-03-19). "Three Nepali Madhesi killed in pre-election violence in Nepal". CNN online. Retrieved 2011-05-07.
- ^ "Madhesi population declared by Nepal Census of 2011".
- ^ This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain. Savada, Andrea Matles, ed. (1991). Nepal: A Country Study. Federal Research Division. Ethnic Groups.
- ^ "History on Madheshi people of Nepali origin indigeneous to Terai (Madhesh) - Madhesh.org".
- ^ "Report on Indigeneous Madhesh people are native to Nepal. Author: Krishna H. Pushkar Issued by: secretery of Government of Nepal".
- ^ "Madhesi people especially indigeneous one are of Nepali origin as they were born or have descendents in Terai-Madhesh of Nepal".
- ^ Non-Madhesis are immigrants of Indian origin
- ^ "Madhesi of Indian origin (Non-Madhesi)".
- ^ "Non-Madhesi and Indigeneous madhesi both protested for One Madhesi title".
- ^ "Many Madhesis are of Indian origin so called Non-Madhesis".
- ^ This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain. Savada, Andrea Matles, ed. (1991). Nepal: A Country Study. Federal Research Division. Religion and Society.
- ^ This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain. Savada, Andrea Matles, ed. (1991). Nepal: A Country Study. Federal Research Division. Hinduism.
- ^ Lawoti, Mahendra (2005). Towards a democratic Nepal: inclusive political institutions for a multicultural society. SAGE. pp. 91–98, 126. ISBN 0-7619-3318-2.
- ^ Yadava, Yogendra P. "Linguistic Diversity in Nepal Perspectives on Language Policy" (PDF). Tribhuvan University, Centre for Nepal and Asian Studies. Retrieved 31 August 2014.
- ^ "Nepali Mithila Cuisine". Mithilacuisine.blogspot.com. Retrieved 12 September 2010.
- ^ VOICE OF THARUS: Fishing and the Tharus including Maithil
- ^ VOICE OF THARUS: Bagiya – the rice flour dumplings made the Tharu way
- ^ VOICE OF THARUS: Sidhara – the colocasia concoction
- ^ VOICE OF THARUS: Excuse me, it’s escargot!
- ^ VOICE OF THARUS: Three mouth-watering Tharu dishes
- ^ "Madhesi Jana Adhikar Nepali Forum - Popular in Nepali Politics".
- ^ Ram Baran Yadav
- ^ Buddha who was born in Madhesh of Nepal becames the light of Asia
- ^ Nepali King of Madhesi ethnicity
- ^ Nepali Princess of Madhesi ethnicity
- ^ Madhesi social activist
- ^ Gachhedar a Madhesi politician
- ^ Suhasini, Lalitha (19 July 2005). "Destiny's child". The Indian Express. Retrieved 2009-01-26.
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Further reading
Deepak Chaudhary. 2011. Tarai/Madhesh of Nepal; An Anthropological Study. Kathmandu: Ratna Pustak Bhandar.